Junior Trinity Prospectus

JUNIOR TRINITY PROSPECTUS

MUSIC EDUCATION FOR AGES 3–19

WELCOME In 1906, Trinity College of Music (as it was then known) was the first conservatoire to open its doors on a Saturday to young musicians under the age of 18. In 2005, Trinity College of Music and the Laban Centre for Dance, two leading centres in music and dance, came together to form Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, and Junior Trinity has continued to provide intensive and excellent musical training every Saturday for generations of young people.

At Junior Trinity we pride ourselves on creating a supportive atmosphere for our students, allowing them to progress to their full musical potential in a positive and warm environment. Through the excellent musical training we offer, we aim to support students to become young adults who are confident to be independent learners, creative and lateral thinkers and to challenge and be challenged. Our students are motivated, committed and talented young musicians who have enjoyment and fun at the heart of their learning on a Saturday.

Tabby Estell Head of Children’s and Young People’s Programmes (Music)

IN 2016 70% of Junior Trinity leavers went on to study music at a University or Conservatoire.

100% of Junior Trinity leavers progressed to Higher Education.

100% of students going on to study music and other subjects at HE said that being a student at Junior Trinity had prepared them for life in Higher Education.

OUR VISION Junior Trinity is a Saturday music school for the 21st Century, for motivated, talented and creative young musicians, offering an immersive learning environment in which young people are supported to strive for excellence while their individual voices are valued and encouraged.

JUNIOR TRINITY AIMS: To encourage a life-long love of music To offer excellent teaching and learning in an environment that supports each and every student to reach their full potential, in their musical life and beyond To support the development of future music professionals, addressing key challenges facing the music industry To provide accessible progression routes in musical learning for young people of all backgrounds, including those currently underrepresented in the Conservatoire sector

“Junior Trinity is a music school where I learn amazing new things every week but also make life-long friendships with other young musicians.

I get to perform and work with others, whether it be singers or instrumentalists. I enjoy every minute of it.�

Junior Trinity student

To offer a curriculum that supports students to become creative learners, lateral thinkers and empathetic musicians, with a thirst for knowledge and the confidence to challenge and question

Location We can be found in the wonderful site of the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich, designed by Sir Christopher Wren and now home to Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance and University of Greenwich. The site includes the magnificent Painted Hall and the Chapel at ORNC, where students give two performances a year. Junior Trinity occupies King Charles Court which consists of superb practice, teaching and recital rooms, excellent recording studio facilities, intimate performing spaces and the awardwinning Jerwood Library of the Performing Arts.

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MAIN PROGRAMME AGE 10–19 Entry to Main Programme is by audition from the age of 10 and 11 upwards. We offer the following core elements of musical education to students:

Individual first study lesson Musicianship Class Choir Small ensemble Large ensemble Students can also opt to learn a second study instrument, take Alexander Technique lessons and receive joint composition or conducting classes as optional extras.

Junior Trinity offers opportunities in a wide range of instruments and musical styles and genres. We have jazz ensembles, Early Music ensembles, new music ensembles, harp and guitar ensembles, as well as many orchestral and chamber music ensembles.

Pianists and singers are offered opportunities in performance classes and accompanist classes.

Orchestral instrumentalists progress through a range of ensembles including Intermediate Strings, Sinfonia, Wind Orchestra, Big Band and Symphony Orchestra.

Junior Trinity presents three large scale concerts a year at concert venues across London allowing our students the opportunity to perform of the same stage as many of the greatest professional orchestras. Venues visited in the past few years include Cadogan Hall, LSO St Luke’s, Blackheath Halls and Southbank Centre.

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“One of my highlights during my time at Junior Trinity has definitely been my concerto performance. I was able to perform Pamina’s aria Ach Ich Fühls from The Magic Flute by Mozart with the Junior Trinity Symphony Orchestra. It took a lot of preparation and hard work, but it was totally worth it as it was one of my most rewarding performances yet.”

Junior Trinity alumnus, now studying voice at a Conservatoire

Musicianship Our musicianship curriculum is designed to complement and support the teaching of music in the National Curriculum in schools, equipping them with skills and knowledge of music-making in the 21st century. Classes provide students with the opportunity to put their experience as an instrumentalist into the wider context of the history of music, theory, composition and composers, standard and graphic notation, music technology and music in the 21st century contemporary musical genres.

