Activities for Classical Musicians

Developing Programme

A full place on our Developing Programme includes:

• Six KS3 workshops a year, inc. 2-day weekend residential course
• 1-2-1 mentoring sessions
• Specialist tuition school workshops
• Access to music production support & workshops
• Access to composition support
• Access to songwriting support & workshops
• Access to additional projects, e.g. conducting
• Termly tuition budget (grant-holding students only)
• Exam costs and music accessories budget (grant-holding students only)

We are happy to discuss a bespoke programme of support to suit your available budget

For further information about our mentoring, tuition school workshops, music production and songwriting activities, please scroll down.

KS3 Workshops

Currently known as our Performance Development Programme (PDP), this programme of workshops is for young classical musicians in Key Stage 3 (school years 7–9).

We run six workshops per year. These are one day courses, held at weekends. In the summer term, these two workshops are combined into a mini residential weekend course, working alongside our classical Developing Programme students.

This year-long course of six workshops will cost £750 per year for 2025-26 and includes your student membership with South West Music School.

Advancing Programme

Designed for students in KS4 and KS5.
Students on our Advancing Programme are expected to be working to a minimum standard of Grade 5.
We recognise that not all students sit exams, so we assess ability level through audition videos.

A full place on our Advancing Programme includes:

• 2 intensive residential courses, full board inc.
• 1-2-1 mentoring sessions
• Specialist tuition school workshops
• Access to music production support & workshops
• Access to composition support
• Access to songwriting support & workshops
• Access to additional projects, e.g. conducting
• Termly tuition budget (grant-holding students only)
• Exam costs and music accessories budget (grant-holding students only)
• Access to Trinity Laban A level Music Distance Learning

We are happy to discuss a bespoke programme of support to suit your available budget

For further information about our mentoring, tuition school workshops, music production and songwriting activities, please scroll down.

For information about the A level music course, please contact us:

KS4/5 Residential Courses

Currently know as our Core Programme, this programme offers a series of stand-alone 2–4 day residential courses during school holidays: October and February half terms, Easter and late July. The cost of each course varies depending on the length and numbers involved. A guideline cost per course is between £250–£750.

These immersive courses bring together like-minded young musicians from across the South West to learn, explore, and create music collaboratively. Students can join one or multiple courses based on their ability and interests. Each course has a musical focus, giving students the opportunity to work alongside top professional musicians and music educators.

Tuition Schools
KS2 – KS5 Workshops

For students aged 8–19 (KS2–5), we deliver a range of instrument-specific focussed tuition school workshops. Each workshop includes the opportunity for a 1-2-1 masterclass session with a specialist tutor as well as a range of small ensemble activities.

These include:

• Piano Tuition School
• Wind Tuition School
• Strings Tuition School

Mentoring
KS2–5, Individual Sessions

We work with a dedicated team of professional musicians and music educators across the wider music industry. Sessions can be arranged as one-off consultancy sessions or as a block, and can address topics to suit your musical interests and needs, from exploring career pathways, conservatoire and university options, specialist areas of academic music interest, and more. They can be held as online video calls or in person.

Podium Project
KS4–5

Designed for musicians in Key Stage 4 upwards, our Podium project is an exciting opportunity for musicians to learn how to conduct an ensemble. Combining online and in-person practical sessions, our experienced and enthusiastic tutor, Katherine Stonham, will help students develop the skills and confidence needed to conduct and lead a rehearsal with an orchestral ensemble. The project culminates in a fun conducting experience day in July 2025.

Piano Concerto Project
KS3–5

Designed for advanced piano students in Key Stage 3 upwards, our concerto project is an exciting opportunity to perform Shostakovich’s Piano Concerto No.2 with an orchestra.
Places are limited and students will need to be working at Grade 8 level or above.

Music Production
KS3–5 Online Workshops

We deliver regular online music production workshops for beginner and intermediate music production students, as well as 1-2-1 online consultancy sessions for intermediate and advanced students.

Songwriting
KS3–5 Online & In Person Workshops

We deliver regular online and in-person songwriting workshops and residential courses with industry professionals, songwriters and music producers.