Frequently Asked Questions

  • Why choose M4P

    A whole week of music making for amateur musicians Whether your musical taste is for classical, jazz, popular, or folk, performing, composing or conducting, M4P has a music course to suit you. We offer a whole week of music making for amateur musicians led by our expert tutors in a friendly, supportive residential setting of Giggleswick School in the Yorkshire dales.
    The School runs from Saturday Evening to the following Saturday morning.

    Click here to see this year's courses.

  • What is the average age of the students

    The average age of most students is 60+. We regularly welcome students from their teens to their nineties. Families are very welcome.

  • How much does it cost

    There is a range of fee scales
    Bursaries are also available

    Price List 2025 click here

  • Am I good enough

    The answer is, probably, yes! There is something for every level. We don't expect our students to audition and indeed pride ourselves on bringing the very best out of our students whatever their level of achievement. Although we do not stipulate a "lowest" standard, we have found that the general standard of the school is improving each year as many students return. We usually specify an approximate ability range, where appropriate, which will help you choose your course, but once happy with that – and we will gladly offer advice - nobody need feel that they are competing with anyone except themselves. Some courses may have a limit on numbers. This is to ensure that we are able to provide a quality experience for every student. Where a course is particularly demanding we say so, and our carefully selected tutors are expert at giving equal attention and respect to everyone. So don't be shy!

  • Do you offer individual tuition

    We don't provide individual tuition. All our sessions are group sessions.

  • Do you cater for special diets

    Yes, by arrangement. Please indicate your requirements on your application form. All meals are taken in the school refectory.

  • Is there a quiet space where I can practice when I am not in class?

    The student house lounges are mostly free during the day if you wish to practice individually or with a small group.
    Piano rehearsal rooms are also available to book in the Music Block.

  • What's the accommodation like

    Accommodation is provided in student houses, in single, twin or family rooms, and is very basic and similar to Youth Hostel accommodation. En-suite facilities are not provided, but all rooms have access to shower/bath and toilet facilities. Bed linen is supplied but please bring your own towels. If you like a soft bed please bring a mattress topper. If you require accommodation with en-suite facilities, The Harts Head Hotel is ten minutes walk from the school. Other accommodation is available locally in Settle ten minutes drive from the school. Camping and caravan facilities are also available locally. For further details contact Settle Tourist Information Centre Tel. (01729) 825192 or Visit Yorkshire Website

  • Is there a bar on-site

    Yes, our bar is provided by the local pub and is open between 7pm and 11pm every evening.

  • Can I bring a friend/partner

    While some people prefer to come to M4P summer school on their own, we are happy to host non participating partners. They may wish to come to evening concerts and dances which take place throughout the week and all day Friday.
    Please note that for security reasons no other individuals are permitted on-site unless with the express permission of the Organiser.

  • Is the site accessible to those with restricted mobility / wheelchair users?

    The site is hilly and as accommodation and classroom blocks are some distance apart, it is not ideal for those with mobility difficulties. Some classes take place in upstairs rooms and unfortunately there are no lifts. Please contact us on 0800 023 5631 to discuss any accessibility issues.

  • Car Charging

    There is no facility to charge your car on-site.
    Charging Points: 3 x fast EV Charging Bays are available in the Ashfield Car Park BD24 9AA.

  • VAT or no VAT

    As you may be aware new legislation obliges private schools to charge VAT on their fees. As we are a registered educational charity and a residential school for students not in full time education, we have been advised that M4P have retained our Exempt status so VAT is not chargeable on these fees.

    However, fees and charges for those attending not as students but as non participants now include VAT which is charged by Giggleswick School.

Useful Information

Early Bird Discount

Early Bird discount is £25 off the price as long as both your application and Deposit of £70 reaches us before 31st March 2025

Child Discount

Is a Discount of £50.00 for any child, aged under 18 on 13th August 2025, successful in applying to come as a Student to the School. Please note that we require that an adult is also attending the School who is either the child's parent or acting "in loco parentis". please see the Policies. The office will contact those making an application for a child.

Electric Vehicle Charging

Electric vehicle charging will NOT be available at Summer School however Charging Points: 3 x fast EV Charging Bays are available in the Ashfield Car Park BD24 9AA.

Methods of Payment

You can pay by internet bank transfer;
Our Bank: The Co-operative Bank plc
Account Name: Music for People (Summer School of Music)
Account Number: 65272019
Sort Code: 08-92-99
Payment Reference: Your Name – to help us recognise who has sent the payment
Payment from Abroad
If you are paying from abroad, you may wish to make a Direct Payment into the M4P account. The Numbers you would require are:
IBAN: GB74CPBK08929965272019
Swift / BIC Code: CPBKGB22
Please note that if you pay this way, the exchange rate may change and we may not receive the correct amount. In this case we shall contact you to let you know. Also, you will probably be charged by your bank for using this service.
We still accept cheques.

Choosing your Courses

First and foremost, ensure that none of the sessions of your chosen courses clash. Several courses run over more than one session, and the sessions do not always follow immediately after each other. Check the crosses on the timetable carefully. We realise that some courses will clash, but this is the inevitable consequence of offering such a wide range of subjects. You need to decide whether you want to try something completely new, or whether you wish to stick with the familiar. You also need to think about whether you wish to concentrate on one area, or have as much variety as possible. Whatever you decide, you must commit to the courses as timetabled, and attend ALL session.
Consider your own personal stamina. It could be possible to enrol for courses that fill every session, but you might find yourself exhausted by the middle of the week! There is entertainment of one sort or another every evening, and you could end up having a lot of late nights on top of a heavy schedule during the day.
We encourage students to organise their own ad hoc groups, to ensure that they can make the sort of music they want to, even if it isn’t available on the timetable. In the past such groups have included madrigal singing, recorder groups and doo-wap singing. If you think you might be interested in setting up a group of this type, either put a note on the M4P facebook page, or let us have details to put in Summer School News, or put up a notice once you are at the school.