Early Years Training
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Our Early Years programme welcomes children taking their very first steps into music. Through playful group classes, singing, movement and training on popular classical instruments, children build musical foundations that will support them for life, whether they go on to individual lessons, choirs or simply keep music as a joy at home.
Early Years classes do not require an audition. Children learn in small groups with teachers who specialise in working with young musicians.
What your child will experience
- Singing games and movement activities that build listening, rhythm and pitch awareness, based on the Kodály approach to music education
- Opportunities to learn popular instruments in a relaxed setting
- Age-appropriate activities that support social, emotional and physical development as well as musical skills
- A friendly group environment where children gain confidence and begin to see themselves as “musical”
A pathway into Junior RIAM
Many Early Years students move into Individual Lessons once their attention, stamina and technical ability are ready for Individual Lessons. Others join Junior Choirs. Our team can advise on the best next step for your child as they progress. These more advanced programmes are audition-based entry. Progression for Early Years students is not automatically guaranteed.
Practical information
Classes take place on weekday afternoons and Saturdays at RIAM, with small group sizes to ensure individual attention. Timetables and fees information for the coming academic year are available on our How to join page.
Early Years Pathways
- Pre-instrumental group classes, age 4 to 7
A creative introduction to music through singing, games and movement, ideal for children who are brand new to music. Classes take place on Friday afternoons and Saturday mornings.
- Introduction to Violin, Brass, Recorder, Oboe and Guitar, age 6 to 12
Small group classes that introduce the basics of each instrument, help children decide what suits them and prepare them for Individual Lessons when ready. The skills they gain here travel with them, so starting on violin, brass or recorder is a natural first step into the wider family of instruments later on. For example, start on recorder to open opportunities in flute, clarinet, oboe, bassoon or saxophone.
- Magic Melodies Training Choir, age 6 to 8
A singing-based option for children who love to use their voice, building listening skills, pitch, rhythm and confidence in a friendly group setting.
Early Years Piano – Applications 2026/27
The Early Years Piano programme is under review and will not be offered for the 2026/27 academic year.
RIAM’s pre-instrumental classes offer the musical building blocks for budding young musicians between the ages of 4 and 7 years. Children learn through group activities in a structured, enjoyable and stimulating way, appropriate to the mental and physical stages of their development.
Our pre-instrumental curriculum follows the Kodaly concept of music education, which develops musicianship through singing. Using their voice has a profound effect upon the child’s physical, social, emotional and intellectual development and is the most direct way of making a musical response.
- The aims of RIAM’s pre-instrumental classes are:
- To awaken the child’s interest in music
- Development of beat and rhythm skills
- Development of aural abilities
- Inner hearing
- Timbre/tone quality
- Musical memory
- Listening skills
- Notation reading/writing
- Performing
- Introduction to instruments
Group levels are:
4 – 5 years; 5 – 6 years; 6 – 7 years; 7 – 8 years
No of Weeks per Year: 30 Weeks per Academic Year
Duration of Class: 45 minutes
Fee: €885 for the Academic year starting September 2026
Audition is not required for pre-instrumental classes, but all children must audition to move on to individual instrumental tuition.
Recorder classes are designed for 7-12 year old students. These classes are an ideal starting point for anyone intending to progress to wind, brass or percussion instruments.
Class sizes are small, not more than four students. The classes are held each week during the academic year. Students learn the basic techniques of recorder playing, breathing and reading music in a relaxed environment.
Students take part in the RIAM Recorder Ensemble where they get an invaluable grounding in ensemble playing and music making. The RIAM Recorder Ensemble plays at many concerts throughout the year, including the Performing Groups concert.
Students will take recorder for two years. They have the option of applying to audition for individual classes in recorder or any other wind, brass or percussion instrument in their second year.
No of Weeks per Year: 30 Weeks per Academic Year
Fee: €995 for the Academic year starting September 2026
Join one of RIAM's young vocal ensembles to develop the skills of good breathing, posture, intonation and rhythm in the company of your peers:
Magic melodies: age 6-8, suitable for children who have just started an instrument or who are absolute beginners. No audition required.
