Centre For Young Musicians

The Centre for Young Musicians offers school-aged children high-quality, sequential tuition in instrumental performance, led by our performance staff at the Elder Conservatorium of Music.

OMA student learning piano

In addition to weekly tuition on their instruments, students also participate in regular ensemble sessions, masterclasses, workshops and performances throughout the year. At each stage of their development students are offered opportunities that extend and inspire, with talent identified and fostered at an early age.

Alongside a focus on developing individual technical and performance skills there is an emphasis on developing each student into a confident, well rounded musician, within a positive musical peer group. Core teaching takes place at the Elder Conservatorium’s historical North Terrace buildings on Saturdays during school terms. 

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  • Schedule

    Utilising the spaces of the Elder Conservatorium, the Open Music Academy provides weekly one-to-one lessons each school term. These take place on Saturdays and Sundays at the University of Adelaide's North Terrace Campus. In 2023 OMA is teaching: Bassoon, Cello, Clarinet, Double Bass, Drums, Flute, Classical Guitar, Oboe, Percussion, Piano, Saxophone, Trombone, Trumpet, Tuba, Viola, Violin and Voice.

     
    Term Dates Application Closing Dates Payment Due
    Term 4 Monday 16 October - Sunday 17 December Friday 15 September Friday 15 September

     End of year concert dates: Saturday 25 November, Saturday 9 December, Friday 15 December

    Lesson duration: Beginner: 30 minutes | Intermediate: 45 minutes | Advanced: 60 minutes

  • Fees
    Instrumental / voice lessons
      Fee per term - 9 weekly lessons
    Beginner (30 minute lessons) $482
    Intermediate (45 minute lessons) $675
    Advanced (60 minute lessons) $867

    Please keep in mind when enrolling in the program that you are committing to 9 lessons.

    Our program fees cover one-to-one tuition costs; textbooks or music books required for the program are not included and will need to be purchased separately.

    OMA Conditions of Enrolment

    Application for Enrolment

    OMA Medical Form

    Our Bursary Program offers financial assistance to those experiencing financial hardship.

    Application for Bursary

  • Ensembles

    Music ensembles offer valuable benefits for learning music. They foster collaboration, teamwork, and communication skills as students work together to create harmonious performances. Through ensemble participation, musicians develop technical skills, such as sight-reading and musical phrasing, listening and reacting, leading and following. Ensembles create a sense of belonging and foster social connections, promoting emotional well-being. Overall, music ensembles provide a holistic learning environment that nurtures musical growth and a lifelong passion for music.

    OMA ensembles are open to primary and secondary students, you don’t need to be a current one-to-one student to attend.

    Percussion Ensemble: drum and percussion

    Guitar Groups: guitar (working as duo and trios)

    String Ensemble: cello, double bass, viola & violin

    Wind Ensemble: trumpets, trombones, flutes, oboes, clarinets, saxophones, bassoons

    Ensemble Schedule

    Term 3

    String Thursdays from 4:30pm, 31 Aug – 28 Sep
    Percussion Saturday 9:30-10:30am, 26 Aug – 23 Sep
    Wind & Brass Saturdays 2-3pm, 26 Aug – 23 Sep
    Guitar Groups Sundays 1-2pm, 27 Aug – 24 Sep

     

    Term 4

    String Thursdays from 4:30pm, 26 Oct – 7 Dec*
    Percussion Saturday 9:30-10:30am, 28 Oct – 25 Nov
    Wind & Brass Saturdays 2-3pm, 21 Oct – 25 Nov**
    Guitar Groups Sundays 1-2pm, 29 Oct – 26 Nov

    * There will be no String Ensemble 9 & 23 Nov
    ** There will be no Wind & Brass Ensemble 28 Oct

    Secure your spot

  • Scholarship Program

    Regional Scholarship and Bursaries

    The regional scholarships and bursaries program will assist students and teachers from across South Australia to access the world class resources of the Elder Conservatorium of Music and opportunity to join their city counterparts for workshops, ensemble experiences and performances throughout the year.

    Scholarship are available for South Australian students who live in regional or remote areas, of all levels, to travel to Adelaide for 1:1 lessons at the Open Music Academy at the Elder Conservatorium of Music.

    Applicants are eligible for:

    • 1:1 lesson tuition fee support (lessons are face to face in Adelaide*). Please note full tuition fees are payable prior to the term’s commencement, with awarded scholarships being paid at the end of the term.
    • Advanced students will also be eligible for our Local Stars program. To be considered for a place in the Local Stars program, students must be at AMEB Grade Level 5 or equivalent, provide a teacher recommendation and a short video of a performance – 5 minutes or less.
    • The maintenance and purchase of instruments

    *Tuition can be provided as hybrid, face to face/online modes for students if distance is a barrier to travelling to Adelaide.

    Bursaries are available for:

    • Travel support
    • The maintenance and purchase of instruments
    • To assist teachers with mentoring and professional development opportunities

    This scholarships program is supported by the Department for Education.

    Application for Regional Scholarship and Bursaries

    Instrument Specific Scholarships

    These scholarships are merit based and will be advertised at the beginning of each year.

    Thank you to our generous donors for providing these scholarships.

    To find out more please contact us.