Junior Conservatoire: Tuition for Young Musicians
Junior Royal Birmingham Conservatoire provides specialist musical tuition for talented and enthusiastic young musicians.
Our tutors are engaging, fun, and committed to nurturing the next generation of musicians. Whether young people wish to learn for fun or to take their musical studies to the very highest level, Junior RBC offers a well-rounded musical education.
Our tutors are of the highest calibre. They include senior RBC staff, orchestral players (including members of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra), professional opera and choral singers, jazz musicians, composers and music technologists. We operate on 30 Saturdays each year during school term using the Conservatoire's full facilities.
Our junior courses include:
- Classical music
- Jazz
- Chamber music
- The Young Strings Project (offers tuition to beginners as young as four years old)
- The Primary Winds Programme (offers tuition to beginners from age eight)
You can also, where the timetable allows, combine elements from different courses to suit your individual needs.
A strong emphasis is put on performance through weekly platforms and termly chamber music recitals, as well as regular concerts for the larger ensembles in the Bradshaw Hall. Informal sharing events are also organised within departments and occasionally, tutors may organise or promote opportunities to perform externally.
The Junior Conservatoire day
Your day will typically start at 9am and finishes at around 5pm. They are enjoyable days that demand a lot of enthusiasm and commitment, and which offer opportunities to meet other like-minded musicians. The make-up and length of each timetable will vary according to which course(s) you choose, and the level you've reached. Younger students will usually begin with a shorter day.
Who should apply?
We offer specialist training to young musicians between the ages of eight and 18 with exceptional potential, and the ability to achieve that potential. If you have a passion for music, this could be your next step. Even absolute beginners as young as four or five years old can study with us through our Young Strings Project, or from age eight via the Primary Winds Programme.
Where can it lead?
We train young musicians to a level where they could gain a place at a senior conservatoire or music college or university. We offer preparation for the Associated Board exams to grade eight and diploma levels. Involvement in music can promote skills for life, including a range of social benefits.
Financial Support
All successful applicants can apply for bursary support. There are number of options available including government-funded National Grants, awarded through the Music and Dance Scheme.
The value of all such awards is subject to a means test with awards up to 100% of the fees.
Detailed guidance and financial support application forms are available from the Junior Conservatoire office once a formal offer of a place has been made. Parents are also encouraged to apply to external trusts for support.
To find out how much each course at Junior Conservatoire costs, please contact the Junior Conservatoire office (conservatoire.juniors@bcu.ac.uk or 0121 331 5905).