The Virtual Menuhin School (VMS) is the Yehudi Menuhin School’s online community, connecting young musicians from all over the world. We provide online music education to musicians aged 7-16, connecting them with high-level music teachers.
Pupils who are part of our Virtual School engage in weekly musicianship classes to learn and develop skills and techniques that will underpin their lifelong musical journey. Virtual pupils have a minimum of 3 hours' contact time with an instrument tutor per term to provide guidance to instrument training, with the option of adding extra lessons.
We have three central aims:
- Connect young musicians from all over the world
- Provide high level musical education online
- Create a way for young people to engage with the work of the Menuhin School
Through VMS, pupils will learn a whole range of musical skills to prepare them for life as a young musician, such as 1:1 instrumental lessons, theory, harmony, music history, aural training, as well as a variety of workshops and forums.
In line with Yehudi Menuhin's vision to provide a musical education to talented children regardless of their means, we endeavour to provide financial support in the form of bursaries to parents who need it most. Please contact us for further information on fees and support.
Who is VMS for?
VMS is for young people who are very keen on music, have been learning either a string instrument or piano for at least a year, and have an interest in learning about specialist music education.
What is the provision?
At VMS we have three main strands:
- VMS Light - A trimmed down version of the provision outlined below, to give young musicians an introduction to the online course.
- VMS Standard -Our main course offering, including all the fundamental provision.
- VMS Pathway - Some pupils may be invited to join VMS Pathway, which provides a more intensive approach, preparing pupils to join the Yehudi Menuhin School in one of the following academic years.
Instrumental teaching:
- We provide 1:1 instrumental lessons online, which are organised at a time that is convenient for you. These can be 30 minutes weekly, or 45 minutes every fortnight.
- Extra lessons can be provided in consultation with your instrumental teacher (piano, violin, cello). These lessons are paid for in addition to the termly costs.
Musicianship training:
- All pupils receive musicianship training on VMS, including aural training in solfege, music theory and harmony, and music history. These classes happen on either a Friday evening or Saturday morning, depending on your time zone. Pupils have classes in small groups (maximum four pupils per group) and will be set work to complete each week during term time.
Enrichment:
- Digital resources such as worksheets, information videos, and a subscription to Earmaster (a fantastic aural training application for musicians)
- Half-termly workshops on music history
- Performance workshops (Pathway only)
- Mentorship from YMS Students
- Parent forum
- Digital concert hangouts, streamed live from Menuhin Hall
How is the provision delivered?
All VMS classes take place on Microsoft Teams. Pupils will be set up with a Teams account and they will be able to see their weekly schedule online.
How do I apply?
Please fill out the application form via the banner at the bottom of this page. You will need to provide links to at least two online videos of your child's instrumental playing. Your application will be reviewed by Marco Galvani (Programme Lead and Deputy Director of Music at YMS), and your child may be invited for an online assessment. In this session we will ask them to play a piece of their choice, have a short assessment of their aural perception and theory knowledge, as well as a conversation about their general awareness and appreciation of music.
After this process, we will be in contact via email, offering a place on one of the VMS strands outlined above.
