Introduction
Junior Trinity’s Main programme is for children aged 10 – 19 years. There are thirty teaching weeks per year plus one week each term for masterclasses and other activities. There is one week off for half term. The Junior Trinity day starts around 09.00h and finishes around 17.00, depending on your age and timetable.
- individual lessons, classes and chamber music
- regular concerts – JT @ Tea Time
- larger ensembles & choirs and individual lessons
It may be possible to arrange a later start for students who travel a long distance.
An amazing place to learn and develop as a musician and the perfect way to try to figure out where you want music to take you.
Junior Trinity leaver July 2015, now reading Music at University of Manchester
Core Curriculum
The Junior Trinity Main Programme generally consists of:
Principal Study (instrumental/vocal)
40 minutes
General Musicianship class
50 minutes
Choir
50 minutes
Ensembles & Chamber Music (some ensembles are subject to audition)
40-90 minutes
Extras (Subject to availability, additional fees may apply)
– Second/ third study
– Longer lesson on first study (up to 60 minutes)
– Individual support for Trinity College London Music Exams
– GCSE/ A Level classes in Music and Music Technology
Tuition
Junior Trinity offers a full range of instrumental and vocal tuition as well as composition and conducting classes to ensure that every student is able to develop their potential in their chosen area.
Teachers aim to develop a student’s musical and technical skills as well as stylistic awareness. Students are encouraged to participate in concerts, masterclasses and competitions and also study towards Grade Exams where appropriate.
Lunchtime concerts take place each week and teachers enter students when they are ready; most students participate in at least two concerts over the year. We are fortunate that our Trinity College London exam board provides an exam day each term at Trinity, enabling students to take their practical examinations in a familiar environment with one of our regular accompanists.
Performance
Performance opportunities are rich and varied at Junior Trinity. As well as our Teatime concerts, Junior Trinity promotes concerts in venues including:
Old Royal Naval College Chapel
Recent collaborations have included students performing alongside the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir John Tomlinson and the Brighton Youth Orchestra, composer-choreographer projects with our Centre for Advanced Training and operatic performances with students from our degree programmes. Junior Trinity students also take part in CoLab.
These concerts provide an invaluable opportunity for our students to perform in a variety of prestigious venues and ensembles providing a wealth of experience and musical variety.
SINGING FOR ALL
Conductors:
Charles MacDougall: Four-Part Choir, Cambiata Voices & Vocal Consort
Katrina Makepeace-Lott: Equal Voice Choir
Philip Colman: Vocal Ensemble
Junior Trinity acknowledges the benefits of singing at all stages of a student’s development, regardless of vocal ability. The department encourages students to experience an expansive range of vocal repertoire from varied traditions, and to enjoy performing it with their peers.
Equal Voice Choir for young and unbroken voices, and the Four-Part Choir give performances at least three times a year in our public concerts. Repertoire ranges from Scarlatti to Lutoslawski and Britney Spears!
First and second study singers participate in the Vocal Ensemble (female voices) and Vocal Consort (male voices) exploring more advanced repertoire. These groups perform in Junior Trinity concerts including the Old Royal Naval College Chapel and in external festivals and events.
What our students say
“The highlight of my day would change from week to week. Perhaps I’d have a particularly stimulating piano lesson one week and then a good time in orchestra the next. But this last year the best part of my day has got to have been the Barbershop group – I’ve had such fun and learnt so much! I cannot imagine any other establishment in the world could have given me the same support and encouragement I have received over my years at Junior Trinity. I have developed hugely as a musician and I am sure that the Saturdays I spent there were a key factor in my progress.”
Duncan Ward, Junior Trinity alumnus, Sir Charles Mackerras Junior Conducting Fellow for Trinity Laban. Formerly lead composer in the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain.
BIG BAND
Conductor: Sam Bullard
Performs the mainstays of the genre from Swing to more contemporary jazz arrangements, giving students an opportunity to perform as an ensemble and develop the important skills of style and improvisation.
INTERMEDIATE STRINGS
Conductor: Dan James
Players of approximately Grade 5 to Grade 6 standard develop their ensemble skills and stylistic awareness in this string orchestra and perform a range of baroque, classical and contemporary works.
SINFONIA
Conductor: Andrew Morley
The Junior Trinity Concertante comprises of string and wind players of approximately Grade 7 to Grade 8 standard. Players continue to develop their ensemble skills, exploring a wide range of works for chamber orchestra.
SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Conductor: Andrew Morley
The Junior Trinity Symphony Orchestra comprises up to seventy players of Grade 8 standard and above. Players are introduced to major works from the orchestral repertoire as well as lesser known but equally challenging works.
The Symphony Orchestra also provides a platform for selected final year Junior Trinity students to perform concertos at one or more of our public concerts in prestigious venues.
WIND ORCHESTRA
Conductor: Leo Geyer
Wind Orchestra gives woodwind, brass and percussionists an opportunity to explore a wealth of concert band repertoire ranging from Holst to film scores.
MASTERCLASSES AND WORKSHOPS
Junior Trinity produces an impressive series of masterclasses at the conservatoire and online. These give students the chance to perform to distinguished visiting professional musicians in a supportive setting.
MASTERCLASSES (since 2017)
Flute
Wissam Boustany
Karen Jones
Oboe
Maxwell Spiers
Clarinet
Kathryn Spencer
Trumpet
Philip Cobb
Alan Thomas
Trombone
Mark Templeton
Percussion
Joby Burgess
Piano
Andrew Ball
Christine Croshaw
Danny Driver
Norma Fisher
Kathryn Stott
Huw Watkins
Andrew West
Voice
Jon Christos
Jennifer Hamilton
Sarah Leonard
Violin
John Crawford
Steven Bingham
Viola
Roger Chase
Richard Crabtree
Susie Mészáros
Nicholas Pendlebury
Cello
Joely Koos
Jesper Svedberg
Eduardo Vassallo
Double Bass
Leon Bosch
Valentina Ciardelli
Guitar
Graham Devine
Craig Ogden
Chamber Music
Wihan Quartet
Nicholas Pendlebury
Folk Fiddle
Ruairidh MacMillan
Bass Guitar
Laurence Cottle
Hindustani Classical Music
Prabhat Rao
Helen Anahita Wilson
Morgan Davies
Jazz Improvisation
Nikki Iles
Omar Puente
Film Music
Neil Brand
Electronics and Chamber Music
Steven Bingham
Musicianship
Talking about Musicianship:
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.
Various aspects of the repertoire are explored from string quartets/octets to wind quintets to smaller duo and trio groupings. The saxophone quartet, saxophone ensemble and baroque ensemble are also popular.
Pianists who can have fewer opportunities to perform chamber music, often participate in the multi-hand groups, exploring unusual repertoire or join 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 JT @ Tea Time concerts and in public concerts. Many ensembles perform regularly in high-profile events.
Alexander Technique
The Alexander Technique is a method that has had striking results in the music world as well as offering wide-ranging benefits to students’ general wellbeing. It is a popular element of the Junior Trinity curriculum, taught by active practitioners who are also performers empathetic to students’ issues.
The Alexander Technique is a way of becoming more aware of balance, posture and movement in everyday activities. It is a simple and practical method of self-improvement, helping to enhance poise, vitality and coordination and to reduce strain and stress. Through the Technique we become more able to differentiate necessary and unnecessary tension and effort, and we become able to perform better, free up creativity, prevent injury and cope better with existing problems.
The Alexander Technique is usually taught on a one-to-one basis, the teacher using verbal instructions and guidance with the hands to help unravel tensions and distortions and encourage the natural reflexes to work again. Through experience and observation we become able to change longstanding habits and function more efficiently, and to apply the benefits of the Technique in demanding activities and situations in daily life. We also work with students’ instruments and explore ways of best coping with the strains of musicians’ lives and work.
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 are also 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 General Musicianship and GCSE/A Level classes, 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 lunchtime concerts and in more formal settings, as well as composing alongside student choreographers for collaborative music and dance projects with Laban Centre for Advanced Training.
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.
What our students say
“Junior Trinity has made me grow as a person and helped me become more confident with myself in music. Being able to share the same passion and love with so many people has inspired me for my future as a musician and performer. Junior Trinity is like a family, developing our strengths and making us stronger people because of it.”
Junior Trinity leaver July 2015, now reading Music and English at University of Leeds
“It’s a place that allows its students to specialise and thrive in their own directions. Both the teachers and the students share a common enjoyment for music, but besides that, individuality is accepted, even welcomed.”
Junior Trinity leaver July 2014, now studying English at King’s College London
How to apply
Applications for the Main Programme are now open for entry in September 2022.
To apply for our Main Programme please complete our online application via this link. Please read our application guidance for help with your application.
Applications will close at midnight on Tuesday 1st March. If you wish to be considered for a late audition after this date, please email junior@trinitylaban.ac.uk.
Course Requirements
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.
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.
Full audition requirements are available below.
Download Audition Requirements
