Who is Bath Strings Academy for?
We cater for string players of all ages. Time during workshops and courses sometimes split between activities where all players work together, and activities where we break out into different groups, divided by age and/or playing experience.
Players may be divided into the following groups:
I haven't taken any exams; can I still come?
Yes! Beginners as well as players with more experience are welcome. It doesn't matter whether or not you have taken any graded exams. We ask on the application form for details about each players' experience, so that we can make sure we cater for everybody's needs appropriately during the course. Just let us know how long you have been playing, and the sorts of playing you can do, e.g. which pieces you are working on at the moment.
My child wants to come to your course but is a bit nervous about attending. What can you do to help with this?
This is an often-expressed concern and we spend a lot of our planning time thinking about the social aspects of the day to ensure that it is an experience in which everyone has fun. We are very aware that many players will feel nervous about coming to a new event, so we spend lots of time getting to know each other and doing fun activities to break the ice. We are also careful to group together musicians who we think will work well together. During the course of the day/s we monitor and discuss amongst our staff how the social interactions are working and we will make changes if necessary. Our workshops have a friendly atmosphere which puts everyone at ease and our student Leaders & Mentors play an important role in helping newcomers to settle in.
I am concerned that the music might be too hard/too easy?
At Bath Strings Academy we encourage an ethos of team spirit. Players of different ages and standards are encouraged to work alongside each other using carefully differentiated musical arrangements to ensure that a satisfying overall team performance is possible. There will be both times when the music is easy and when it is more challenging. More advanced players who find the music easy are asked to focus their mental attention on specific elements of their playing in order to become self-aware, which is key to improving technique independent of a teacher. Challenging music is made easy by the teaching methods that we employ to break down the notes, rhythms and bowings into manageable components. Nothing is “too hard” if we approach it in the right way. Our student Leader & Mentors also play an important role in supporting and providing confidence to our junior and intermediate players.
I am worried that my child will not be able to cope with a full day/three day course?
We design our workshops to look after the needs of each individual which often involves a diverse age range/playing level. Our courses encompass a variety of playing, exercises and non-instrumental activities which move quickly from one thing to the next, keeping everyone focused and attentive, so there is no time to get bored. Young children who you may expect not to be able to cope with a full day/three day course remain attentively engaged throughout. We have had 6 year olds happily attending our three day summer school. The last 6 year old to be booked on to a half day course cried when taken home at lunchtime, because she wanted to stay for the afternoon session too! We are proud to be able to say that to date, every child that has attended our workshops has left happy and wanting more!
My child has special educational needs. Will s/he be able to attend?
We aim to be as inclusive as possible and we will do our best to facilitate any adjustments to accommodate your child’s needs so that they can attend. For example, we can colour code music to aid reading for those with dyslexia. It is always best to phone us and have a chat about any issues about which you are concerned. In some cases we may ask parents to attend alongside their child in order to ensure they have the support they need.
Can I attend the summer course for a single day?
The summer course is designed as an immersive music school, which builds skills over the course of the three days. We require full participation to get the most benefit out of the course. Only in exceptional circumstances would we consider accepting students who are unable to attend on all three days.
Do you provide wraparound care?
For long courses, we can provide care from 8.30am until 6.00pm at an additional cost of £6/hr (£1.50 per 15 minutes). Please fill in the Extended Hours Booking Form to specify your requirements. Wraparound hours should be paid for in advance with course fees. If emergency care is needed due to unforeseen circumstances, care may be arranged and paid for in cash on the day.
Children will be supervised during extended hours but will need to bring a non-screen activity with them, such as a book to read. There will also be drawing activities, card games and lego available. The use of mobile phones is not permitted during the course.
Can I have the music to practise beforehand?
We do not normally send out music in advance of our workshops. All music is taught on the day, so no preparation is required. Don't worry if you are not a confident sight-reader; music will be at an appropriate level for each player and there will be plenty of time to rehearse.
For chamber music coaching sessions and summer courses, we may send out music in advance to enable players to get the most from their sessions.
What do I need to bring with me?
Please bring:
We cater for string players of all ages. Time during workshops and courses sometimes split between activities where all players work together, and activities where we break out into different groups, divided by age and/or playing experience.
