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In partnership with local authorities and supported by Youth Music Initiative funding, RCS Music Centres currently enable approximately 500 children and young people across the West of Scotland to discover the joy of making music. 

The centres are open access (non-auditioned) and through the Music Centre programme children and young people are offered instrumental lessons delivered in small groups, practical musicianship classes and the opportunity to play in a string orchestra setting. Classes are run weekly by a team of professional music specialists and are designed to give young learners a high-quality, cohesive music education, delivered in a fun and inspiring environment. 

We currently run centres in the following areas:

  • East Ayrshire, Dumfries House for pupils P6 – S6 (Classical Strings)
  • Bannockburn, Stirling for pupils P4 – S6 (Classical Strings)
  • Callander, Stirling for pupils P4 – S6 (Traditional Music)
  • Armadale, West Lothian for pupils P4 – S6 (Classical Strings)
  • Livingston, West Lothian for pupils P4 – S6 (Classical Strings)

Our Music Centres

The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland Junior Conservatoire and West Lothian Council Community Arts are offering the opportunity for children in Primary 4 and 5 (as of August 2025) to receive instrumental tuition in violin, viola, cello and mini/double bass (classical) supported through funding from the Youth Music Initiative.

Through the Music Centre programme, students will receive:

  • FREE instrumental string lessons delivered in small groups
  • Practical musicianship classes
  • The opportunity of playing in a string orchestra

Classes are held on Saturdays during term time, led by a team of music specialists from the RCS. They are designed to give young learners a high quality, cohesive music education, delivered in a fun and inspiring environment.

Applications for our Armadale Music Centre are currently open. APPLY NOW.

If you have any questions, please contact musiccentre@rcs.ac.uk

The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland Junior Conservatoire and West Lothian Council Community Arts are offering the opportunity for children in Primary 4 and 5 (as of August 2025) to receive instrumental tuition in violin, viola, cello and mini/double bass (classical) supported through funding from the Youth Music Initiative.

Through the Music Centre programme, students will receive:

  • FREE instrumental string lessons delivered in small groups
  • Practical musicianship classes
  • The opportunity of playing in a string orchestra

Classes are held on Saturdays during term time, led by a team of music specialists from the RCS. They are designed to give young learners a high quality, cohesive music education, delivered in a fun and inspiring environment.

Applications for our Livingston Music Centre are currently closed.

If you have any questions, please contact musiccentre@rcs.ac.uk

The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland Junior Conservatoire, The King’s Foundation at Dumfries House and East Ayrshire Council are offering children who are currently in P5, P6 or P7 (as of August 2025) and who receive string tuition within the classroom in the Cumnock, Doon and Auchinleck areas the opportunity to further their instrumental progression FOR FREE supported through funding from The King’s Foundation.

Applications for our Dumfries House Music Centre will open after summer.

Through the RCS Music Centre programme, students will receive:

  • FREE instrumental string lessons delivered in small groups
  • Practical musicianship classes
  • The opportunity of playing in a string orchestra

Classes are held on Wednesday evenings during term time led by a team of music specialists from the RCS. The programme is designed to give young learners a high quality, cohesive music education, delivered in a fun and inspiring environment.

If you have any questions, please contact musiccentre@rcs.ac.uk.

Applications for our Stirling Strings Music Centre will open after summer.

The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland Junior Conservatoire and Stirling Council are offering the opportunity for children in Primary 4 and 5 (as of August 2025) to receive instrumental tuition in violin, viola, cello and mini/double bass (classical) supported through funding from the Youth Music Initiative. 

Through the Music Centre programme, students will receive:

  • Instrumental string lessons delivered in small groups
  • Practical musicianship classes
  • The opportunity of playing in a string orchestra

Classes are held on Saturdays during term time, led by a team of music specialists from the RCS. They are designed to give young learners a high quality, cohesive music education, delivered in a fun and inspiring environment.

If you have any further questions, please contact musiccentre@rcs.ac.uk.

Applications for our Stirling Traditional Music Centre will open after summer.

The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland Junior Conservatoire and Stirling Council are offering the opportunity for children in Primary 4 and 5 (as of August 2025) to receive instrumental tuition supported through funding from the Youth Music Initiative. New students will begin on tin whistle, with a view to moving onto accordion, bodhran or fiddle (traditional) as they progress. 

Through the Music Centre programme, students will receive:

  • Instrumental string lessons delivered in small groups
  • Practical musicianship classes
  • The opportunity of playing in a trad ensemble

Classes are held on Saturdays during term time, led by a team of music specialists from the RCS. They are designed to give young learners a high quality, cohesive music education, delivered in a fun and inspiring environment.

If you have any further questions, please contact musiccentre@rcs.ac.uk.

Term Dates 2025-26

Term 1: Wednesday 10 September – Wednesday 10 December (no classes on Wednesday 15 and 22 October)

Term 2: Wednesday 14 January – Wednesday 25 March (no classes on Wednesday 11 February)

Term 3: Wednesday 29 April – Wednesday 24 June (no classes on Wednesday 6 May)

Term 1: Saturday 6 September – Saturday 6 December (no classes on Saturday 11, 18 and 25 October)

Term 2: Saturday 10 January – Saturday 21 March (no classes on Saturday 7 and 14 February)

Term 3: Saturday 25 April – Saturday 20 June (no classes on Saturday 2 May)

Term 1: Saturday 6 September – Saturday 6 December (no classes on Saturday 11, 18 and 25 October)

Term 2: Saturday 10 January – Saturday 21 March (no classes on Saturday 7 and 14 February)

Term 3: Saturday 25 April – Saturday 20 June (no classes on Saturday 2 May)