GENERAL INFORMATION
News for the 2024 Course
For 2024 we are thrilled to announce that our course will again take place at The Yehudi Menuhin School, Surrey, near London, located in it’s own beautiful countryside campus and only 30 minutes from Heathrow and Gatwick airports. The nearest train station is 5 minutes from the school, with a direct link to Central London in 45 minutes.
Founded by legendary violinist Yehudi Menuhin in 1963, who is buried here, the school has a magnificent 300-seater Menuhin Concert Hall, opened by Rostropovich in 2006 and home to a fantastic Fazioli grand piano. Our final Gala Concert on July 28th will take place here.
The school is set in 15 acres of parkland and will be exclusively for our course, with it’s own indoor swimming pool, tennis courts, and very recently a state-of-the-art teaching/practise music studio building.
YOGA
For our 2024 summer course we are excited to be able to offer complimentary Yoga classes, run by a professional Yoga teacher. We believe that care of physical and mental well-being is such an important part of a young musician’s development, and we hope that these optional classes will enhance our students’ musical progress and enjoyment during the course. For more information please visit our Yoga/Well-Being page.
Our Day Off, 20th July
Our day-off trip on 20th July will be a visit to the historic town of Windsor, and it’s world-famous castle, home to British kings and queens for over 1,000 years and today one of the official residences of His Majesty The King.
The stunning 13-acre site is the largest and oldest occupied, working castle in the world. The reigning monarch is in residence if the flag flying from the Round Tower is the Royal Standard.
Visitors can immerse themselves in the palace's history through the special exhibitions, walk through the re-imagined childhood rooms of Queen Victoria, take a tour around the King and Queen's State Apartments, or explore the world-renowned gardens.
The castle hosts formal state events, ceremonial occasions and visits from foreign dignitaries and overseas Heads of State. Windsor castle has its own changing of the guard which has been performed since 1660.
St George’s Chapel is the home of the Order of the Garter, an annual event founded by Edward III in 1348.
Another must-see attraction is the castle's Chapel, St. George's Chapel, which is renowned for its stunning Gothic architecture. This chapel has been the site of many royal weddings and funerals, including the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in 2018. Visitors can marvel at the intricate stonework, beautiful stained-glass windows, and ornate carvings in this historic chapel.
ACCOMMODATION
Our students will be accommodated in comfortable and modern houses, set in the grounds of the school. Bedrooms are for 1-4 people, with shared toilet and shower facilities, and most bedrooms also have a piano.
Houses are equipped with laundry facilities, small kitchens, lounges, TV, WiFi, pool table, etc.
The quiet location of our accommodations gives a perfect opportunity to relax in between lessons and rehearsals and a chance to socialise with other students on the course.
If you would like to accompany your child on the course, you can stay in one of the many fine bed and breakfasts or hotels in the nearby villages of Cobham and Stoke d’Abernon.
Please ask if you need guidance.
The boarding houses will be supervised by experienced DBS checked assistants who will look after our students.
RECREATION TIME
Aside from the busy music schedule, there are a wide range of activities to take part in during your free time, including swimming pool, tennis courts, football pitch and wonderful private grounds to explore, as well as the comfortable resting rooms to chill out in the boarding houses.
DINING
The entire course gathers three times a day in the dining hall or outside, weather permitting! We have excellent chefs and there is a choice of hot/cold meals and a salad bar, served buffet style. There are also vegetarian options available. Specific dietary requirements can also be accommodated.
INSURANCE
Encore Course fees do not include medical, travel or musical instrument insurance and we strongly recommend our students to purchase suitable insurances that cover them during their trip.
TIMETABLE
You will be given your individual timetable with clear timing of all your lessons. The lessons will start on the morning of Tuesday, 16th July 2024.
ARRIVAL
VIA PLANE
We recommend via London Heathrow or Gatwick Airports, both only 30 minutes by taxi/bus.
After arrival to Heathrow or Gatwick airport, a member of Encore Course staff can meet you at the arrival point in the airport and accompany you to the Menuhin School, where an assistant will give you a tour of the premises and music facilities, show you to your accommodation and help you to settle in.
VIA TRAIN
The nearest train station is Cobham, which is 5 minutes by taxi to the school and 45 minutes from Central London.
VIA CAR
The Yehudi Menuhin School
Cobham Road
Stoke d'Abernon
Surrey
KT11 3QQ
VISA INFORMATION
IMPORTANT NOTE – NON-EU STUDENTS WILL NEED A VISA IN ORDER TO STUDY IN ENGLAND
Most students who do not hold a valid EU passport will require a visa to enter the UK.
For most students the Child Visitor Visa and Student Visitor Visa is the best option (see notes below). Please note, however, that you should always check the immigration requirements for your country and your passport before departing for the UK.
After successful acceptance on the Encore Music Course and having received the required deposit from you, we will send an Official Invitation for applying for your visa. Please clarify with your embassy what other documents you might need for a successful application.
You can check the latest visa details and requirements at: www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas-immigration/studying/
Please also check with your embassy if you need an original letter invitation or if a copy would suffice. If your embassy requires an original letter invitation, we will send you this by post at current postage costs
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Child Visitor Visa (if you are under 18)
The child visitor category is for children aged under 18 years old who want to come to the UK for up to 6 months (or up to 12 months if they are accompanying an academic visitor). This includes children who want to study in the UK for up to 6 months.
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Student Visitor Visa (if you are over 18)
This is only for people coming to study for less than 6 months. Technically you are coming to the UK as a special visitor. You should carry your Encore acceptance letter with you in your hand luggage when you travel to the UK. There are also other documents that you will need to carry in your hand luggage when you travel, to show the immigration official when you arrive in the UK (details at the link below). The student visitor visa doesn’t allow you to do any work while here (paid or unpaid) and you can’t extend your stay.
CHILD PROTECTION POLICY
ENCORE MUSIC PROJECTS acknowledges the duty of care to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and is committed to ensuring safeguarding practice reflects statutory responsibilities, government guidance and complies with best practice and requirements.
The policy recognizes that the welfare and interests of children are paramount in all circumstances. It aims to ensure that regardless of age, gender, religion or beliefs, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation or socioeconomic background, all children:
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have a positive and enjoyable experience of music at ENCORE MUSIC PROJECTS INTERNATIONAL SUMMER SCHOOL in a safe and child centered environment.
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are protected from abuse whilst participating in musical and non-musical activities.
ENCORE MUSIC PROJECTS acknowledges that some children, including disabled children and young people or those from ethnic minority communities, can be particularly vulnerable to abuse and we accept the responsibility to take reasonable and appropriate steps to ensure their welfare.
As part of our safeguarding policy ENCORE MUSIC PROJECTS will:
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promote and prioritize the safety and well-being of children and young people.
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ensure everyone understands their roles and responsibilities in respect of safeguarding and is provided with appropriate learning opportunities to recognize, identify and respond to signs of abuse, neglect and other safeguarding concerns relating to children and young people.
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ensure appropriate action is taken in the event of incidents/concerns of abuse and support provided to the individual/s who raise or disclose the concern.
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ensure that confidential, detailed and accurate records of all safeguarding concerns are maintained and securely stored.
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prevent the employment/deployment of unsuitable individuals.
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ensure robust safeguarding arrangements and procedures are in operation.
The policy and procedures will be widely promoted and are mandatory for everyone involved in ENCORE MUSIC PROJECTS INTERNATIONAL SUMMER SCHOOL.
Failure to comply with the policy and procedures will be addressed without delay and may ultimately result in dismissal/exclusion from the course.
