Woodwind
Woodwind instruments make their sound by blowing across an edge, or by causing a reed to vibrate. We are pleased to be able to offer the following instruments:
Flute
Oboe
Clarinet
Saxophone
GCSE and A-level music
Jersey Academy of Music is pleased to be able to offer tuition for GCSE and A-level music. Tuition currently takes place on Saturdays, and lessons mix practical learning with academic writing. Students perform, compose and study a variety of set pieces for each qualification – the A-level pieces are as varied as a Bach cantata and the score to Psycho. We are able to offer additional support for composition, as well as experienced accompanists for the performance element of both courses. The GCSE music class is open to students from 11 years old who show sufficient musical and academic ability.
Strings
Stringed instruments produce their sound by causing a string to pass vibrations to the air. They can be plucked, or use a bow. JAM can offer tuition in the following:
Violin/Viola
Cello
Double Bass
Classical Guitar
Harp – hybrid tuition with a visiting tutor (mixture of online and in-person lessons)
Theory and Ensemble Tuition, Events and Courses
Music theory examinations are often necessary in order to access higher level performance exams, meaning that many of our instrumental students will be required to complete a minimum of grade 5 ABRSM theory. Jersey Academy of Music is able to offer music theory tuition up to and including grade 8, with grades 6 and above counting for UCAS points. We run regular theory ‘boot camps’ for those approaching grade 5 level.
The Academy also offers ensemble and chamber music coaching, with our performing ensembles including Vermont Brass, Flutasia (flute choir), Lufratazzi (strings and piano) and a senior saxophone ensemble. The academic year 2021-2022 saw the birth of JASTO, a full orchestra comprising students, teachers, parents and friends of the Academy.
We offer regular summer courses open to all young musicians, and have a good working relationship with Crafty Musicians who run a musical summer school for younger students.
Brass
Brass instruments require their player to ‘buzz’ their lips, which in turn causes the column of air to vibrate. We can teach:
Trumpet
Cornet
Trombone
French horn
Tenor horn
Preschool, Key Stage 1 and Home Education Classes
The Academy offers group lessons for children as young as 18 months, introducing them (with their parents) to the elements of pulse, rhythm and pitch through a combination of movement, song and the playing of handheld percussion instruments. These small group classes are based around the pedagogical principles of Dalcroze and Kodaly, as well as tying in to all the requirements of the National Curriculum. The current preschool sessions take place on Saturday mornings, and at time of writing the Home Education music group meets on a Thursday afternoon. We also welcome other enquiries from home educators, as some of our teachers have availability during the traditional school day.
Percussion
Anything you can hit, shake or scrape is a percussion instrument! Our percussion specialist can teach you everything you know, but you are likely to learn how to play a variety of tuned and untuned instruments, which might include:
Timpani
Snare Drum
Xylophone
Glockenspiel
Marimba
Piano
The piano is a popular instrument, and often taken as a second study since it is helpful for composition (writing music) and for accompanying other instruments. It occasionally features in orchestral playing. Many of our faculty teach piano.
Voice
Our specialist vocal department offer singing tuition in a range of styles from classical voice and opera to singing for musical theatre.
