Music summer schools

[stuckasastuckthing]

Does anyone have any recommendations for music summer schools for less advanced secondary age players - grade 2/3 standard (brass/woodwind). I've seen wells cathedral school do one - any feedback on this? Or other recommendations in the south? Mainly to get musical immersion, practise playing in ensembles etc.

Check your council music service - Kent certainly has a summer music school that they run a variety of residential music courses on. All levels and all instruments.

Thanks yoda. Our county don't have anything like that unfortunately. Do you know if the Kent one is only for people living in Kent as it doesn't seem clear on the website?

No, they welcome everyone as far as I know. They are a really nice group of people and the venue (Benenden School) is amazing too.

Kent definitely welcome everyone. We do not live in Kent but dd has attended their summer school and loved it.

If you want a trip to Scotland, ScOTT do an annual, non-audioned residential, from grade 2-8. They split up into ensembles based on ability, then also combine into a grand orchestra finale. You could holiday nearby!

It's Scottish Schools Orchestra Trust.

Thank you! Will take a look

That's great to hear, thank you. Was there plenty going on in the evenings etc as my DC is a bit shy - happy to join in with organised activities but struggles with making friends just by 'hanging out'

Try National Orchestras For all. The closing date has just gone for this year but might suit your dc next year?

Shout out for brass academy for the brass side - DS is a grumpy teen and won't do most residentials, but he wants to go back to BA.

Was just going to say brass academy…dd did it before she was even g1 and loved it!!! (Now working on diploma 6 years later fwiw)

I've heard good things about the ESO at bromsgrove school

My DD does this each year and loves it

Thanks for the info - too advanced for us at the moment but will keep in mind for the future!

I think they do a more beginner level, maybe May half term?

My daughter has gone to benenden the last 3 years. I really really recommend it. She has asd, so can struggle socially but has always loved Kent music school. She also has some very specific health needs which they have just been incredible at catering for. She's gone from before she took grade 1. And shes only just about to take grade 3 at 11 so not a musical high flier. They have lots of activities, my daughter particularly enjoys swimming!

Fantasia music school in Sussex, beginner to grade 8, residential and non residential options, good pastoral care.

Mine hasn't done Wells - though it does look good and we'd consider it in future- but in case it is helpful I have discovered that they take childcare vouchers - useful if you have a stack of them unused as I did!

Not sure about the others - but I find that a definite plus (we've been spending all of ours on PGL up to now)

ESO do beginner and intermediate level as well in October and May - it's not residential for these levels