Would you like to encourage and develop musicality in your child but are already bored of singing the “Incy Wincy Spider” and “Wheels on the Bus” for the hundredth time? Would you like to find classes that encourage musicality and a variety of styles rather than repeating (shouting?) the same nursery rhymes over and over again, as happens in many baby music classes. Here are my favourites:
Colourstrings (Richmond, North London)
The Colourstrings Music School offers music education from the age of eighteen months to eighteen years. The Colourstrings approach is based on the Kodály method, which integrates instrumental tuition with aural training and musicianship. The school’s special strengths are in building up music literacy from the very beginning through kindergarten musicianship, nurturing the innate musicality of each child at every stage, turning concerts into a normal activity and building up childrens’ confidence as performers. Waiting lists are long so it is a good idea to put your child’s name down early!
Music House for Children (Shepherds Bush)
The Music House for Children is a not for profit organisation established in 1994 that runs music education classes and concerts for children and adults in Shepherds Bush. Their under 5s baby and toddler music lessons are an experience in live musical instruments, dancing, joyful singing and moving. Different music styles are introduced with orchestral instruments from visiting musicians. There are “music appreciation” classes for 3 to 4 year olds, followed by group piano and violin classes for children from 4 or 5 year olds. Older children can take individual instrument lessons.
Singalongsongs (Clerkenwell)
This is a great free (donations welcome, of course!) singalong session with a proper band held on Wednesday and Thursday mornings in a Church Hall on Exmouth Market. I have to take my 1 year old into the tube for half an hour to get there but it is absolutely worth it. There is a proper band playing a mix of children’s songs and world music and they make sure the parents and babies participate by singing along, dancing and shaking rattles (you can see my 1 year old enjoying the class pictured above). My baby had a blast there. Another benefit is that the great coffeshop Caravan is only a few steps away from the Church.
Bach to Baby
This is high on my list. This classical concert series was set up by mum and pianist Miaomiao Yu after becoming frustrated at not being able to take her children to the sort of quality classical music concerts that she regularly enjoyed as a professional musician. Concerts run from weekday mornings 10.30 am- 11.30 am, and Friday afternoons 4.00pm – 5:00pm in locations across London (including Notting Hill, Wimbledon, Islington, Hampstead).
Guildhall School of Music Kindergarten programme
This is a very popular and oversubscribed programme open to children of Reception and Year 1 age in preparation for the selective string training programme in higher years. The classes follow the Kodaly method to introduce children to rhythm, notes, movement and listening. Places used to be allocated on a first come first serve basis but have shifted to a lottery system several years ago. Getting lucky in this ballot is probably about as likely as gaining a Reception place in the Bute House ballot, but it’s worth a shot.
You can also try your luck with a similar string training programme at the Royal Academy of Music. The next entry point will be for September 2027 for children born between 1 September 2022 and 31 August 2023. The 2027 application form will be available from late October 2026 with an application deadline of early January 2027. In the first year, classes take place on Saturdays from 9.15–10am. Sessions concentrate on initial musical development, working imaginatively with pulse, rhythm and pitch. It is essential for a parent to accompany each child to these sessions. This pre-instrumental year lays the musical foundations for the tuition on string instruments that follows in subsequent years.