Primary Instrumental Programme: Primary 2 – Primary 7

“Let us take our children seriously! Everything else follows from this… only the best is good enough for a child.” — Zoltán Kodály

Primary Instrumental Programme: Primary 2 – Primary 7

Begin your child’s journey to learning a musical instrument with our specialist group classes designed for children from Primary 2. Children will attend weekly group instrumental lessons and interactive musicianship classes.

All classes will take place on Sundays during term-time. You can expect to take part in play-based, interactive activities designed to align with developmental milestones for your child.

Led by a team of professional music specialists, these sessions are designed to introduce children to music-making and playing.

Inspired by Kodály methodology, children will develop skills in rhythm, pitch, co-ordination and imagination all of which enhance language development and confidence.

Musicianship

The practical musicianship classes aim to increase students’ appreciation and understanding of music in a wider context, enabling them to develop as better all-round musicians. Each level has been carefully designed to help students realise their full potential for enjoying and understanding music as performers and listeners.

Classes will explore a variety of skills, engaging children in aural, kinaesthetic and cognitive learning and the practical content of sessions ensures that students develop a confident and competent understanding of each skill presented.

Class sizes are capped to ensure the optimum learning environment and an enjoyable class experience.

Instrumental Lessons

For beginner students in Primary 2 and Primary 3, children can access group instrumental lessons on the following instruments:

• Piano/Keyboard
• Violin
• Viola
• Cello
• Double Bass

For beginner students in Primary 4 and 5, we offer tuition in wind, brass and percussion instruments. More details can be found here.

All students receiving instrumental lessons, must attend the musicianship class relevant to their age and stage. If you are interested in piano lessons, you will need a piano or weighted keyboard at home. RCS have a limited supply of string instruments which can be loaned for a small fee.

Our application form for session 2023-24 is now closed.

If you have any further queries, please email PrimaryInstrumental@rcs.ac.uk

Musicianship

All students attend a 45-minute musicianship class relevant to their school year. These courses are a compulsory part of the programme for each student.

Instrumental Lessons

Students also attend a weekly 30-minute instrumental lesson and begin learning in groups. We offer group instrumental tuition in various instruments for the following ages:

Beginner Students in Primary 2-3

• Piano/keyboard
• Strings: violin, viola, cello and double bass

Beginner Students in Primary 4-5

• Woodwind: flute, clarinet, saxophone
• Brass: trumpet, trombone, French horn
• Percussion (tuned and untuned)

Students will learn in groups for at least a year before moving into 1:1 lessons, subject to a progress review at the end of the first year of learning. Please note that we currently do not offer 1:1 tuition in woodwind, brass and percussion instruments.

Ensembles

String students in 1:1 lessons have an additional 45-minute String Ensemble class. All woodwind, brass and percussion students take part in an additional 45-minute Wind Ensemble class.

If you have any further queries, please email PrimaryInstrumental@rcs.ac.uk

Our application form for session 2023-24 is now closed.

Please be advised that applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis in the event that the programme or a particular instrument is oversubscribed. Places on the programme are limited and unfortunately, we are unable to guarantee that we can offer a place to every applicant.

We offer various options for students at each age and stage of their learning.

Beginner students in Primary 2 and 3 can begin learning piano/keyboard or a string instrument (violin, viola, cello, double bass) in group lessons.

Beginner students in Primary 4 and 5 can begin learning a woodwind or brass instrument or percussion in group lessons.

Students in Primary 2 and 3 who are already having lessons on their chosen instrument may apply to have 1:1 lessons on this programme, subject to capacity and staff availability.

Students in Primary 4+ who are already having lessons on their chosen instrument should make an application and audition for our Pre-Junior programme instead.

Unfortunately, we do not offer lessons to beginner students in Primary 6-7.

If you have any further queries, please email PrimaryInstrumental@rcs.ac.uk

Term Dates 2022/23

Term 1: 10 September — 10 December 2023
Term 2: 7 January — 17 March 2024
Term 3: 21 April — 16 June 2024

Tuition Fees 2023/24

Musicianship + Instrumental Lessons + Ensemble (if applicable)

£790 – £1445 for 30 weeks of tuition

Please note that musicianship classes are a compulsory element of the Early Years Music and Primary Instrumental Programme. All students receiving instrumental lessons must also attend the musicianship class appropriate to their school year.

Please view our Primary Instrumental Programme Terms and Conditions.