Advanced Programme
Location and Time
Our advanced students meet in St Monica’s Trust in Westbury-on-Trym every Wednesday evening during term-time from 6:30pm – 9:30pm.
Fees
The cost is £41 a week for advanced students to include all chamber tuition and general musicianship training.
Fees are paid mid-term on invoice.
Bursaries are available – please email bristolpreconservatoire@gmail.com to find out more.
Opportunities
- Intensive small-group ensemble training delivered by inspirational performing musicians
- Interactive workshops
- Prize-winning guest performers
- Workshop leaders from conservatoires and universities
- Aural skills and singing
- Improvisation training for all instruments
- Professional skills development incl. performance opportunities & recording / sound engineering
In addition we also offer audition preparation, performance classes, lessons on how to practice effectively as a soloist and in a group, stagecraft, and opportunities to attend concerts as a group.
Advanced programme – a typical evening
6:30 – 7:15pm:
Workshop (“Opening Session”) on music appreciation, theory and ear training, with regular visiting artists.
Find out more about our opening sessions here.
7:15 – 7:30pm:
Break and refreshments.
7:30 – 9:30pm:
Session with ensemble tutor working on repertoire, theory and technique.
All our tutors are highly experienced and successful performing musicians, with most holding teaching positions at UK conservatoires and music schools. Meet our tutors here.
Advanced programme requirements:
›Aged 11 – 18
›Grade 7+ standard or equivalent on your instrument or voice
›Open-minded and ready to be challenged
›Keen to learn as part of a small ensemble
›Able to commit to once-weekly evening classes on Wednesdays during term-time. Find next year´s dates here.
We welcome talented young musicians who are serious about their music.
We audition annually in May. This year´s auditions are on 17 May 2026. Find out more and apply here.
We will also audition applicants throughout the year where space and groupings allow.
Any questions? Email bristolpreconservatoire@gmail.com
“I really love coming here! I have learnt so much and it is super useful for my musicianship skills – you get taught so many things here that aren´t taught at other places, like improvisation. It is a great opportunity to make musical friends, play collaboratively and share a love for music!” (Student, Spring 2026)
Read more testimonials here!
Intermediate programme
Location and Time
Our intermediate students meet in St Monica’s Trust in Westbury-on-Trym every Wednesday evening during term-time from 5:15pm-7:30pm.
Fees
The cost is £27 a week for intermediate students to include all chamber tuition and general musicianship training.
Fees are paid half-termly on invoice.
Bursaries are available – please email bristolpreconservatoire@gmail.com to find out more.
Opportunities
- Intensive small-group ensemble training delivered by inspirational performing musicians
- Interactive workshops
- Prize-winning guest performers
- Workshop leaders from conservatoires and universities
- Aural skills and singing
- Improvisation training for all instruments
- Professional skills development incl. performance opportunities & recording / sound engineering
In addition we also offer audition preparation, performance classes, lessons on how to practice effectively as a soloist and in a group, stagecraft, and opportunities to attend concerts as a group.
A typical evening
Intermediate programme
5:15-6:15pm
Session with ensemble tutor working on repertoire, theory and technique.
All our tutors are highly experienced and successful performing musicians, with most teaching positions at UK conservatoires and music schools. Meet our tutors here.
6:30-7:15pm
Workshop (“Opening Session”) on music appreciation, understanding theory through improvisation and ear training, with regular visiting artists.
Find out more about our opening sessions here.
7:15 – 7:30pm
Refreshments.
Intermediate programme requirements:
›Aged 11-18
›Grade 6+ standard or equivalent on your instrument or voice
›Open-minded and ready to be challenged
›Keen to learn as part of a small ensemble
›Able to commit to once-weekly evening classes on Wednesdays during term-time. Find next year´s dates here.
We welcome talented young musicians who are serious about their music.
We audition annually in May. This year´s auditions are on 17 May 2026. Find out more and apply here.
We will also audition applicants throughout the year where space and groupings allow.
Any questions? Email bristolpreconservatoire@gmail.com
Opening Sessions
All Pre-Con students attend weekly workshops and recitals (“Opening Sessions”, Wednesdays 6:30-7:15) dedicated to multi-genre musical exploration and improvisation.
The 2025-2026 year has seen workshops on breathing, rhythmic “pocket”, song-writing, silence, harmonic modes, synaesthesia, Cuban music, and Classical improvisation, amongst many others. Classes are led by Artistic Director Jonathan Rees and Assistant Artistic Director Alex Goodyear, and by exceptional external workshop leaders. The 2025-2026 year has seen workshops led by jazz singer Fini Bearman, Helen Reid (Guildhall, Bristol University, Bath Spa University), Andrew Bain (Head of Jazz at RWCMD), Emma Hornby (Head of Music at Bristol University), Jenna Brown (vocal health, breathing and posture specialist), and drummers Asaf Sirkis and Pete “The Beat” Vilk.
We have run conservatoire-style performance classes, a vocal health and posture drop-in-clinic, and also made an opera in an evening, led by composer Richard Barnard.
We´ve also hosted in-house concerts by Pre-Con founder Jon James and his Dovetail Orchestra for refugees and asylum-seekers, guitar virtuoso Jack Hancher, Bristol Ensemble, jazz bassist (and Pre-Con alumnus) Toby Yapp, and international-award-winning Fibonacci Quartet.
Confirmed workshops for 2026-2027:
Afro-Cuban / Salsa play & dance session with Tania and Abelardo Salabet (Salsa is Life).
Gamelan workshop with Bristol Bali Gamelan.
Make a Musical in an evening with Richard Barnard and a professional Musical singer.
Ceilidh play & dance session
Performance classes
Pre-Con Term and Concert Dates
All tuition and concerts at St Monica Trust, Cote Ln, Westbury on Trym, Bristol BS9 3UN, unless otherwise indicated.
Summer Term 2026
- April 22 – May 20
- May 27 – Half term (no session)
- June 3 – June 24
- End-of-Year Concert Sunday 28 June (7-8:30pm)
Additional events in summer term 2026:
- 29/4/2026 – Apollo Session, St George´s Bristol
- 6/5/2026 (6:30-7:15pm) – Joe Herbert Trio featuring Toby Yapp (Pre-Con alumnus), St Monica Trust
- 9/5/2026 – Music For Miniatures, Henleaze
- 10/6/2026 (evening) – “Future Promoters”, Glass Studio, St George’s, Bristol
- 13/6/2026 – Music For Miniatures, Southville
- 13/6/2026 – Centenary Charity Concert, St Peter´s, Henleaze
Academic Year 2026-2027
Autumn Term 2026
9/9/26 – 2/12/26 (no session on 28/11/26) with concert at 7pm on Sunday 6/12/26
Spring Term 2027
6/1/27 – 17/3/27 (no session on 17/2/26) with concert at 7pm on Sunday 21/3/27
Summer Term 2027
14/4/27 – 30/6/27 (no session on 2/6/27) with concert at 7pm on Sunday 4/7/27