Guildhall Young Artists Norwich Music Course

Want to take part in both Music and Drama Classes? No problem! 

Students on our Music Courses are invited to access classes from our Drama Course at no extra cost. Please view our Drama Course page to see the list of classes on offer.

Looking for private tuition with one of our expert tutors? Book a 30-minute instrumental or vocal lesson*, to be taken alongside one of our courses.

Register your interest when signing up for a course. 

Our Ensemble Only Course is a good option for those who are unable to commit to a whole morning. Choose one group classes (45 minutes) from the Classes and Ensembles listed below. 

Fees
£300 per term (£30 per week) 

With one-to-one lesson
Add an individual 30-minute instrumental or vocal lesson (subject to availability) for an additional £24 per Saturday + the cost of the Music Course

Payment Schedule
We ask you to pay termly and once you’ve settled in we ask for half a term’s notice if you decide not to continue. 

Four Week Trial 
All new students will be given a four-week trial period (payable) if they have joined Guildhall Young Artists Norwich in the first five weeks of the term. Please see full terms and conditions on our finance and funding page.  

Deposit
We ask for a £50 holding deposit to secure your place. On receipt of your application, a friendly member of our team will discuss your requirements noted on the application form and send a payment link for the reservation of a place. This payment will be taken off one terms fees, or any outstanding balance refunded to your account if you give notice within the four-week trial period.

Bursaries
We offer a large number of bursaries to attend GYA Norwich, including travel to our centre.  Please don’t hesitate to get in touch and ask about these – it’s entirely confidential and we keep the application process as simple and quick as possible.

Autumn Term

Saturday 21 September – Week 1
Saturday 28 September – Week 2
Saturday 5 October – Week 3
Saturday 12 October  – Week 4
Saturday 19 October –  Week 5

Half-term – (no sessions on Saturday 26 October, 2 & 9 November)

Saturday 16 November  – Week 6
Saturday 23 November – Week 7
Saturday 30 November – Week 8
Saturday 07 December – Week 9
Saturday 14 December – Week 10 
 

Holidays (no sessions Saturday 21, 28  December & 4 Jan)

Spring Term

Saturday 11 January – Week 11
Saturday 18 January – Week 12
Saturday 25 January – Week 13
Saturday 01 February – Week 14
Saturday 08 February – Week 15

Half-term – (no sessions on Saturday 15 & 22 February)

Saturday 01 March – Week 16
Saturday 08 March – Week 17
Saturday 15 March – Week 18
Saturday 22 March – Week 19
Saturday 29 March – Week 20

Holidays – (no sessions on Saturday 05 & 12, 19 April)

Summer Term

Saturday 26 April – Week 21
Saturday 03 May – Week 22
Saturday 10 May – Week 23
Saturday 17 May – Week 24

Half-term – (no sessions on Saturday 24 & 31 May)

Saturday 07 June – Week 25
Saturday 14 June – Week 26
Saturday 21 June – Week 27 (GYAN Graduation Concert)
Saturday 28 June – Week 28
Saturday 05 July –  Week 29
Saturday 12 July –  Week 30 

We regret it is not possible to give refunds in the event of absence as the Centre has to continue paying professional tutors and overheads. GYA Norwich expects as close to 100% attendance as possible, to ensure you develop and get the most out of your membership.

Half a term’s notice is required to stop attending (except in exceptional circumstances). This notice period is required to fulfil obligations to the professional tutors, pay for facilities and to encourage you to be fully committed to the courses chosen.  

Aural Skills - Polly Fenn

Put simply Aural Training is 'ear training': a set of exercises designed to develop and improve listening skills. It broadens a student's overall musical awareness, but it is also of particular use when the student is preparing for an exam (usually at least one term ahead of an exam is recommended, according to need: more for higher grade exams). The session is led by the tutor from the piano and involves the student responding verbally to set questions put by the tutor, after having listened to extracts of music (they won't need to play their instrument for these exercises).

Intermediate & Advanced Brass Groups with Tom Carr

Our brass groups give players a chance to try out some fun pieces whilst developing the skills needed to play together to produce a great band sound. 

GYA Norwich String Quartets and String Chamber Music are coached by Emily Sheldrake, who has performed, recorded and toured Europe with many of the country’s leading baroque orchestras including the Academy of Ancient Music, Gabrieli Consort and players, Hanover Band and Fiori Musicali.

