Make Music: Young People - You Ask Us
Who are you?
You are one of around 350 children and young people aged 4-19 who love making music and come to The Glasshouse’s Weekend School to take part in lessons, classes and ensembles. We come from all sorts of backgrounds, and we want to make sure everyone is welcome and can learn with us. Lots of us don’t have to pay any fees, thanks to some really great bursary schemes.
Who will I meet?
Tom, who is the Make Music: Young People, Weekend School Manager
Sammi, who is the Make Music: Young People, Weekend School Coordinator for Foundation and Step Up (Saturdays), Jazz Attack, Reely Folk, Young Sinfonia, Jambone and Quay Voices
Samantha, who is the Make Music: Young People, Weekend School Coordinator for the Centre for Advanced Training (Sundays), Music Exams and Folkestra.
Jamie, who is the Make Music: Young People, Weekend School Programme Assistant
You’ll also meet and work with a massive team of tutors and other visiting musicians. Each of our programmes has an artistic lead who work as a team across all of the areas of MMYP. These are overseen by Principal Study Leader, James Craig.
On residentials and at performances, ensembles will spend time with our pastoral team, a group of people who, as well as being trained to keep you safe, are specifically there to support you and make the experience fun for you.
How can I contact you?
Because we aren’t always in the office at the same time, the quickest way is to send an email to youngmusicians@theglasshouseicm.org.
Where will I be?
Most MMYP activity takes place at The Glasshouse on Saturdays and Sundays. We know that The Glasshouse can seem big, you might not know how to get into the building or where you need to go once you are inside. We are here to make sure you feel welcome, confident and safe. You’ll soon get used to it, find your way around and feel at home. We are always here to help you. We do most of our classes in the Foyle Music Centre on the lower ground floor of the building, which you can find by going down the staircase beside the café.
When are the classes?
Our classes mainly happen on a weekend, but sometimes performances and residentials can take place during the week. Schedules can be found on the individual programme pages: Foundation and Step Up programmes take place on a Saturday daytime and Centre for Advanced Training takes place on a Sunday daytime.
How do I get there?
We have a big car park at the back of the building, and members of MMYP can get parking for £2.50 a day.
If you’re on public transport, then there are buses that stop nearby, and there are metro stations at Gateshead, Central Station, Monument, and Manors, all of which are under a 20-minute walk away. If you’re under 11, you can travel for free on the metro at the weekend when accompanied by a fare-paying adult.
You can see more on how to get here, and details on reaching us if you have access issues here.
So, how do I apply?
First, check out all our programmes and decide what you think you would like to take part in. If you’re not sure, then you can always just drop us an email on youngmusicians@theglasshouseicm.org, and we’ll help you choose.
Applications open in March and close in April for a September start. You will find a form on our home page where your responsible adult will give us some basic information about yourself and any musical experiences you’ve had so far. These experiences can be anything from enjoying singing songs at home, to any exams you might have taken or bands you’ve played in.
CAT, Young Sinfonia, Folkestra and Jambone have auditions which take place during May.
What’s an audition like?
For the last few years, our audition process has switched to being done through audition videos. Most applicants have found this much easier than coming into the building, but we can arrange to see people in person if that is preferable.
We audition people from all backgrounds, and our team is here to make you feel as comfortable as possible throughout the process.
The video below is of our in-person audition process.
For some of our programmes you don’t need to audition. We ask for information on your application form to help us decide who gets places and to make sure this is as fair as possible for everyone.
What happens if I don’t get a place?
If you don’t get a place on our auditioned programmes, we will always provide you with detailed feedback on things to work on and other groups and programmes that might suit you.
If we don’t offer you a place on our non-auditioned programmes, we are always happy to have a more detailed chat if you would like one, either on the phone or in person.
Why do I have to apply so early?
Although it might seem early to apply in March for a September start, we have hundreds of applications each year, and it takes a long time to look at them, review auditions, and help people apply for bursaries. We accept applications after the deadline although it is less likely that places will still be available on your first-choice programme. Please get in touch with us and we will always try our best to work something out.
How much does all this cost?
You can find information on fees on the individual programme pages. Bursaries and grants are available so that lots of young people don’t have to pay any fees.
Where will this take me?
You can stay in MMYP and progress until you’re 19. We have many young people who have gone on to work as professional musicians, as well as many who have chosen to do something different. Whatever you choose to do in the future, we want to support you to gain the skills, confidence and self-belief to make it happen.
You can see some MMYP members’ stories here…
Anna Appleby, Young Sinfonia
Since starting her music training with Young Sinfonia, Newcastle-born composer Anna Appleby, has written for a range of musicians, including opera singers and Royal Northern Sinfonia. Read more.
What do I need?
For most programmes, it is just you and your instrument. On our beginner programmes we will often sort out an instrument for you, or we can advise you on where to buy or rent and schemes to help with the cost. We provide all sheet music for our ensembles. If you’re having individual lessons, your teacher will help you choose the right music to buy. We can often help with the cost of music, strings and reeds etc.
What do I wear?
For rehearsals and lessons, you can wear whatever makes you feel comfortable. For some ensemble concerts we may provide some dress guidelines, usually this is plain black clothes and nothing expensive.
What about food and drink?
All young people in MMYP are entitled to a 10% discount in the café at The Glasshouse. You can collect a membership card from the Foyle Music Centre reception. You are welcome to bring your own packed lunch/snacks and you can eat these anywhere in our building. There are free water dispensers in the FMC but we recommend you bring your own reusable bottle.
Do I have to follow loads of strict rules?
The MMYP team have some simple rules that help everyone to work well together that we call Fair and Square. We do this so that everyone feels safe and like they can achieve their potential in a positive environment.
How much notice do I have to give when leaving mid-year?
If you want to leave the programme, we tend to need six weeks’ notice before the start of a new term. Tom will always be glad to talk about any concerns you might have before you make a decision.
Centre for Advanced Training has a few extra guidelines, which can be found on the CAT information page.
Do I get any discounts on tickets for The Glasshouse?
We do our best to get MMYP students free tickets for things when we can, though this isn’t always possible. When we have free tickets, we always send an email to let you know. Royal Northern Sinfonia offer £5 tickets to under 17s.
Safeguarding
North Music Trust believes that all children and young people have the right to grow up in a safe and caring environment, which includes the right to protection from all types of abuse. They have a right to expect that adults in positions of responsibility do everything possible to uphold these rights. All of our tutors and pastoral staff have a current DBS check and take part in regular training in all areas of safeguarding to keep their knowledge up to date.
If you have any safeguarding concerns or allegations, please report them immediately using the following contact information:
Email: safeguarding@theglasshouseicm.org
Number: 0191 443 4625 (Mon. – Fri., 9am – 5pm); 0191 477 0844
(at night, at weekends and bank holidays)