Chetham's Summer School — Residential Music Course in Manchester

United Kingdom

Art Camps

Chetham's Summer School is a week-long residential music course at the UK's largest specialist music school, in central Manchester. Young musicians aged 11–17 join orchestral, piano, singing or jazz courses, taught by professional tutors, with final performances at The Stoller Hall.

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Age

11–17 * yrs

Language

English

Program type

Art Camps

Accommodation

Campus

About

About the Course

The Summer School combines four parallel courses: the Orchestral Course, the Piano Course, the Singing and Performance Course (ages 14–17) and the Jazz and Improvisation Course. Each day is action-packed with workshops, ensemble playing, musicianship sessions and personalised guidance from professional music tutors, leading to final performances at The Stoller Hall, the camp's professional concert venue. Applicants should be playing their instrument at ABRSM Grade 4 level or above; no auditions are required.

What’s Included

The residential fee of £1,300 (including VAT) covers all tutoring, lessons and masterclasses, all social activities, on-site accommodation from Monday afternoon check-in to Sunday afternoon check-out, three meals a day, and participation in the final concerts with two tickets for the family. A non-residential option is available at £1,200 including lunch and dinner. Payment can be made upfront or by instalments, and discounts are available for siblings attending together.

Accommodation

Residential participants stay in the school's purpose-built boarding facilities in central Manchester, supervised by the school's pastoral team, with evening activities, games and shared experiences after the music stops each day. Room allocation details are confirmed at booking.

Meal Plan

Three meals a day — breakfast, lunch and dinner — are included for residential students. Non-residential students receive lunch and dinner, with breakfast available for £5 per day.

Activities & Excursions

Alongside intensive music-making — orchestral rehearsals, piano masterclasses, singing and performance work, and jazz improvisation — students enjoy social activities, games and evening entertainment organised by the staff team throughout the week.

Facilities

The camp uses the specialist facilities of the UK's largest specialist music school, including practice rooms, rehearsal spaces and The Stoller Hall, a purpose-built professional concert venue where the final concerts take place.

Camp Experience

Students spend a week making music with other young musicians from around the world, guided by professional tutors. The camp is a Duke of Edinburgh Approved Activity Provider, and part of the award can be completed during the week. Instrument hire may be possible for students travelling from overseas, and advice auditions for full-time study at the school are offered during the week.

Language Camp prices

Singing and Performance Course

English flag

For vocalists aged 14–17. Singing, musicianship and performance work in a supportive group, with workshops and a final performance at The Stoller Hall. No auditions are required.

14–17 * yrs
Singing, stagecraft and performance.

Daily singing, musicianship and performance sessions; weekly tuition hours are not published.

Singing, stagecraft and performance.

Included items

  • Accommodation
  • Activities
  • Meals
  • Tuition

Included items

Highlights

  • 24/7 supervisionRound-the-clock supervision ensuring student safety.
  • International studentsMulticultural environment with students worldwide.

Activities

  • Indoor Games

Facilities

  • Cafeteria
  • Residence accommodation

School

Chetham's School of Music

Chetham's School of Music is the UK's largest specialist music school, located in the heart of Manchester next to its professional concert venue, The Stoller Hall. Founded in 1653 as Chetham's Hospital School and a specialist music school since 1969, it is a registered charity educating young musicians aged 8–18. Each summer the school runs Chetham's Summer School, a week-long residential programme for instrumentalists, pianists, singers and jazz musicians aged 11–17, taught by professional music tutors with final performances at The Stoller Hall. The school is a Duke of Edinburgh Approved Activity Provider.

chethamsschoolofmusic.com

Location

Map showing camp locationChetham's School of Music, Long Millgate, Manchester M3 1SB, United Kingdom

More about this camp

Chetham's Summer School runs for one week each August at Chetham's School of Music in central Manchester, welcoming instrumentalists, pianists, singers and jazz musicians aged 11 to 17. The 2026 course takes place from 3 to 9 August, with residential check-in on Monday afternoon and check-out on Sunday afternoon. The programme combines four courses. The Orchestral Course brings string, wind, brass and percussion players together for rehearsals, sectionals and ensemble work. The Piano Course offers masterclasses and personalised guidance from professional piano tutors. The Singing and Performance Course, for vocalists aged 14 to 17, develops singing, musicianship and stagecraft. The Jazz and Improvisation Course focuses on ensemble playing and improvisation. Every course leads to final performances at The Stoller Hall, the school's professional concert venue, with two tickets included for each family. Applicants should play at ABRSM Grade 4 level or above; no auditions are required. The residential fee of £1,300 including VAT covers all tuition, masterclasses and social activities, on-site accommodation in the school's purpose-built boarding facilities, and three meals a day. A non-residential option is available at £1,200. Sibling discounts and instalment payment plans are offered, and the school — a registered charity — can discuss financial assistance with families who need it. Evenings bring games, social activities and shared experiences supervised by the school's pastoral team. The camp is a Duke of Edinburgh Approved Activity Provider, so part of the award can be completed during the week, and instrument hire may be possible for students travelling from overseas. Availability, dates and prices may change quickly — please confirm details directly with the camp provider before making travel arrangements.

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