Choir with Laura Morgan

The emphasis for GYA Norwich choir is on having fun whilst students develop their vocal skills, covering a range of repertoire and styles and learning to sing together in harmony and different parts. It is also the perfect opportunity to mix with other students from outside their own instrumental groups.

Chamber Choir with Laura Morgan

Aimed at more experienced singers, Chamber Choir offers students the opportunity to receive high quality vocal training. Repertoire is varied and during rehearsals students are encouraged to develop part singing and sight-reading skills.

Musical Theatre Choir with Laura Morgan

A fun introduction to staging musical theatre numbers.

The Composition classes are run by David Stowell, a classically trained award-winning composer that now spends most of his time writing for TV and Film. This includes the 2021 chart-topping film Ashens and the Polybius Heist, for which he composed the music score. He has won awards in Spain, Canada, Japan, France and South Korea as well as the UK.

Opportunities for composition can be difficult to find for young musicians so we have highlighted this as an area for development at GYA Norwich.

David Stowell offers both individual and group sessions, and composition students have the luxury of over 100 instrumentalists and singers to work with, giving them the opportunity to hear their works both in progress and final performance!

Guildhall also supports young composers through the Guildhall Young Artists scholarship and strong links with the composition department.

Fusion Band with GYAN Tutor Simon Limbrick provides an opportunity for music-making that combines many different disciplines, musical styles and genres. The repertoire includes the creative use of musical ideas from music found in other cultures, and includes a wider view of Western music, such as classic Progressive Rock, Electronic Pop, and experimental scores that incorporate music technologies. The musical activity is not dominated by the need to read notation, and players use guitar-tab and other graphic methods when necessary.

The instrumental line-up can include most kinds of instrument from different musical contexts, and is an opportunity for musicians develop their skills on instruments such as electric guitar, synthesiser, laptop-based software, as well as instruments such as the ukulele and Indian tabla.

So far, the Fusion Band has performed music by the Mahavishnu Orchestra, Alan Holdsworth, Herbie Hancock, Gary Numan and Jean-Michel Jarre, with other pieces composed and improvised by the participants. The choice of repertoire is influenced by the ideas of the performers and their enthusiasm and interests guide the artistic direction of the band sessions.

The Fusion Band provides and opportunity for musicians, with a broad range of musical skills, to create and perform contemporary musical repertoire using classical, non-classical and music technologies.

Guitar Group with Kit Cecconi

This is a mixed ability group for guitarists looking to play regularly with others. Develop your rhythm, pulse, reading and listening skills; and enjoy playing together in a small guitar ensemble. 

• The ensemble is aimed primarily at those from grade 1 to grade 6, within any discipline (classical/pop/rock/folk...)
• Knowledge of reading basic notation will help players integrate quickly within the group.
•  Non-readers are welcome (chords/TAB can be provided for some material) on the understanding that attendees embrace reading development within the group and use sessions to enhance their notation knowledge.

Improvisation Band with Simon Limbrick

GYA Norwich offers a great opportunity for musicians to develop their ability to improvise and compose their own music. Under the direction of Simon Limbrick  students develop composition and collaborative skills working together to produce an improvised performance using their chosen instrument/voice.

Fusion Band with Simon Limbrick

Fusion Band provides an opportunity for music-making that combines many different disciplines, musical styles and genres. The repertoire includes the creative use of musical ideas from music found in other cultures, and includes a wider view of Western music, such as classic Progressive Rock, Electronic Pop, and experimental scores that incorporate music technologies. The musical activity is not dominated by the need to read notation, and players use guitar-tab and other graphic methods when necessary.

The instrumental line-up can include most kinds of instrument from different musical contexts, and is an opportunity for musicians develop their skills on instruments such as electric guitar, synthesiser, laptop-based software, as well as instruments such as the ukulele and Indian tabla.

So far, the Fusion Band has performed music by the Mahavishnu Orchestra, Alan Holdsworth, Herbie Hancock, Gary Numan and Jean-Michel Jarre, with other pieces composed and improvised by the participants. The choice of repertoire is influenced by the ideas of the performers and their enthusiasm and interests guide the artistic direction of the band sessions.