Singing We encourage all our students to sing as we believe it to be an excellent musical training providing students with transferable skills onto their instruments. Our choirs perform from memory helping students gain in confidence in performance skills as there is no music or instrument to break the connection between performer and audience. Younger students join Equal Voice Choir, before progressing to Young Voices or Four Part Choir.

Grade Exams Junior Trinity teaches both ABRSM and TCL exam syllabi and students can enter for exams if they have the support of their teacher. However, there is no requirement to sit Grade exams if students choose not to. TCL exams take place on site and are administrated by the Junior Trinity office.

Second Instruments Junior Trinity encourages students to use their second instrument – where the timetable allows – in large ensembles. Many students are technically proficient on more than one instrument and our department supports and encourages them to progress on both instruments.

Concertos Our Year 13 and gap year students are invited each year to audition for the opportunity to perform a concerto with our symphony orchestra. Each year 4-5 students are successful and we are able to provide unique performing opportunities to these students.

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“There have been countless moments I have particularly enjoyed and Junior Trinity is the highlight of my week.

I have laughed my way through Junior Trinity and I have enjoyed every second of my life in the department. It’s allowed me to perform at a high level with professionals who really know their stuff.

I’m going to study music at university and while I can’t wait for what the future brings, I will miss Junior Trinity greatly.”

Junior Trinity alumnus

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PROJECTS AND COLLABORATION There are many opportunities for special projects and collaborations during an academic year. These include collaborations with students from our Centre of Advanced Training at our Dance Faculty in Laban Building.

RECENT SPECIAL PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS:

Performance of Gabriel Prokofiev Concerto for Turntables and Orchestra at Southbank Centre

Performances of student compositions at Tate Modern

Concerts in the Royal Greenwich International Early Music Festival

Collaborative composition and choreography at Tate Exchange, Tate Modern

Side by Side opportunities with senior Trinity Laban students

“It was really exciting to work with an instrument not usually found in a classical setting, and try new things. DJ Switch would record snippets of what we played and manipulate these, which was amazing to witness and to play along with. We swapped “nice” for more grungy, interesting sounds, and it was fun to use our instruments in different ways.”

Junior Trinity student, part of Turntables Concert

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GCSE AND A LEVEL MUSIC AND A LEVEL MUSIC TECHNOLOGY Junior Trinity is a registered Public Examinations Centre and offers GCSE and A Level Music and Music Technology courses to Main Programme students and, if there is evidence of need, to external students as well. We teach the Edexcel syllabus specification at both GCSE and A Level.

STUDENTS BENEFIT FROM:

A wealth of A Level teaching experience from a range of academic tutors, who are or have been Heads of Music in schools and colleges and examiners for A Level examination boards Junior Trinity enters about 50 students every year for GCSE and A Level Music and Music Technology examinations The courses introduce students to some of the disciplines involved in an academic study of the subject music.

They develop the skills, knowledge and understanding needed to communicate through music and to take part in musicmaking, whether as a composer, a performer or a listener.

Wherever possible we try to integrate the diverse elements of the subject, each one supporting the understanding and development of others.

Performing skills are developed throughout the course with the support of Junior Trinity instrumental staff and composition teaching is delivered by our team of composition teachers.

Revision programmes and regular testing are built into the course to help students to prepare for final examinations.

Over the last 8 years 95% of our students have achieved A-C grades and 87% A*-B grades 7

A LEVEL MUSIC DISTANCE LEARNING COURSE Students who are unable to find a suitable opportunity to study the subject in their local school or college, can apply to take A Level Music through our Distance Learning Course.

We offer a unique high-quality course, now in its eighth year, involving distance-learning guided by weekly lessons in small groups, as well as composition tutorials with a specialist composer and performance work supported by the students’ own tutor. There are regular visits on a Saturday to Junior Trinity in the Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich, where distance-learning students become Junior Trinity students for a day.

THE COURSES INCLUDE:

Insights into the techniques of harmony and composition used by composers

Analytical study of pieces of music in a variety of styles

Involvement in solo and ensemble performance Composition

Development of areas of musicianship such as aural perception

Experience in the use of music technology, specifically Digital Audio Windows and recording techniques (Music Technology only), and musical notation software (Sibelius).

The course is supervised by the GCSE and A Level Programme Manager for Junior Trinity.

