Practice pupils
We train instrument and voice teachers, who gain valuable experience by practising their pedagogical skills with their practice pupils.
The practice pupil and the teacher meet weekly on the premises of Sibelius Academy, and the teaching lessons are supervised by a senior teacher. We welcome all kinds of instrumentalists and singers, from young beginners to advanced pupils as our practice pupils.
Application period
NOTE! We are still looking for English-speaking beginner-level piano pupils between 6 to 9 years of age. The practice pupil tuition in question will be given in English, and the lessons are held on Mondays in Helsinki, Sibelius Academy’s R building (Pohjoinen Rautatiekatu 9).
The general application period for the practice pupil studies during the academic year 2023–2024 has ended. The results of the application process will be sent to every applicant via email no later than on 15 September 2023.
The need for practice pupils varies every year according to the current situation of our pedagogy students. In 2023-2024 we are looking for practice pupils for:
- Classical music: accordion, brass instruments (French horn, tuba, trombone), composition, early music (recorder, traverso), harp, string instruments (violin, viola, cello, double bass), kantele, guitar, clarinet, classical singing, piano (classical), organ, free accompaniment (piano)
- rhythm music singing, folk music, Global Music, jazz music (individual lessons)
Instrument-specific guidelines
Accordion:
Welcomes pupils who are beginners or already played for a couple of years. Tuition is given both in Finnish and English.
Brass instruments (French horn, trombone and tuba):
Welcomes players from 7 years and up, also adults – both beginners and players who are already further in their studies. We are also looking for English-speaking pupils for our international students.
Clarinet:
The pedagogical studies of our clarinet students are organized in co-operation with the Helsinki Conservatory. We are looking for:
- at least 8-year-old children whose front teeth have already become permanent and who are interested in playing the clarinet. No previous experience is required AND
- youngsters or adults who are already further in their studies.
Composition:
A few practice pupil places for composition may be available for the spring semester 2024. Please use the application form to indicate your interest! Information on the pupil places will be confirmed during the fall of 2023. Tuition is given in Finnish and/or English.
Early music (recorder, traverso):
We are looking for a beginner-level practice pupil for the recorder and for traverso a practice pupil who already has a previous background in playing the instrument.
Folk Music:
Folk music is looking for practice pupils for the fall semester 2023, especially for violin, and for the spring semester 2024 for violin and harmonium. The need is variable, and we welcome applicants who are advanced in their studies, beginners, as well as players of all levels in between. The applicant must be at least 8 years old.
Note! Tuition is given either in autumn 2023 or spring semester 2024, depending on the course.
Global Music:
Welcomes practice pupils from diverse musical and cultural backgrounds at any level of experience. The minimum age is 8 and the instruments offered in 2023-24 are Arabic qanun, Iranian santoor, singing, and global percussion. Lessons can be taught in English, Arabic, Persian and Finnish.
Guitar:
We welcome both beginners and more advanced players of different ages as guitar practice pupils. Based on the applications, some of the applicants will be invited to a brief interview, which will take place on 15 August 2023 on the premises of the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki. We guide you in selecting your instrument at the beginning of the autumn season, unless there is already a suitable one.
Harp:
Welcomes players of different ages and levels – beginners and pupils who are already further in their studies. It is preferred to have an own instrument, but it is also possible to rent an instrument from private parties. Based on the applications, some of the applicants will be invited to a small interview, which will take place in August on the premises of the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki.
Jazz:
Welcomes also advanced pupils, such as music students or professionals of another genre. During the academic year 2023-2024, the tuition will be given as individual lessons.
Kantele:
We are looking for two beginners, preferably between the ages of 7 and 9. However, older beginners will be noticed during the application process as well. It is possible for the practice pupil to borrow an instrument as well as a table for the instrument from the Sibelius Academy. In addition, we are looking for one beginner who is interested in playing the Latvian kokle.
Organ (Helsinki):
Welcomes especially pupils that are between the ages of 12 and 30 and already have some kind of a background in piano playing.
Piano, classical:
We are looking for beginners between the ages of 5 and 8 as well as more advanced players who have completed at least the advanced level studies in a music institute (formerly MOT level). Based on the applications, some applicants will be invited for a brief exam and interview that will be held at the beginning of September on the premises of Sibelius Academy in Helsinki.
Piano, free accompaniment:
Welcomes players of different levels of experience – those who have just started their studies and those who are already further in their studies. An applicant is expected to know how to read sheet music and to know some chords. Based on the applications, some applicants will be invited for a brief exam and interview that will be held on 22 August 2023 on the premises of Sibelius Academy in Helsinki.
Classical singing (Helsinki and Kuopio):
Welcomes pupils that are at least 18 years old. We hope the applicants have already studied music and know how to read sheet music. Based on the applications, some of the Helsinki applicants will be invited for a brief exam that will be held on 24 August 2023 on the premises of Sibelius Academy in Helsinki. We will give you more information on the exams held in Kuopio later.
Rhythm music singing (pop/jazz singing):
Welcomes pupils between the ages of 12 and 30. Based on the applications, some applicants will be invited for a brief exam that will be held on 21-23 August 2023 on the premises of Sibelius Academy in Helsinki.
Strings (violin, viola, cello and double bass):
Welcomes players of all ages – both beginners and players who are already further in their studies. We are also looking for English-speaking pupils for our international students.
- Violin: Based on the applications, some applicants will be invited for a brief interview and exam that will be held on 21 August 2023 on the premises of Sibelius Academy in Helsinki.
Application process
We will start processing the application forms right after the application period has ended in August. We will contact all applicants after the selection process via email. Please note that we can only accept a limited number of applicants as practice pupils and our needs vary every year based on our pedagogy student situation.
Service fees
The service fee for a practice pupil is EUR 170 per semester (EUR 340 per year). If there are two practice pupils from one family, for the other child the fee is EUR 130 per semester. University of the Arts Helsinki’s students and staff are exempt from the fee, if the student or staff member acts as a practice pupil.
Invoices are sent by e-mail during the fall semester in October-November and during the spring semester in March. The invoice of a minor will be sent to their guardian.
NOTE! The number of practice lessons does not affect the amount of the service fee for the fee in question is not a tuition fee. However, if the number of lessons is or subceeds five (5) during a semester for reasons not dependent on the practice pupil, a part of the fee will be compensated.
Goal-oriented learning
All practice pupils will receive a study plan in accordance with their individual goals. The plan will be updated if necessary. For the pedagogy students, the objective of the teaching practice is to become versatile professionals. The repertoires of the practice pupils will include music of different styles and genres; it is not sensible for a practising teacher to, for example, hone their pupil’s skills for a few pieces to be performed in a competition.
The number of lessons depends on the instrument but is on average 14 lessons per both autumn and spring semester. The duration of one lesson is up to 45 minutes. For young children, the usual duration of one lesson is 30 minutes.
Through the teacher training period, Sibelius Academy teacher trainees learn to plan and evaluate their teaching and to develop their pedagogical and interactive skills. They will also become experts in the technicalities and artistic features of their instruments’ repertoires or of their main subject.
The practice pupils will pursue their studies under the teacher trainee and a supervising senior teacher, who is in charge of the training. We expect the practice pupils to undertake the lessons for both the autumn and the spring term and to do their weekly homework meticulously. Practice pupils will perform in student matinees during the terms. They will also take group lessons as necessary.
Level performances
Practice pupils do not complete level performances automatically. If need arises, performance examinations may be organized with an extra cost. You can request to receive a certificate for your studies as a practice pupil.
Contact
siba.harjoitusoppilaat@uniarts.fi