Musical opportunity will be opened up to children and families in Hendon this month as The North London Conservatoire expands into the area.

Formally known as The North London Colourstrings Centre, it currently runs classes in Muswell Hill, Highgate, Islington and Stoke Newington.

The new centre will be based in the Music Department at Middlesex University, whose director of music Peter Fribbins is actively involved in Colourstrings as a parent.

He is excited about the possibilities that this will bring:  “The university is pleased to support the project using the famous and innovative Colourstrings technique which aims to encourage children to learn in a more ‘child focussed’ way, to enjoy the learning experience, and to learn holistically.

“This collaboration is an example of the University seeking to widen its reach and to increase access to facilities for all of the local community, not just its undergraduate students.”

Colourstrings is a fully-integrated approach based on the traditional Hungarian Kodály Method. Children learn all the basics of music through a variety of activities, including songs, rhymes, games, listening, movement to music, percussion and dancing. 

The weekly Kindergarten classes are in small age-specific groups for babies from six months to children of six years and instrumental tuition is usually offered between five and seven years for violin, viola, cello, bass, guitar or piano.

By the time the children move on from Kindergarten they are already achieving levels of musicality at least equivalent to Key Stage Two for 11 year olds. Once learning an instrument, children actively participate in a rounded instrumental programme that includes individual lessons, musicianship and ensemble (choir or orchestra), with numerous performance opportunities.

The new Saturday Centre will initially offer Kindergarten classes for children aged 17 months to five years but will expand to include babies from six months and five and six-year-olds in September 2017.

To register your child contact Yvonne at the main North London Conservatoire office on 020 8444 9435, admin@nlcolourstrings.co.uk