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MUSICIANS’ HEALTH AND WELLBEING We take the health of our young musicians very seriously and provide many support measures to enable our young people to learn to be healthy musicians.

Alexander Technique We have two trained members of staff on site on a Saturday, and lessons are recommended to those Main Programme students who would benefit from additional support with correct and healthy posture.

Mindfulness and Neuro Linguistic Programming We have teaching staff trained in both Mindfulness and Neuro Linguistic Programming so that we can best support any students who would benefit from these forms of intervention in their learning.

Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Our teaching staff are experienced in working with students with SEND and can support musical learning in all students identified as having SEND requirements.

Special Educational Needs or Disabilities are not a barrier to joining Junior Trinity.

Safeguarding There are two designated safeguarding officers within the Junior Trinity management team who ensure that the institution’s Safeguarding Policy is delivered effectively.

“Junior Trinity is a safe place for me.

I can be myself without worrying about what other people are thinking.

When school hasn’t been a happy place for me, I always looked forward to Saturdays knowing I would find comfort, as I would be coming up to Junior Trinity, enjoying my music and seeing my friends.”

Junior Trinity student

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PROGRAMMES FOR YOUNGER CHILDREN AGE 3–11 String Time and Band Time are our non-auditioned pre-11 music programmes for children. The syllabus has a strong emphasis on rhythm and movement training as well as ensemble skills and creative work.

Students are encouraged to compose right from the start and, especially in the early stages, to sing everything they write or play in order to develop a good sense of pitch. The focus during our classes is on ensemble participation. The children become used to peer learning from the beginning as our experienced staff guide them through learning from and supporting each other.

Once String Time and Band Time students reach 11 years old they are welcome to apply for Junior Trinity’s Main Programme. Students will go through the same audition entry processes as external applicants, and entry is not guaranteed.

String time instruments include: violin, viola, cello (and double bass if suitable).

Band time instruments include: recorder, junior oboe, clarinet, mini bassoon, french horn, trumpet/ cornet and pBone.

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String Time The String Time syllabus is broken down into 5 stages.

At each stage students are encouraged to think for themselves as regards rhythm, pitch, movement and theory training in order to develop as well rounded musicians. After the initial pre-instrumental Trinity Teenies classes, all String Time children begin to play a bowed string instrument at age 5.

We offer violin, viola and cello and guide children and parents in deciding on the most appropriate choice. On occasions we do offer double bass to some children.

This option will only be available at a suitable age for each child, depending on physique and development.

The String Time programme runs from nursery age to the end of primary school: Ages 3–5 Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 & 4 Year 5 & 6

Trinity Teenies (pre-instrument classes) String Starters Stepping Stones Rhythm Runners Fast Fiddlers

Band Time Children wanting to take up a wind or brass instrument can apply to join Band Time when they reach Year 2, or equivalent, in school.

They start in Year 2 with group lessons on recorder to allow them to experience how to use their breath to make a sound on an instrument, as well as a musicianship class.

After two years of recorder and musicianship, when children enter Year 4, they are able to choose a wind or brass instrument to learn as well as joining choir, musicianship and Band.

Students can also continue group recorder lessons.

We offer a range of instrumental lessons including junior oboe, clarinet, mini bassoon, trumpet and pBone (the pre-curser to the adult sized trombone), and work with parents to advise on the most appropriate choice of instrument for the child.

Year 2 + Year 4 +

“I love music, and it’s just such a big part of my life now. It’s so cool to be able to come to a place where everyone is just as determined to learn more, improve and succeed as you are. I’ve been coming to Junior Trinity since I was 3 starting off in Trinity Teenies then progressing through String Starters, Stepping Stones, Rhythm Runners, Fast Fiddlers and now I’m in my first year of the Main Programme.”

String Time alumnus

Recorder group lessons Wind or Brass Instrument & band

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OUR STAFF TEACHING STAFF

ADMINISTRATION

Junior Trinity teaching staff have active teaching and performing careers and bring their experiences from both these worlds to their work with students each week. They are highly experienced in working with students across a range of abilities and experiences and with a range of different educational and musical needs.

The Head of Children and Young People’s Programmes has overall responsibility for the curriculum development, artistic direction and strategic planning for Junior Trinity. The Junior Trinity Programme Manager oversees the operational delivery of the department, including all external concerts and special projects.

The String Time Programme Manager and GCSE/A Level Programme Manager are responsible for each respective course, including coordinating their teams of teaching staff. Two administrators provide additional support for all Programme Managers.

