Musicianship Class
Current Students, Parents and Guardians
What are Musicianship classes?
Musicianship classes support and enrich every student’s instrumental or vocal lessons. Through weekly group classes, students learn how music works, how to read and write it, and how to listen with a trained ear.
All Junior RIAM students begin Musicianship in the academic year in which they turn eight. The programme then continues through the senior levels, building skills step by step.
Class sizes and lesson duration
Musicianship classes are deliberately small so that teachers can get to know each student and follow their progress closely. As students move into higher levels, group sizes reduce and there is more time to explore advanced material in depth.
Preparatory and Levels 1 to 4
Lesson length, 40 minutes
Group size, up to 10 students
Levels 5 to 9
Lesson length, 40 minutes
Group size, up to 6 students
Level 10
Lesson length, 60 minutes
Group size, up to 4 students
What students learn
The Musicianship curriculum is comprehensive and built around three connected strands:
Written theory
Reading and writing music, understanding keys, scales, chords, rhythm and form.Aural training, listening and dictation
Hearing patterns, intervals and rhythms, then writing them down and recognising them in the music students play.Aural training, sight singing
Using the voice to read and sing music at sight, which strengthens pitch, inner hearing and musical memory.
These three strands work together so that every new idea on the page is linked to real sound. Aural training develops the ear, supports secure performance and helps students feel more confident and independent as musicians.
Our teaching approach
Musicianship classes are practical, interactive, and child-centred. Lessons include written work, singing, clapping, listening and creative tasks so that students stay engaged and can learn in different ways. Teachers keep a close eye on each student’s progress and adjust the pace and focus as needed.
Our Musicianship staff are leaders in the field of academic music, and include international composers, performers and researchers who bring their expertise into the classroom in an accessible way.