Online Music Appreciation Course for Keen Young Musicians
A small-group course for musically curious children seeking a deeper, more holistic understanding of music
For many musically gifted children, instrumental lessons and exam preparation form only part of a truly rich musical education.
Learning an instrument is vital. Technical progress matters. Exams provide structure. Yet musicianship is broader than this. It includes the ability to listen deeply, to make connections across styles and periods, to speak thoughtfully about what one hears, and to respond with confidence and curiosity.
This online music appreciation course has been designed to nurture that wider musicianship.
While the skills developed here are undoubtedly valuable for music scholarship interviews, the course is first and foremost for keen young musicians who want more than just weekly lessons — children who are ready to think, listen and engage with music on a deeper level.
This programme is part of a growing need for meaningful music appreciation for children — offering intellectual stretch beyond the curriculum in a structured, discussion-led setting.
“Each session is immersive and interactive — your child will not simply listen, but think, question, and grow more articulate throughout.”
Professor Rebecca Hammond, MMus, Pg Cert, FHEA
Suitable for children aged 8–13
What Is Music Appreciation?
Music appreciation is the study of music through listening, discussion and contextual understanding. Rather than focusing solely on performance or exams, it develops a child’s ability to analyse, articulate and respond thoughtfully to music across styles and periods.
In practice, music appreciation classes give children space to step back from their instrument and explore music more broadly — understanding how it is constructed, interpreted and experienced.
Why Music Appreciation Matters
A rich musical education is not only about playing well; it is about understanding what one is playing, and why it matters.
Through carefully guided listening and small-group music discussion, children are encouraged to slow down and listen with intention. Instead of moving quickly from one piece to the next, they dwell on sound, structure, character and context. They learn to ask better questions — and to form more thoughtful answers.
In our music appreciation classes, pupils learn to:
Notice detail and describe it with clarity
Compare styles, composers and interpretations with discernment
Make connections across periods, genres and musical traditions
Reflect on their own responses and preferences
Speak about music with confidence and independence
Over time, this develops a deeper kind of musicianship — one that strengthens instrumental study, enriches performance, and, where relevant, supports interviews and auditions through genuine understanding.
Who This Course Is For
This online music appreciation course is intended for a small, carefully shaped group of musically curious children who:
Are curious about music beyond their own repertoire
Would benefit from thoughtful, discussion-led exploration alongside other able peers
Want to build confidence in articulating their thoughts and sharing opinions
Enjoy listening to and talking about music
Are aged 8+
This course is particularly helpful for those considering music scholarships at 11+ or 13+, but this is not a requirement for participation.
The course is not designed as a general music club or theory class. It is deliberately intellectually stimulating, discussion-led, and focused on musical thinking.
About the First Cohort
This online music appreciation course will initially run with a single small cohort, allowing us to ensure depth of discussion and a high-quality experience for every child involved.
Format
4 live online sessions
Small group (5–8 students)
Saturday mornings, 9:00–10:00am or 10:00–11:00am
Dates
Saturday 25th April
Saturday 2nd May
Saturday 9th May
Saturday 16th May
Fee
£149
About Rebecca Hammond, MMus, Pg Cert, FHEA
Rebecca Hammond teaches at three of the UK’s leading conservatoires: she is Professor of Baroque Bassoon at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, and Assistant Professor of Historical Bassoons at the Royal Academy of Music.
A Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, she combines a performing career with extensive teaching at the highest level, including lectures, masterclasses and adjudication at the Royal College of Music.
Alongside her conservatoire work, she spent over a decade teaching in leading London schools, where she designed and delivered music appreciation for children preparing for advanced musical study.
Her work combines conservatoire-level musical insight with long experience of teaching bright, enquiring young musicians — a combination that brings both depth and clarity to this course.
Teaching Approach
Sessions are led by Rebecca Hammond and centre on small-group music discussion.
This is not a passive experience. Each session is immersive and highly interactive, built around guided questioning, shared listening and thoughtful exchange of ideas. Children are encouraged to respond, reflect, challenge and refine their thinking in real time.
The course emphasises:
Guided listening
Active participation and discussion
Carefully framed questioning
Exposure to a wide range of repertoire
Encouraging children to form and express their own musical responses
Rather than teaching children what to think, the aim is to help them become confident, articulate musical thinkers — an invaluable skill in their ongoing musical development.
A Thoughtful, Small-Scale Cohort
Places are intentionally limited. Our aim is to shape a cohort with the right balance of ages, experience and temperament, so that discussion feels natural, focused and intellectually energising.
The small-group format allows ideas to be explored in depth, with space to probe, question and refine thinking. It ensures that reserved children feel comfortable contributing, while articulate pupils are appropriately challenged.
Because the group is small, the approach remains flexible and responsive — conversations can follow promising lines of thought and insights can be developed rather than rushed.
Families are invited to apply for a place rather than booking directly. This allows us to curate a strong group dynamic.
The application process is straightforward and welcoming; its purpose is simply to ensure that each child will feel comfortable, appropriately stretched, and able to contribute with confidence.
If you feel this course would be a good fit for your child, we invite you to complete a short application form.
We review each application carefully, considering both the individual and overall group balance, and will be in touch shortly with next steps.
This course forms part of Prelude Education’s wider work supporting musically able children and families through private tuition, scholarship preparation, and thoughtful musical education.
Frequently asked questions
Here are the answers parents ask most before starting with us.
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Yes. All sessions are delivered live online in a structured small-group format, allowing for meaningful discussion and interaction.
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The course is designed for musically curious children aged 8–13 who wish to deepen their understanding of music beyond instrumental lessons.
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No. While the course can support scholarship preparation, it is equally valuable for any child seeking broader musical understanding.
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Instrumental lessons focus on technique and repertoire. This music appreciation course focuses on listening, analysis, context and discussion — developing the wider musicianship that underpins confident performance.
Further Reading for parents
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![Girl learning piano in a piano lesson]()
Ultimate Guide to Music Scholarships
Interested in how to best prepare your child for a music scholarship? Read the best Ultimate Guide to Music Scholarships written by music scholarship experts.
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![Girl practicing the harp]()
Music Scholarship Advisory Services
Looking for further support in how to achieve a music scholarship? Read more about our Scholarship Advisory Services for 11+, 13+ and 16+ music scholarships
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![Ex-Eton College Music Director]()
Watch Ralph Allwood Discuss Scholarships
Watch Ralph Allwood MBE, Director of Music at Eton College for 26 years, discuss 6 tips of how to get a music scholarship to British private and independent schools.
