Saturday Music School
Saturday Music School programme supports talented musicians, helping to develop skills and offering the opportunity to explore new musical areas. Students attending the programme are aged between 10 and 17.
Saturday Music School takes place every Saturday morning during term time at Leeds College of Music from 9am - 12.30pm. Activities are run in an informal and friendly atmosphere and there are plenty of opportunities to socialise during supervised breaks.
Saturday Music School now offers short holiday courses for young musicians.
Who is SMS for?
We look for potential and a real engagement in music-making; we want our students to be excited about music. Students can apply at most stages during their musical journey, but SMS is not appropriate for beginners.
Applicants will usually need to have been playing their instrument or singing for at least two years and to be making good progress. We welcome applications from individuals or groups/bands.
To enable students to complete the programme by the age of 18, all applicants should be 17 years old or younger as at 31 August in the year of application. Additionally, we expect that students will be familiar with one or more types of music notation.
The weekly programme is matched to the needs of each individual student, group or band. SMS musicians usually have a main interest in one of the following types of music:
Classical (including Western or Indian music),
Popular (including musical theatre, rock, street or contemporary world)
Traditions (including British/Celtic Folk, Jazz or World Music).
What happens in the programme?
Each Saturday morning consists of three hour-long sessions. Broadly these are:
- Making music in small groups (jazz combos to string quartets and rock bands)
- Musicianship (composing, song-writing, theory, music software, developing vocal and keyboard skills)
- Large workshops to explore a range of musical topics (world music, improvisation, sound recording, instrument making)
All sessions are designed to develop students’ all-round musical ability, to help them progress to more advanced study and ultimately to become the musicians of the future.
SMS students who live within the Leeds Metropolitan area are offered a place in a City of Leeds Youth Music (CLYM) group (where a suitable group is available).
Find out more about Saturday Music School by watching this short video filmed and directed by Saturday Music School students
How do I apply?
Applications for next academic year are now open
Entry to SMS is by informal audition and interview.
Complete an application form here
If you have any questions regarding completion of the form please contact us on 0113 222 3404 or email
What is the cost?
The fee for the next academic year is £500 for new applicants . This fee can be paid in instalments by standing order, see below for bursary information.
Are there any free places or bursaries available?
If cost is a problem for you, a number of free places are available dependent on circumstances. Please do not do not be put off from applying to Saturday Music School on grounds of cost.
Access
Leeds College of Music has full wheelchair access to all areas of the building. If you have any special requirements please contact us
Contact Us:
Jenny Hoy
SMS Coordinator and Lecturer
0113 222 3404
sms@lcm.ac.uk
Sponsorship
Saturday Music School is currently looking for sponsors. If you are interested in sponsoring or donating money to Saturday Music School, please email sms@lcm.ac.uk for information.
Working in partnership