The Fusion Band provides and opportunity for musicians, with a broad range of musical skills, to create and perform contemporary musical repertoire using classical, non-classical and music technologies.

GYAN Student-Led Band with Dan Mothers

This session gives the students control! The bands are led entirely by the students, with staff help and support given when needed.

It offers a unique opportunity for students to develop their own style of music making and learn what is important to them, whilst still having staff to help guide them if needed.

Introduction to Jazz with Geraldine Evans

As the name suggests, this class offers an introduction to jazz for less advanced players who have little or no previous jazz experience.

We will play jazz standards and learn to improvise. The emphasis of the sessions is learning to play without music

Jazz Big Band with Geraldine Evans & Ewan Duffus

Using notation and reading big band charts, as well as improvising and developing ensemble playing skills, Jazz Big Band is aimed at players roughly grade 3 standard and above.

Jazz Ensemble with Ewan Duffus

The Jazz Ensemble offers a chance for our more advanced players (Grade 5+) to play a wide range of music in a smaller group setting, focusing on working with each other to find a group sound whilst developing listening skills to bounce off each others ideas.

GCSE/A Level Support 

Music Theory 

Music Appreciation with Ewan Duffus

In this class students will look at different elements of music, loosely based around GCSE and A-Level music syllabuses. It is complementary to what you will learn at school. The focus is looking at the history of, and themes in music. Areas looked at this term include film music, music in dance and the development of the symphony.

Music Exam/Mock/Audition Prep/HE Applications Coaching with Geraldine Evans

These classes are designed to support students who would like to find out more about music history and styles.  They may be taking exams at school or perhaps GCSE/A level classes are not available to them.  The emphasis is on working with local schools and individual students to establish where extra tuition would be beneficial and then supporting young musicians to improve their knowledge and grades.

Music Discovery with Stella Calver

Using age-appropriate songs and games, slightly older children will explore more advanced elements of musicianship, leadership and collaborative music making skills that they can also take into ensemble playing.  This class works particularly well when taken along with our Music Workshops and for those joining our Choirs, Beginner Ensembles and starting 1:1 tuition in an instrument.

Musician Workshops with Annely Viigipuu

This is an active workshop that is ideal for those aged 9 – 13 to gain a solid grounding in musicianship and knowledge whilst having lots of fun.  Learn, for example, about notation, theory, composition and dynamics through fun, practical tasks with lots of creativity, group work and lively discussions.  It is a great way to make new friends and is recommended for new joiners because it is so interactive.

GYA Norwich has a dedicated pathway which supports students from a young age as they develop the skills necessary to reach the concert platform.

Intermediate & Advanced Concert Orchestra with David Stowell

Saturdays 12:45 – 1:45pm

Concert Orchestra meets weekly and offers the perfect space to learn how to play together in an orchestra. Students usually join around grade 4+ standard and many will have played in other ensembles  first.   The orchestra play a wide range of music which sometimes includes original compositions by GYA Norwich  staff and students!

Norfolk County Youth Orchestra with Andrew Morley (conductor)

Norfolk County Youth Orchestra was established in 1959 and is recognised as a vibrant and successful county youth orchestra.  Working closely with GYA Norwich the orchestra offers workshops and courses for all players in Norfolk of around grade 6+ standard.

To find out more and to apply for a place please visit to the NCYO page here.

Percussion with Simon Limbrick

Percussion is a great opportunity for those wanting to develop their tuned percussion skills. The group includes a large range of orchestral instruments (including piano) and is a brilliant opportunity to improve rhythmic and sight-reading skills.  This group is also beneficial to other instrumentalists, particularly pianists, who want to play in an ensemble.

Piano lessons with Steve Gebbett, Ewan Duffus, Karen Smith & Annely Viigipuu

GYA Norwich has several piano teachers offering a range of styles and options from beginners to young professionals.  Students are allocated to an appropriate tutor depending on their stage of learning and interest in musical style.

Keyboard Safari with Stella Calver

This group offers a fun way into piano playing! Students will learn basic piano techniques as well as developing music reading and improvisation skills in a child friendly way. This class is available to 4-6 year olds.  

Chamber Piano with Steve Gebbett

This class is aimed at pianists who already have a reasonable level of fluency and wish to develop their sight-reading and ensemble skills.