LEAD TUTORS We have 5 Lead Tutors with responsibility for the Keyboard, Vocal, Strings, Wind Brass and Percussion and Composition and Musicianship faculties. The Lead Tutors oversee the students and staff within each faculty providing support for a range of pastoral and progression matters.

They work closely together to ensure excellent cross-faculty working.

We also have a team of Saturday Assistants who provide important pastoral care each Saturday, and are responsible for setting up rehearsal spaces, moving instruments, managing the building and stage managing concerts.

A full list of all our teaching staff can be found online at www.trinitylaban.ac.uk/study/teaching-staff

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OUR COMMUNITY The Junior Trinity community is vibrant and active, and we encourage and support a sense of ownership of the department by students and families alike.

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Parent Choir

Youth Forum

We run a choir for parents each week, with regular performance opportunities available. This is free to join and our way of giving back to our parents for the support they provide for their children and our department.

Students are invited to join our Youth Forum, which meets regularly throughout the year to ensure student voice is as prominent as possible to help inform our planning and future strategy.

Children and Young People’s Programmes Junior Trinity is part of Trinity Laban’s Children and Young People’s Programmes (Music), which also includes our Widening Participation Programme. The CYP programme aims to enable and support progression routes in music for children aged from 3 to 19 regardless of background.

We believe that every child has the same right to access musical opportunities and our work out in schools and the community is designed to identify those children and young people for whom music is vitally important, and support the pathways chosen by them so that they can reach their full musical potential.

We run many different programmes of work in out of school settings including Animate Orchestra, Animate Artists, Creative Collective, Young Women in Jazz and Exploring Improvisation.

We have a programme of intensive partnerships with secondary schools, supporting progression in music, curriculum delivery and raising attainment in music.

“The exploration of music, through my lessons at Junior Trinity, helped to build up exciting new skills and develop another side to myself, and it goes without question that the intellectual challenges in music give support to the intellectual challenges in science and engineering as well as helping to stimulate creativity in these areas.”

Junior Trinity alumnus, now studying sciences at University

CYP presents a series of schools concerts each year for Key Stages 2-5, performed by senior Trinity Laban students, supporting the delivery of the national curriculum for music in schools.

For more information: www.trinity.ac.uk/take-part

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APPLICATION AND FEES APPLICATION PROCESS AND AUDITIONS Auditions provide a vital opportunity for the panel to hear an applicant perform, as well as provide musical guidance and advice to students. They also crucially provide an opportunity for the panel to talk to prospective students to find out more about them as people; about their interests and their musical goals and ambitions. We aim to ensure our auditions take place in an environment that is both supportive and friendly, in order that we can encourage all the young musicians to achieve their best.

What standard do I have to be?

As a guide we ask that students should be approximately Grade 5 (or equivalent), to audition.

However, there are many factors, including the

instrument played and whether students have received formal musical training, that also inform the audition panel. We look for potential as much as level of playing.

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 Main Programme, String Time and Band Time are submitted online through the Junior Trinity website. An audition fee is charged, for Main Programme only. For more information, please contact the Junior Trinity administration: www.trinitylaban.ac.uk/study/music/junior-trinity junior@trinitylaban.ac.uk Tel: 020 8305 4312

BURSARY SUPPORT Junior Trinity fundraises annually for money to support students for whom the fees may be a barrier to attending. We are very grateful to all the trusts and foundations and individual donors who provide much needed support for our work with young people.

Students are welcome to apply for bursary support and details are available from the Junior Trinity administration.

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“Junior Trinity is a place where everyone is just as excited as you to be music-making.

It’s full of hard work and high expectations, but absolutely worth it. If you’re committed to it, it will give you more back than you can imagine.”

Junior Trinity student

Photography: Tas Kyprianou, Belinda Lawley

FACULTY OF MUSIC, KING CHARLES COURT, OLD ROYAL NAVAL COLLEGE, GREENWICH, LONDON SE10 9JF TEL: +44 (0)20 8305 4444 | TRINITYLABAN.AC.UK | FOLLOW US ON: /TRINITYLABAN Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance. Company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales. Company No: 51090. Registered Charity No: 309998.

All information is correct at the time of going to press. We reserve the right to change programmes and/or artists without notice as necessary. Photography: Belinda Lawley