YMS offers principal study in violin, viola, cello, double bass, classical guitar, harp, piano and composition.
Lesson allocations and provisions are carefully tailored to the needs of the individual, and focus is placed on encouraging the pupils’ artistic and social development through a diverse and holistic range of musical activities. Chamber music, in particular, is considered central to the pupils’ education, and every child will be regularly included in ensemble playing during their time at YMS.
The majority of pupils at YMS have a supporting study, and all non first-study pianists study the piano. Lessons are also available in harpsichord, conducting, singing, music technology and jazz, whilst all pupils will be required to study composition as part of their course work.
Pupils are given frequent opportunities to perform, whether in internal lunchtime concerts, public-facing recitals onsite, or via a wide-array of external engagements. Of particular benefit are the platforms provided for pupils to perform in chamber music settings alongside members of the music faculty and visiting artists, thus ensuring they develop their experience of working alongside world-class musicians at a young age.
The School holds termly assessments, each of which have different criteria designed to monitor pupil progress across all aspects of their artistic and technical development.