Jazz Piano Group with Ewan Duffus

The Jazz piano group is for students wanting to learn how to read chord charts, lead sheets, and big band piano parts. Building on this students will explore improvisation techniques and develop their understanding of jazz piano both as a solo instrument and as accompaniment in small and large ensembles.

The class typically begins with an introduction and demonstration of a concept from jazz theory. Students then apply this to a jazz standard either individually or in pairs. Throughout the class students are encouraged to share their own ideas, riffs and chord voicings after all jazz music is an expression of the individual and their interpretation of the material!

This group is designed for those who already have some basic understanding of piano and are interested in exploring the challenges met by the jazz piano player. As well it serves as a good foundation for those musicians involved i jazz and improvisation ensembles, offering ample opportunities to delve into the theory behind improvisation over chords

Beginner Strings Ensemble with Annely Viigipuu
Prelude Strings provide an introduction to ensemble playing for young students of approx. grade 1 and above and the emphasis is on performing together to develop ensemble skills whilst having fun. Students are encouraged to be responsible for making sure they learn their own parts and develop good technique.

Intermediate Strings with Helen Barber
This group is aimed at students who are around grade 3 and above. The music is varied and includes lots of fun arrangements of favourite tunes.

Intermediate Lower Strings with Ingrid Perrin
If you’re a cellist and the sound of many cellos playing together appeals to you, or you’re a double bassist but haven’t quite found your ensemble yet, this is the group for you.

In Intermediate Lower Strings you will quickly elevate your ensemble skills via a selection of exercises and pieces arranged by Ingrid for the group, from folk songs to rounds via ballroom waltzes, Handel, Sigur Rós and more.  We also weave in aspects of instrumental technique, practical theory, sight-reading and improvisation, and sometimes learn a piece by ear as well as using conventional notation, taking a truly holistic approach to musical development.  There are regular performances to peers and family to share achievements. 

Grade 3 upwards but please talk to the tutor if you’re unsure of levels - a strong Grade 2 player would be at home in this group.

Advanced Strings with Emily Sheldrake
Senior strings invites students who have a level of grade 6 and above.  Professional violinist Hannah Perowne introduces players to favourite works for string ensemble by well-known composers.

String Quartets with Emily Sheldrake
Students will need to audition for quartets which are for more advanced string players.  As a guest artist with the internationally acclaimed Henschel Quartet, Emily  introduces students to some of the most loved and established string quartet repertoire as well as more modern works.

Sonic Arts with GYA Norwich tutor Simon Limbrick, focuses on the 'live' use of electric instruments. 

Topics include sound processing and editing, sampling and control of ‘live’ music technology interfaces.* Students will get hands-on experience using a range of hardware that includes effects pedals, sound boards, computers, samplers and loopers.

The ‘live’ aspect of the sessions means that musicians who are focussed on music technologies to create and perform their ideas, will be able to integrate into other musical activities and ensembles. For example, someone learning about an electronic instrument could also play as part of a jazz ensemble, or a perform on a laptop with a string ensemble.

*Software includes Ableton Live, Audacity, Ocenaudio, Reaper, Pure Data, Logic, Cubase and MaxMSP.

Beginner Wind with Polly Fenn
The Beginner Wind Ensemble caters for any wind player who is in the earlier stages of their musical journey. You might be a flautist who can play an octave of notes, or a bassoonist working for their first grade. Whatever your instrument is, "if you blow it, you can be in it"! We play a range of tailor-made pieces to help stretch your playing skills and introduce you to the discipline of playing in a group setting.

Intermediate Wind with Grace Duthie
Intermediate wind is a woodwind group for players who have a level of grade 1 and above.  The music is varied and includes lots of fun arrangements of favourite tunes.

Advanced Wind with Rachel Cannon
The emphasis is on Players in this group are mostly at grade 4 and above.  The emphasis is on developing ensemble and listening skills using a range of music and styles, which include some established and familiar wind repertoire alongside special arrangements for the group.

Flute Choir with Vicky McCardel
Open to all Flute players from approx. grade 2 standard, Flute choir covers a whole range of musical styles all specially written for a choir of Flutes.

Advanced Clarinet Choir with Rachel Cannon
Weekly classes for advanced clarinet players. Suitable for Grade 5+ students. 

Music Tech & Production with Dan Mothers

Learn how to produce your own music with digital software and microphone techniques.