Primary Academy | Royal Academy of Music

Talented musicians aged eight to twelve will thrive in this supportive learning environment

Primary Academy is a great way to spend your Saturdays. As well as developing musically, you’ll have lots of fun with friends who, like you, really enjoy their music making!

All teaching is given by members of the Junior Academy Department, under the general direction of Krystyna Budzynska, Director of Primary Academy.

Primary Academy offers Principal Study lessons in:

In addition to your individual instrumental lessons with outstanding teachers, many of whom also teach in Junior Academy, you will play chamber music, sing in the choir, improve your aural, theory and general musicianship and, if you are a string or wind player, play in either a string or wind ensemble.

We expect applicants auditioning for Primary Academy to have attained at least ABRSM Grade 5 distinction (or the equivalent standard) on their first-study instrument.

Live audition fee

If you are invited to a live audition there will be a £40 audition fee.

2023/24 Academic Year

	per term	per annum
Primary Academy course	£710	£2,130
Extra 20 minutes (to give 1 hour lesson)	£195	£585
Course fee without individual tuition	£400	£1,200
2nd study, per 30 minutes	£295	£885

2024/25 Academic Year

	per term	per annum
Primary Academy course	£720	£2,160
Extra 20 minutes (to give 1 hour lesson)	£200	£600
Course fee without individual tuition	£410	£1,230
2nd Study, per 30 minutes	£300	£900

Fees are payable each term on receipt of an invoice.

A full term’s notice in writing is required for withdrawal of a pupil from the course. A term’s fee will be charged in lieu of such notice.

Auditions for entry will be a two part process, with a video submission followed by a live recall for selected applicants.

We aim to make the audition experience as enjoyable and supportive as possible – we want to hear you play your best and we always enjoy meeting students who love music as much as we do.

We would expect candidates to be excused from school if necessary. We will try to accommodate any stated non-availability but are not able to accept requests for specific audition dates. Scheduling of audition dates will begin after the closing date for applications and we aim to send out audition letters in March.

We welcome applications from potential students with disabilities or special needs who meet the expected musical performance criteria.

VIDEO SUBMISSION

Please provide:

Two contrasting songs on your first study instrument (10 mins max in combination).
A short video (3 mins max) featuring a little bit about you, the importance of music in your life, why you wish to come to Primary Academy and what you hope to achieve in the future.

Your pieces can be recorded with an accompanist if you would like, but it is not expected. Please do not use a backing track.

Please see Self Tape Advice for further assistance on how to produce your video.

LIVE AUDITIONS

If you are selected for a live audition you can play the same two pieces as your video audition, or choose to play entirely different pieces - it's up to you.

Applicants should prepare two contrasting pieces on their main instrument. Where second (or more) instruments are learned, we like to hear one piece to gain as full a picture of musical ability as possible.

If you are invited to a live audition there will be a £40 audition fee.

Applications for the Primary Academy course starting in September 2024 are now closed.