FAQ’s

Frequently asked questions


Applications will receive a response within 2 weeks of applying. Once the places are filled, the application process will close.

Students must be between the ages of 10 and 18 at the time of the course. 18 year olds must still be in school (e.g. finishing their final year summer 2025).

Applicants should be from grade 6 up to and beyond Diploma level. Participants will be grouped according to ability on the course so that everyone is challenged but not overwhelmed.

Participants should be fluent in English.

Unfortunately VIMA cannot offer financial assistance for students to attend this course.
There are however bursary and scholarship funds across the globe ready to help students fund music courses. We suggest you look for local awarding bodies in your area which might be able to help you.

Viola students of ESTA UK members are eligible to apply for the Tertis Fund. The ESTA Tertis Viola Fund (ETVF) – ESTA

Unfortunately not, unless VIMA has to cancel the course in which case your course fee will be refunded. If you have questions regarding visa applications please contact our office at info@vima.org.uk

You are welcome to invite any friends or family to the end of course concert. Please inform the course staff of names of guests who will be coming to the concert on arrival at the course or by email before the start of the course. 

Drop off for the course is at 9-10am on August 3rd with musical activities beginning at 10am.

The course ends after the final concert (around 6pm) on the afternoon of August 9th.

Yes you will receive a digital recording of the concert soon after the end of the course.

Yes, at the end of course you will receive a detailed written report from our faculty including any advice the faculty feel is appropriate.

Students attending the course will be informed of some of the repertoire they will be working on during the course a month beforehand. The rest of the repertoire will be introduced during the course which they will work on with our tutors. Full support will be provided for any students struggling with repertoire and our staff reserve the right to change repertoire and ensemble groups as necessary to ensure that students are challenged but not overwhelmed by the repertoire they’re working on.

Yes, please do inform our office if you would like to work on a particular chamber piece and although we can’t guarantee any particular work is included, we will endeavour to add it to the course.

Although we will endeavour to accommodate any room sharing requests, please understand that we cannot guarantee a particular room allocation. The boarding houses have a mixture of dormitories, triple, double and single rooms. Please contact our office with any requests.

Please notify us of any dietary requirements on the form you will be sent once you have accepted your place. Food allergies will be catered for and a selection of food will be available at every meal.

All medication must be handed to our matron upon arrival at the course (including paracetamol). You will be required to fill in a medical form after accepting your place on the course. Please give all information on this form so that we can ensure your child is properly cared for in the case of a medical emergency.

If your child needs to carry their medication with them at all times, please speak to the matron on arrival and indicate this on the form as well.

The course for 2025 is for orchestral string instruments (violin, viola, cello and double bass). We will be introducing a vocal course as well this year – keep an eye on our mailing list for more information! If you wish to be kept informed of future Virtuoso course information please join our mailing list.

We have several music shops we can put you in touch with to hire instruments if you cannot bring your own to the course. Please email info@vima.org.uk to enquire further.

All students on the course can take part in the solo competition which occurs during the course. Students are asked to bring with them a piece to perform which they have prepared in advance of the course.

An accompanist is provided if needed, however there will only be time for a 10 minute rehearsal beforehand so we strongly suggest you play unaccompanied if you have not played with a piano before. No marks will be deducted for playing unaccompanied.

Their chosen piece should be up to 10 mins in length but if they wish to play a longer piece, the adjudicator may need to stop them before the end (this will not negatively impact their adjudication).

All students will have the opportunity to take part in our course competition which will be adjudicated by our leading professors from the world of classical music… to be announced soon!

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