The Glasshouse

The Glasshouse International Centre for Music is inviting applications for its Weekend School, with an expanded programme for the 2026/27 academic year.

Weekend School is a place for young people aged 4-18 to get involved with music. Taking place on Saturdays and Sundays during term time, it offers classes, ensembles and courses for all stages – from first notes through to more advanced training. There are lots of chances to perform, get creative and make new friends.

This year, the programme has grown to include more places and new routes into music, opening it up to more young people across the region. Young people can join at different ages and stages, with many options that don’t require an audition.

A new strand, Elevate (ages 14-18), has been introduced for those interested in songwriting, music production and creating their own work. It offers space to experiment, collaborate and develop ideas, while also developing instrumental and performance skills.

Across the programme, there is a strong focus on playing together. Choirs, bands and ensembles bring young musicians into shared music-making, whether they’re just starting out or building on existing skills.

For younger children, Foundation and Step Up sessions offer a starting point, building confidence through group playing and hands-on learning. For those wanting to go further, the Centre for Advanced Training provides specialist tuition and structured pathways.

New groups for 2026/27 include Initiate, a practical group exploring popular and jazz styles, and Syncopate, a rhythm-based ensemble focused on percussion and groove.

For the young people who take part, the impact is clear:

“When I play the violin, I feel happy.”

“For me, playing the saxophone is a relief from every other aspect of my life. It’s a way of expressing myself.”

“It’s like I’m in my happy place.”

Financial support is available across all areas of Weekend School, with bursaries and grants helping to ensure cost is not a barrier to taking part. In 2025-26, families received over £230,000 in support, with many students able to take part free of charge.

One parent said: “For me, being able to get scholarships for my children when I was on a zero-hours contract was amazing. I want everyone to know about the funding help you can get. As a parent, you want your children to access these things but some of them are really inaccessible and unaffordable, but here there is something for everyone.”

Susanna Mogaji, Director of Creative Learning said:

“What makes Weekend School special is the sense of community around it. Young people come in at different stages and quickly find their place, whether that’s playing in a group, singing with others or creating their own music. We’ve expanded the programme this year, creating more ways for young people to get involved.”

Applications for Weekend School 2026/27 are open until Tuesday 28 April. Some late applications may still be considered.

More information, including a guide to choosing the right course, is available here.

ENDS