Young String Experience
Course Intro
Pro Corda’s open access, weekly, Young String Experience Saturday School started in 2012 in London as an informal partnership with the Royal Academy of Music. Since then it has grown and now serves over 50 young string players each week in Marylebone, London.
YSE is Pro Corda’s weekly Saturday sachool for young string players. No audition is required and YSE provides the perfect platform for Junior music college entry at year 7. YSE combines orchestral training with chamber music and creative musicianship.
We have added a Leadership tier to YSE London giving the older students a chance to stay on the programme as Leadership Students and giving them a range of exciting opportunities including: preparing and performing a concerto movement with the orchestra, extra creative and composition classes and extra performance opportunities at prestigious venues. All graduating “senior” YSE students are eligible to apply to stay on to the Leadership tier.
"Their Pro Corda Saturdays are a true blessing, and the highest point of their week!"
Parent of a YSE student
Course Requirements
Age: 7-14yrs
Entry requirement: Minimum standard Grade 3+
Audition: No audition required
Course length: Each Saturday in term time, from 2:30-4:45pm
Cost: £345 per term. Fees are payable in advance for each term and a term’s notice is required if a child is leaving.
Pro Corda tries to ensure that no student is turned away because of financial barriers so please get in touch if you are facing difficulties. You can also find out more information on our Bursary page.
The next course will take place:
Course Director: Sarah McCabe
Sarah McCabe is a Toronto-born artist and educator now based in London, England. She is currently Head of Education and Curriculum Development for the non-profit educational organisation ‘Be the Band,’ and serves as the Programme Director at the Pro Corda Young String Experience Chamber Music Program.
Under the artist name Hendra, she is set to release her debut album in 2024, generously supported by a grant from the Canada Council for the Arts. It has been produced by Daniel Ledwell and features Jenn Grant and For The Tide.
She is working on a thesis at Guildhall School of Music and Drama, focusing on songwriting as a means of social outreach. Sarah graduated with her MMUS in Viola Performance from Guildhall School of Music and Drama in 2017 studying viola with Matthew Jones, and her BMUS from Acadia University in 2014.
Course Location: Queen's College School
The YSE Course takes place every Saturday afternoon at Queen’s College School, in Harley Street, Central London.
Situated in the very centre of London with easy access to public transport, Queen’s College has fantastic facilities for our afternoon music-making sessions.