Players may be divided into the following groups:
- Children (4-11)
- Young Adults (12-18)
- Adults
I haven't taken any exams; can I still come?
Yes! Beginners as well as players with more experience are welcome. It doesn't matter whether or not you have taken any graded exams. We ask on the application form for details about each players' experience, so that we can make sure we cater for everybody's needs appropriately during the course. Just let us know how long you have been playing, and the sorts of playing you can do, e.g. which pieces you are working on at the moment.
My child wants to come to your course but is a bit nervous about attending. What can you do to help with this?
This is an often-expressed concern and we spend a lot of our planning time thinking about the social aspects of the day to ensure that it is an experience in which everyone has fun. We are very aware that many players will feel nervous about coming to a new event, so we spend lots of time getting to know each other and doing fun activities to break the ice. We are also careful to group together musicians who we think will work well together. During the course of the day/s we monitor and discuss amongst our staff how the social interactions are working and we will make changes if necessary. Our workshops have a friendly atmosphere which puts everyone at ease and our student Leaders & Mentors play an important role in helping newcomers to settle in.
I am concerned that the music might be too hard/too easy?
At Bath Strings Academy we encourage an ethos of team spirit. Players of different ages and standards are encouraged to work alongside each other using carefully differentiated musical arrangements to ensure that a satisfying overall team performance is possible. There will be both times when the music is easy and when it is more challenging. More advanced players who find the music easy are asked to focus their mental attention on specific elements of their playing in order to become self-aware, which is key to improving technique independent of a teacher. Challenging music is made easy by the teaching methods that we employ to break down the notes, rhythms and bowings into manageable components. Nothing is “too hard” if we approach it in the right way. Our student Leader & Mentors also play an important role in supporting and providing confidence to our junior and intermediate players.
I am worried that my child will not be able to cope with a full day/three day course?
We design our workshops to look after the needs of each individual which often involves a diverse age range/playing level. Our courses encompass a variety of playing, exercises and non-instrumental activities which move quickly from one thing to the next, keeping everyone focused and attentive, so there is no time to get bored. Young children who you may expect not to be able to cope with a full day/three day course remain attentively engaged throughout. We have had 6 year olds happily attending our three day summer school. The last 6 year old to be booked on to a half day course cried when taken home at lunchtime, because she wanted to stay for the afternoon session too! We are proud to be able to say that to date, every child that has attended our workshops has left happy and wanting more!
My child has special educational needs. Will s/he be able to attend?
We aim to be as inclusive as possible and we will do our best to facilitate any adjustments to accommodate your child’s needs so that they can attend. For example, we can colour code music to aid reading for those with dyslexia. It is always best to phone us and have a chat about any issues about which you are concerned. In some cases we may ask parents to attend alongside their child in order to ensure they have the support they need.
Can I attend the summer course for a single day?
The summer course is designed as an immersive music school, which builds skills over the course of the three days. We require full participation to get the most benefit out of the course. Only in exceptional circumstances would we consider accepting students who are unable to attend on all three days.
Do you provide wraparound care?
For long courses, we can provide care from 8.30am until 6.00pm at an additional cost of £6/hr (£1.50 per 15 minutes). Please fill in the Extended Hours Booking Form to specify your requirements. Wraparound hours should be paid for in advance with course fees. If emergency care is needed due to unforeseen circumstances, care may be arranged and paid for in cash on the day.
Children will be supervised during extended hours but will need to bring a non-screen activity with them, such as a book to read. There will also be drawing activities, card games and lego available. The use of mobile phones is not permitted during the course.
Can I have the music to practise beforehand?
We do not normally send out music in advance of our workshops. All music is taught on the day, so no preparation is required. Don't worry if you are not a confident sight-reader; music will be at an appropriate level for each player and there will be plenty of time to rehearse.
For chamber music coaching sessions and summer courses, we may send out music in advance to enable players to get the most from their sessions.
What do I need to bring with me?
Please bring:
- your instrument
- a music stand
- a pencil
- a packed lunch and water bottle
- an endpin holder (cellists)