Musical excellence in the South West

South West Music School is part of a national network of Centres of Advanced Training supported by the Department for Children, Schools & Families Music and Dance Scheme for exceptionally talented young musicians aged between 8 and 18.

APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN. To download an application form click here or visit the apply page for more information.

Read a Welcome from our Director.

Our programme is inclusive, open to all regardless of musical or personal background. South West Music School is also musically inclusive - designed to identify and nurture exceptional instrumental and vocal talent from all areas of music. The only restriction to our programme is the need to possess very high levels of musicianship and commitment.

South West Music School provides a package of specialist educational support consisting of mentoring, individual tuition and development and residential projects, plus the opportunity to be involved in programmes and projects delivered by the partnership.

We began in 2007/08 with 15 students; this has now risen to our full quota of 45. To combat the large number of applications we have each year, the Feeder Scheme has also been created to support an additional 30 students onto the programme. For more information please visit our programme page.

South West Music School has been developed and is overseen by a unique partnership comprising of Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Dartington Hall Trust, Federation of Music Services, South West, Wells Cathedral School and Wiltshire Music Centre.

Due to the geographical nature of the South West we are not building based but are a 'virtual' school working with young people on an individual basis in their local area.