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Junior Academy of Music

Term Dates 23-24
JAM 1

‌JAM 1 programme

JAM 1 is for children aged 4 to 7, and consists of a Music and Movement class and a Children's Choir. Music and Movement is designed to introduce young children to various ways of performing and listening to music.

The sessions involve lots of singing and rhythmic games, playing various tuned and untuned percussion instruments - all of which will, within time, improve a child’s intonation, sense of rhythm and pulse. It is a fun activity during which they learn basic musical elements.

The Children's Choir will promote further their musicianship and team-working skills. The JAM 1 programme is also of benefit for children who wish to start playing an instrument when they are more experienced. 

JAM Term Dates 2023-24 

JAM 2

JAM 2JAM 2 programme

JAM 2 is for 5 to 8 year olds, and involves a Musicianship class, Children's Choir and optional beginner instrumental tuition.

JAM 2 is suited to those children who have completed the JAM 1 programme, or possibly other specialised music activities. It includes singing and rhythmic games, playing glockenspiel and other tuned/unturned percussion instruments which help prepare children for more advanced studies. 

The focus of the Musicianship class is to develop music literacy: to learn how to sing, write, create, read and play music. Through fun activities, children extend their musical skills and refine their listening and performing abilities. This equips them for learning how to play an instrument.

Children's choir offers more opportunities to develop, improve and enjoy singing. Instrumental tuition is optional and will be introduced through taster sessions in term 1 and developed during the second and third terms of each year.

JAM Term Dates 2023-24 

JAM 3

JAM 3 for Brass, Guitar, Flute, Piano, Strings, Singing and Musicianship

JAM 3 is for children aged 8-18. It offers individual and group instrumental tuition on various brass instruments including cornet, horn, baritone, euphonium, trombone and tuba, as well as other instruments such as guitar, flute, piano, strings and singing. Pupils are encouraged to take part in either an ensemble, junior or senior brass band, choir or other singing groups.

All JAM 3 pupils also attend Musicianship classes which combine music theory and aural skills. They are of paramount importance to pupils, as they provide the opportunity to gain, train and develop essential musical skills which complement and enhance further their instrument playing. Musicianship advances players aural abilities, trains sight-reading, and embeds knowledge of music theory and general understanding of music.

JAM Term Dates 2023-24

JAM 4

JAM 4 is a part of the Junior Academy of Music programme at Queen’s University Belfast. A weekly programme designed for Secondary school children ages 12 – 17 who are interested in Creative Music Technology.

At JAM 4, we use industry standard music-making software such as Ableton Live and Audiotool. These softwares are used for solo projects, as well as group performance opportunities. JAM 4 takes place at the world-leading Sonic Arts Research Centre (SARC). Students are given the opportunity to perform in our Sonic Lab concert space for the end of year showcase.

JAM 4 FRIDAYS | 17:30 – 19:00 | 3rd Floor Computer Lab

Ages 12 – 17

This programme is designed for students who are new to JAM 4. We offer a complete introduction to digital music-making with music & audio demonstrations, experiments, and creative project.

JAM 4+ FRIDAYS | 17:30 – 19:00 | Overflow Lab

Ages 12 – 17

This programme is designed for previous JAM 4 students. We will build upon your previous years’ experience and begin to work on more advanced and challenging projects. These consist of mixing techniques, sound design, composing, game audio and live performance using Ableton Live.

JAM Term Dates 2023-24

Other Links:

JAM 4 Flyer   JAM 4 on Soundcloud   JAM 4 on Facebook    JAM 4 on Instagram

 

BIOPHONIA 

Biophonia is an immersive audiovisual experience exploring the impact of climate change on the environment through sound. This project was led by researchers and JAM 4 tutors at the Sonic Arts Research Centre (SARC), Queen’s University Belfast in collaboration with NI Science Festival 2021

Our JAM 4 tutors worked with children and teenagers across a series of workshops. Through hands-on engagement at SARC, the young participants learnt about the science of sound recording and produced their own field recordings, seeking to document how climate change has impacted our environment, through sound. The next phase of workshops saw the participants learn audio editing and processing techniques to create audio artefacts that would be put together into an immersive audiovisual performance. 

Apply

The online application process for JAM 1,2,3 programmes is now open for 2023-24. 

JAM 1 

https://forms.office.com/e/S30LGz4Ru8 

JAM 2 

https://forms.office.com/e/wq0jDX9Mes 

JAM 3 

https://forms.office.com/e/4kYY1wb7p7 

JAM 4 

https://forms.office.com/e/EpX0Qu786H 

Bursaries

A limited number of JAM Access Bursaries towards tuition fees are available for those families in receipt of free school meals. Please contact Dr Juliana Licinic van Walstijn (j.licinic@qub.ac.uk) to ask for a JAM Access Bursary form if you wish to apply.

For all enquiries please contact jam@qub.ac.uk

 

JAM Mission Statement

 

To provide primary and secondary school children with an opportunity to music education, help them grow in confidence and self-belief, and instil a lifelong enjoyment of music   

To engage with our community and make a significant contribution to our society through high-quality music education 

To demonstrate the importance of music and the positive effect it has on our lives and well-being 

Contact us

Dr Juliana Licinic van Walstijn, Junior Academy of Music Co-ordinator

jam@qub.ac.uk or phone 02890 975013