Junior Trinity: Main Programme (ages 10-19)

Musicianship 

Junior Trinity has a long and well-known tradition of creative musicianship training which gives students greater confidence in their approach to composing, listening and performing. The philosophy underlying the classes is very much in parallel with the emphasis on composing skills in GCSE, AS and A-Level courses, and a wide range of music is explored. 

Aural skills and a general musical vocabulary are developed through singing, playing and written dictation. Students learn to extemporise and improvise as soloists and in groups, and to compose for members of the class. A historical awareness is developed through musical examples and project work. 

Students’ compositions and arrangements are frequently performed in our Teatime concerts and the Composers’ Ensemble at end of term concerts and public events, including external workshops run by professional orchestras and contemporary music organisations. 

Classes tend to be fairly small (approximately 8-10 students) and students of similar age are grouped together. 

General musicianship is an important element in the Junior Trinity timetable and students find that it enhances all aspects of their musical training. 

Chamber Music 

Junior Trinity students have opportunities to experience chamber music playing at various levels. This is often their introduction to the genre as chamber music coaching is often not available to them elsewhere. 

A variety of ensembles are formed each year depending on the student cohort, with everything from string quartets/octets, wind quintets, baroque trios, brass quintets and saxophone ensembles. 

Pianists who may have fewer opportunities to perform chamber music often participate in a multi-hand group, exploring unusual repertoire, and will participate in one of our Piano Performance Classes. 

Jazz ensembles can be available for students wishing to delve into jazz repertoire and improvisation techniques in more depth alongside the larger traditional Big Band. 

Students are encouraged to perform chamber music in the weekly JT @ Teatime concerts and in public concerts. Many ensembles perform regularly in high-profile events, regional festivals and competitions coordinated by the students themselves. 

Alexander Technique 

The Alexander Technique is a pro-active way of dealing with the stresses and strains of everyday life. It helps young people cope with the physical and emotional demands of music-making, and is therefore a popular element of the Junior Trinity curriculum. 

By bringing awareness to harmful habits, the Alexander Technique reduces muscle tension and pain, improves coordination and musical performance, and restores emotional balance. In short, it is an effective tool for nurturing young people’s overall wellbeing. 

The Technique is taught by active practitioners who are also performers empathetic to students’ issues. Teachers use verbal instructions and hands-on guidance to help unravel tensions and encourage a holistic use of the mind and body. 

Junior Trinity aims to pair students together to allow them to observe each other and learn both by doing and by watching. Through experience and observation, students become able to change longstanding habits and function more efficiently, and to apply the benefits of the Technique in playing their instruments or singing. 

Conducting 

Conducting classes are available for small groups of more advanced Junior Trinity students who wish to broaden their musical perspective. Our conducting students find that their acquired skills are very useful in their schools, local community activities and when they progress on to Higher Education. 

Students learn the rudiments of conducting technique for the first few weeks including beat patterns, beating styles and how to communicate specific musical effects through gesture. Gradually the classes develop into conducting the other members of the group and studying core repertoire. We may also be able to give our advanced young conductors opportunities to conduct the Junior Trinity ensembles in rehearsals and concerts on occasions. 

Composition 

In addition to the experience they gain in Musicianship classes and GCSE/A Level lessons at school or through Junior Trinity, many students take individual composition lessons to explore their skills in more depth. Junior Trinity gives them many opportunities to hear their works performed by fellow students in the weekly Teatime concerts, through the Composers’ Ensemble, as well as opportunities in more formal settings and projects with student choreographers for collaborative music and dance projects with Trinity Laban’s Centre for Advanced Training in Dance. 

Many Junior Trinity composers have achieved top awards including BBC Proms/Inspire Young Composers’ Competition and the European Piano Teachers Association Composers Competition. 

Junior Trinity encourages its composers to apply for prestigious vacation courses to extend their skills and contacts further, notably in the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain ‘composer in residence’ scheme and the Sound and Music Summer Schools. 

We are privileged that eminent professional composers visit Junior Trinity regularly to lead invaluable workshops with our students. 

Applicants are expected to be at least Grade 5 standard or equivalent on their first study instrument. 

However, there are many factors, including the instrument played and whether students have received formal musical training, that also inform the audition panel. Places at Junior Trinity are limited and being of the right standard alone is not a guarantee of acceptance to the department. 

How to apply

Applications for 2025 entry for our Main Programme are not yet open. To apply, once available, please complete our online application form using our application guidance for help (in Download section).

Auditions

Auditions will take place in-person during March and April at King Charles Court, Old Royal Naval College. There is an audition fee of £35 which can be paid via our online shop. Please note that the audition fee is non-refundable.