What Can I do?

Find your instrument

Performance is at the heart of the Centre’s work and there are over ninety ensemble activities each week. These include Choirs, Symphony Orchestra, Wind Band, Chamber Orchestra, Intermediate Orchestra, Tango Band, Dance Band, Jazz Ensembles, Folk Ensembles, Stagecraft, chamber music groups and smaller ensembles within each department.

There are further details on the courses available and how to apply below the instrument boxes, as well as additional courses in the side bar to the left.

Below are the instrument families we teach at CYM – hover over each image to see a full list of instruments. Find yours and see how we can help you improve, build confidence and make some great friends along the way!

  • Strings

    Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass, Harp.

  • Woodwind

    Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Saxophone, Bassoon.

  • Brass

    Trumpet, Trombone, Tuba, Horn, Euphonium

  • Piano

    Piano, Harpsichord, Organ

  • Voice

    Voice

  • Recorder

    Recorders – Descant, Treble, Tenor, Bass, Contra-Bass

  • Percussion

    Tuned, Untuned, Drum Kit

  • Guitar

    Acoustic, Electric, Bass

  • Composition

    Composition

Full Programme:

Students participate in a choir, a supporting studies class, and where appropriate, at least one instrumental ensemble. They have a 30 minute one to one individual lesson on their chosen instrument/voice/composition (lessons can be extended to 45 or 60 minutes when appropriate, but at extra cost).
NB: Students on the Full Programme can have additional instrumental lessons outside of CYM but they shouldn’t be the same instrument as the one they have individual lessons on at CYM.

Core Programme:

As Full Programme but without an individual lesson.

Ensemble Only:

Students participate in one or more ensembles only – particularly appropriate for more advanced players.

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Prelude Strings:

An afternoon ensemble (10.00am– 11.30am) for young string players at Grade 1 to 2 level. The focus is on ensemble skills, the development of reading notation, practical musicianship and consolidation of good technique.

Primary Years Programme:

Primary Years Brochure Primary Years Application 2021.22 Equal Opportunities Form

A four year starter music course for children starting in School Year 1 (5 in the September of entry) to encourage children to explore the joy of making music. In the first year they will acquire the simple skills and fine muscle control necessary to develop technical proficiency on an instrument. Singing, rhythm and movement activities will teach an instinctive connection between what these young musicians do with their hands, their voices, their eyes, their ears and their intellect. This sense of connection is the crucial foundation for a rich life-long experience of music. In year two of the programme, students pick an instrument choice form violin, viola, cello, double bass, guitar or recorder and take part in a group lesson and ensemble as well as continuing with musicianship. This continues into year three of the programme. In the fourth and final year of the primary years programme students get a 20 minute individual lesson, a specialised ensemble and they continue with musicianship. The idea of this progressive programme is that students finish PYP and graduate into the CYM Full Programme (see above) without the need to audition.

For more information and application forms please email adagg@cym.org.uk 

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Saturday Ensembles & Choirs

Ensembles are progressive and work across departments, covering a range of musical styles and working toward informal performances at the end of each term. At the end of the Spring Term the CYM Chamber Concert and Annual Showcase Concert take place and CYM receives frequent invitations for ensembles to take part in external performances.

All CYM students up to the end of Year 9 sing in one of the choirs. Singing “is the basis of all music” (Alfred Brendel) and significantly contributes to musical development. A wide range of musical styles is included and there are often opportunities for external performances.

Saturday Centre Application Form Equal Opportunities Form

LSSO / LSCO / LYWB / Summer School / Revision Days

In addition to the main Saturday Centre the Centre for Young Musicians organises a range of Holiday Courses, which are open to all of London’s young musicians regardless of attending CYM during term time.

Please see below to download application forms for LYWB & LSSO

LYWB Application Form LSSO Application Form

For information on Fees please see our dedicated Fees page