Junior: age 8 to 11. Entry by audition
Intermediate: age 12 to 14. Entry by audition
Advanced: age 15 to 18. Entry by audition
No of Weeks per Year: 30 Weeks per Academic Year
Fees: €495 for the Academic year starting September 2026
This 2-year programme is aimed at beginners aged 6 - 8. This introductory class is designed to give all violin beginners a chance to learn the basics in a group environment, where they will also build listening, social and communication skills. The classes are scheduled to allow time for set-up and post class questions within the hour.
The classes will cover:
- Basic violin technique — bowing technique, fingering, relaxation, posture
- Basic music theory — pitch, rhythm, key, time signature, dynamics, intervals
- Playing easy violin repertoire
- Playing easy violin duets with classmates and teacher
- Scales and arpeggios
Music theory is fully integrated into the course alongside fun repertoire, technical exercises, duet and ensemble playing.
The teacher may advise students who are in the second year of the programme to apply to audition for individual lessons for the forthcoming Academic year. The skills learnt on this 2-year programme can be used as valuable preparation for further musical study on not only the violin, but on any stringed instrument.
No audition is required for this introductory class.
No of Weeks per Year: 30 Weeks per Academic Year
Duration of Class: 40 minutes
Class Size: maximum of 2 per class
Fee: €995 for the Academic year starting September 2026
This 2-year programme is aimed at beginners aged 6 - 12. This introductory class is designed to provide students with an opportunity to learn the fundamentals of brass playing in an encouraging group environment, where they will also build listening, social and communication skills. The classes are scheduled to allow time for set-up and post class questions within the hour.
The classes will cover:
- Basic brass technique — buzzing, breath control, relaxation, posture
- Basic music theory — pitch, rhythm, key, time signature, dynamics, intervals
- Playing introductory brass repertoire
- Playing introductory brass duets with classmates and teacher
- Scales and arpeggios
Music theory is fully integrated into the course alongside fun repertoire, technical exercises, duet and ensemble playing.
The teacher may advise students who are in the second year of the programme to apply to audition for individual lessons for the forthcoming Academic year. The skills learnt on this 2-year programme can be used as valuable preparation for further musical study.
No audition is required for this introductory class.
No of Weeks per Year: 30 Weeks per Academic Year
Duration of Class: 60 minutes
Fee: €995 for the Academic year starting September 2026
This 2-year programme is aimed at beginners aged 7 - 11. This introductory class is designed to give all guitar beginners a chance to learn the basics in a group environment, where they will also build listening, social and communication skills. The classes are scheduled to allow time for set-up and post class questions within the hour.
The classes will cover:
- Basic guitar technique — picking, fingering, relaxation, posture
- Basic music theory — pitch, rhythm, key, time signature, dynamics, intervals
- Playing introductory guitar repertoire
- Playing introductory guitar duets with classmates and teacher
- Scales and arpeggios
Music theory is fully integrated into the course alongside fun repertoire, technical exercises, duet and ensemble playing.
The teacher may advise students who are in the second year of the programme to apply to audition for individual lessons for the forthcoming Academic year. The skills learnt on this 2-year programme can be used as valuable preparation for further musical study.
No audition is required for this introductory class.
No of Weeks per Year: 30 Weeks per Academic Year
Duration of Class: 60 minutes
Class Size: maximum of 4 per class
Fee: €995 for the Academic year starting September 2026
This 2-year programme is aimed at beginners aged 7 - 12. This introductory class is designed to give all Oboe beginners a chance to learn the basics in a group environment, where they will also build listening, social and communication skills. The classes are scheduled to allow time for set-up and post-class questions within the hour.
The classes will cover:
- Breathing techniques and controlling the air freely using movement
- Scales and Arpeggios
- Music theory and notation
- Easy Oboe repertoire
- All about the Oboe as an instrument
- Parents are encouraged to attend the first 30 minutes of the class to provide further support of their child’s musical journey and contribute to a positive learning experience.
Music theory is fully integrated into the course alongside fun repertoire, technical exercises, duet and ensemble playing.
No audition is required for this introductory class.
No of Weeks per Year: 30 Weeks per Academic Year
Duration of Class: 60 minutes
Class Size: maximum of 3 per class
Fee: €995 for the Academic year starting September 2026
For more information email [email protected]
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