Keyboard: Intermediate (ages 9-17, Grade 4-7)

ABRSM or equivalent Grade 4-7 Level

To join the programme, applicants must undergo a pre-selection process and submit a video recording of a piece of their choice, no longer than 5 minutes. Recordings can be uploaded to your online application form as an unlisted YouTube link. This can be done using your mobile phone, tablet or any other recording device. Please note that the video should clearly show the pianist’s head, arms, and hands. We recommend that the camera remain in a fixed position, ensuring these areas are visible at all times.

Morning Sessions

1:1 Lessons: Individual sessions focused on personal goals and repertoire.

Technical Development Workshops: Small-group sessions to enhance technical proficiency, including scales and finger exercises.

Afternoon Sessions

Group Sessions: Collaborative activities, including sight-reading, ear-training, and ensemble playing.

Sight-Reading Practice: Group exercises with guided feedback to improve accuracy and speed.

Individual Lessons
One-to-one lessons will focus on student’s interpretation, technical skills, existing repertoire and understanding of the instrument.

Group Activities
Collaborative sessions will enhance musicianship, including:

• Sight-Reading Games: Build fluency and confidence through guided group exercises.
• Ensemble Play and Improvisation: Explore creativity and teamwork with collaborative playing sessions.
• Ear-Training and Aural Skills: Develop a sharp ear for intervals, chords, and rhythms through interactive group sessions.
• Alexander Technique: Improve posture, reduce unnecessary tension, and develop efficient movement patterns, leading to greater ease and fluidity in playing.
• Harpsichord group sessions: Develop a deeper stylistic understanding of Baroque music through touch, expression, and ornamentation. Students are welcome to bring a piece of their own to explore how best to make the instrument expressive. Some music will also be provided for them to take away.

Technique Sessions
Group sessions will focus on strengthening core technical skills, including scales, arpeggios, and finger exercises, providing a solid foundation for greater control and precision.

Practice Skills Sessions
Staff will provide guidance on practicing efficiently and developing habits to make practice time more productive and rewarding.

End-of-Week Performance/Sharing
Students will showcase their progress in an informal concert celebrating their achievements in a relaxed, supportive setting.

Competition
During the summer school, a private semi-final round will be held, during which pianists will perform pieces from their full programme as selected by the jury. Those who do not advance to the final will have the chance to perform in a sharing concert on Thursday evening. The public final of the competition is scheduled for Friday, 11th July 2025.

Students should bring bottled water. Lunch is not provided so bring a packed lunch or money to buy food.

Students should also wear comfortable clothes during classes, and wear smart clothes for the sharing/competition.

Marianna Abrahamyan (Course Leader) 

Alina Horváth

Hui Baichuan

Julia Wallin

Isobel Anderson (Alexander Technique)

Jane Waterfield (Harpsichord)

Summer Accommodation

We are pleased to welcome students from across the world to our Summer Schools. Our course fees do not include accommodation or food, and these should be organised by the student. Our campus is located in Glasgow city centre, and you can find the addresses below.

We recommend Base Glasgow, as purpose-built accommodation for Conservatoire students, with Rehearsal Rooms, Practice spaces and Dance Studios. Base Glasgow is perfectly suited for our summer school students; both safe and secure, with 24/7 staff presence and only 3 mins walk from our main Renfrew Street building, keeping travel costs to a minimum.

Classic En-Suite rooms come with a 3/4 bed, en-suite bathroom, ample storage, mirror, study desk and chair. The shared area includes a spacious lounge and kitchen area.

Please note that Short Courses staff are not affiliated with BASE or on site outwith the summer school teaching hours, and therefore cannot take responsibility for students outside of these hours.

For more information about booking accommodation at BASE Glasgow you can contact them directly via website BASE – Student Accommodation in Glasgow or email baseglasgow@herestudents.com.

Alternatively, there are plenty of hotels, hostels, and b’n’b options available. We are located close to transport links should you wish to stay outside the city centre. If you are travelling to Glasgow for a course, we strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance that covers course fees, travel, accommodation, and cancellations due to COVID-19 – as RCS will not refund in this circumstance. You can view the Cancellations and Refund policy for full information.

For students under 18 years old, we strongly advise travelling with a responsible adult should any emergency situations arise during class. Students are only monitored by staff during class times.

Renfrew Street Campus: 100 Renfrew Street, Glasgow, G2 3DB
Wallace Studios Campus: 210 Garscube Road, Glasgow, G4 9RR