Are you an aspiring wind, brass or percussion student who wants the opportunity to play in a large wind orchestra? Spend a fun and immersive week making music, learning and performing in Scotland’s national conservatoire.

The National Youth Wind Ensemble of Scotland is for aspiring young brass, percussion and woodwind musicians who wish to further develop their musical skills and ensemble experience. Offered at two levels, for Intermediate and Senior instrumentalists, students will work with some of the UK’s finest musicians and educators to tackle a variety of fun and engaging repertoire from across the globe.

Participants will work with instrumental specialists in sectional rehearsals, as well as in full ensemble rehearsals, culminating in a public showcase concert at the end of the week.

See also the Senior level for musicians Grade 6+.

If you have any questions in advance of booking, please contact us at summerschools@rcs.ac.uk or (0044) 141 270 8213.

The National Youth Wind Ensemble of Scotland provides an opportunity for musicians to extend their performance experience at a national level.

Students on this summer course will all share a love of music and a desire to improve their skills in a constructive and fun environment.

Over five days, the ensemble will tackle a diverse and challenging mix of repertoire to be performed in a concert on the Friday afternoon at 4pm for friends and family at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.

As a student on this course, you will benefit from the chance to perform in smaller ensembles as well as receive coaching from highly experienced and professional teachers.

Course Leader

Matthew Chinn

Please see Entry Requirements tab for further information about the supporting materials which are required for application.

Payment of the balance of the tuition fee is payable once applicants have been notified that they have been successful in their application to the course and completed their booking.

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. Students under 16 years old are required to have a chaperone (two rooms required) on site.

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 out with 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@herestudent.com.

Please note BASE is currently undergoing a website and email refurbishment. BASE hope to open bookings in late December/early January. You can email now, and BASE will contact you with more information about rooms and fees when booking opens.

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

This summer school is for young wind players who are at Grade 3 -5 (ABRSM or equivalent).

Students on this course should want to:

• develop musically and technically
• build repertoire and performing experiences
• enhance their experience of playing in an ensemble
• meet other passionate wind players
• experience life as a full-time music student
• meet and work with full- time students from the Royal Conservatoire

You should be a minimum of Grade 3 ABRSM or equivalent to benefit fully from this summer school.

At the time of application, participants are asked to submit a short audio recording of no longer than 3 – 4 minutes in length which best demonstrates their current playing level.

Recordings can be uploaded to your online application form as an unlisted YouTube link or mp3. This can be done using your mobile phone, tablet or any hand held recording device.  No need to worry about recording quality, it is to assess whether this course is best suited to your current level.

Music will be handed out on the first day.

Please bring pencils and a rubber as well as any expendable items relative to your instrument, i.e. reeds, valve oil, mutes, etc.

Students should dress comfortably for ensemble playing and lessons. For the final concert, dress code will be all black – top, trousers/skirt, tights/socks, and shoes.

Please note this is a sample schedule which may change before the course start date:

Monday

• 9.30am – Registration Cafe Bar
• 9.45am – Welcome meeting and introduction to tutors
• 10am – Full Band
• 11.45am – Sectionals
• 12.45pm – Break for lunch
• 1.30pm – Sectionals
• 3pm- Break
• 3.30pm – Sectionals
• 5pm – Finish

Tuesday 

• 10am – Full Band
• 11.45am – Sectionals
• 12.45pm – Break for lunch
• 1.30pm – Sectionals
• 3pm- Break
• 3.30pm – Full Band
• 5pm – Finish

Wednesday 

• 10am – Sectionals
• 11.45am – Sectionals
• 12.45pm – Break for lunch
• 1.30pm – Sectionals
• 3pm- Break
• 3.30pm -Sectionals
• 5pm – Finish

Thursday 

• 10am – Full Band
• 11.45am – Sectionals
• 12.45pm – Break for lunch
• 1.30pm -Sectionals
• 3pm- Break
• 3.30pm – Full Band
• 5pm – Finish

Friday

• 10am – Full Band
• 11.45am – Sectionals
• 12.45pm – Break for lunch
• 1.30pm – Sectionals
• 3pm- Break
• 3.30pm – Tune Up
• 4pm – Concert for Family and Friends
• 6pm – Finish

Many of our students travel from across the world to join us for an open day, study on a short course or attend a summer school at the Royal Conservatoire. Our courses do not include accommodation and students are required to organise this independently.

Bespoke accommodation designed specifically for performing arts students, Base Glasgow is just minutes from the Royal Conservatoire’s two campuses at Renfrew Street and the Wallace Studios at Speirs Locks. You can save on transport costs while being close to all that the city has to offer, from theatres, music venues and shops to restaurants and bars.

Base Glasgow, is located on McPhater Street and is home to a stylish mix of contemporary shared flats and studio apartments, all of which are en- suite. It’s the only student accommodation in Scotland built to cater to the needs of performers, with five soundproofed practice spaces. It also has a cinema, gym and social living spaces.

Facilities include soundproofed practice and rehearsal spaces, on-site gym, up to 125Mbps Wi-Fi, all utility bills included, cinema, communal games room, communal study rooms and courtyard.

Please note that this accommodation is only for students aged 16+, places are strictly limited so please book early to avoid disappointment.

Summary of Base Glasgow offer:

Age of students: strictly 16yrs +

Cost: £171 per week

If you have any access requirements, Base Glasgow are happy to discuss accommodation arrangements to ensure they suit you.

The Conservatoire is not able to make reservations on your behalf.  Please contact Base Glasgow with any queries.

If you are having trouble finding accommodation, please contact us directly and we will aim to help you find somewhere to stay.

If you would prefer to stay in hostel, B&B or hotel, you can go to the Visit Scotland website for further options.

The course runs Monday 15 July – Friday 19 July, from 10am to 5pm. There will be a short sharing of the work students have been engaging with on the Friday afternoon for invited family and friends.

“I was nervous on the first day because I thought I wouldn’t be good enough. I learned so much in such a short space of time. I was buzzing for the Friday performance, I couldn’t wait for my Mum and Dad to hear us playing.” (2019 participant)

“Fantastic opportunity to play in a wind ensemble with a variety of people. Intensive week which leads to incredible performance after what was a short period of rehearsals.” (2019 participant)

“Had a great week learning new music in a FUN environment, made even better by the tutors making the sectionals fun. Also enjoyed meeting new friends.” (2019 participant)

“A summer opportunity for group music-making in a non-residential setting.” (2019 participant)

“A brilliant opportunity for any woodwind, brass or percussion student.  Incredible helpful tutors, very kind staff and a chance to perform in the Stevenson hall. A great chance to meet new people and try new genres of music.” (2018 participant)

“A fun and inspirational experience that allows young people to get together to make music. The course extended to children from all over the world allowing the young musicians of Scotland to meet people of many different cultures.” (2018 participant)

Agnes Allan Bursary

Agnes Allan was a teacher, passionate about inclusion, and this bursary scheme exists to offer support to students to participate in the performing or production arts.

The Agnes Allan Bursary provides some support to students who may require financial assistance to take part in a short course in dance, drama, music, production or screen.

Anyone who wishes to take part in our Short Courses and faces a financial barrier can apply for bursary support to help meet the cost of tuition fees.

More information about the Agnes Allan Bursary.