Core Classes
We offer a vast range of classes that cover multiple aspects of musicianship from our chamber orchestra and choirs to composition lessons and world music. Each class is custom-made for the pupils within it by a member of staff, ensuring that students remain excited, engaged and challenged every single week. Whether it be in a large choir, small ensemble or one-to-one tutoring all our classes help students to grow through collaboration with their peers and expert tuition.
Every student is entitled to individual instrumental tuition as well as a selection of classes covering an extensive range of musical disciplines.
Due to the many changes happening to music education this year, we are pleased to still be able to offer top-quality teaching both in person and over Zoom. We are abreast all of the latest guidance regarding the ongoing pandemic, and we are making sure that all of our in-person activities are Covid-secure.
Instrumental Lessons
Ensembles and Orchestras
Performance Classes
Classroom-based Learning
Choir
Specialist Tuition
Instrumental Classes
Sheffield Music Academy provides specialist 1:1 instrumental tuition of 30, 45 or 60 minutes from a team of passionate and exceptional tutors who travel across the country each week to work with our students. Tuition is available on the following instruments and disciplines:
Strings – Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass.
Wind – Bassoon, Clarinet, Flute, Oboe, Saxophone, Recorder.
Brass – Cornet, French Horn, Trombone, Trumpet.
Percussion – Drums, Percussion, Keyboard, Piano.
Guitar – Classical, Electric and Bass.
Voice – Classical, Jazz, Opera, Popular.
Performance Opportunities
Performing and celebrating our student's achievements lies at the heart of Sheffield Music Academy. From our weekly lunchtime concerts to termly celebrations of student's achievements, our pupils are never short of performance opportunities. Below is a breakdown of some of the 40 opportunities for performance every single year.
Outside their individual lessons students have the opportunity to develop new musical skills and enhance their existing ones in optional classes that broaden their musical horizons. These classes include;
Chamber Groups - From piano trios to string quartets our small ensembles give students the opportunity to make music together with other students of their ability.
Pop/Folk/Jazz - Our resident band is a place for students to explore and perform popular, rock and jazz music.
Composition - Gives students the opportunity to develop and write their own compositions as well as learning new techniques, with the chance for workshopping and to hear their pieces performed.
Musicianship - A class dedicated to the development of each individual's all round musicianship and knowledge. From exploring the great riot-causing ballets of the 20th century to the learning intricate details of medieval counterpoint Musicianship arms students with the knowledge to enhance and expand their practical music making.
Chamber Orchestra - Here students will experience orchestral music making, tackling large scale orchestral works from symphonies to overtures as well as regular collaboration with our choir. Chamber Orchestra offers our young musicians the chance to play together in our largest and most advanced ensemble.
Aural - As well as providing all important preparation for upcoming exams, aural classes give students a grounding in musicianship and technique that will enhance all aspects of their music making.
Theory - Provides students with a technical and theoretical grounding that will help them to advance in their practical studies as well as other disciplines such as composition. Whether students are working towards their all-important grade five theory or not these classes are indispensable!
Lunchtime concerts
Every Saturday selected students play for peers and parents in the lunchtime concert held in Birkdale Senior School's Heeley Hall at 1.15pm
Evening concerts
Throughout the year students are given the opportunity perform at more formal venues and occasions. In the past students have performed at venues such as Sheffield City Hall, Upper Chapel, Sheffield Cathedral and The Crucible as well as in more unique venues such as Sheffield Winter Gardens and Yellow Arch Studios. Our regular involvement with festivals such as Sheffield Classical Weekend and The Broomhill Festival also ensures that our students are constantly playing to new and different audiences.
Internal workshops
Throughout the year we welcome visiting practitioners to work with our students on ensemble and individual performance in specialist masterclasses and unique one on one lessons.
External workshops
Three times a year we take time to focus on a different study or discipline welcoming students from outside Academy and often led by professional musicians. SMA has close links with Royal Northern College of Music, Birmingham Conservatoire, Classical Sheffield, Music in the Round and the University of Sheffield to name a few!
Instrumental Classes
Each week students get the opportunity to perform to their peers and tutors in performance classes centred around each performer's development and improvement. Students get the opportunity to provide feedback and develop their listening skills at the same time. We currently host weekly Piano, String, Guitar, Woodwind and Voice classes at junior, intermediate and senior levels.
Photo Samantha Avila Ricci and Matthew Stroud.
