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 as our practice pupils, from young beginners to advanced pupils.
Application period
The application period for practice pupil studies in 2024–2025 is 3.6.–12.8.2024. The results of the application process will be sent to every applicant via email no later than 19 September 2024.
Instrument-specific guidelines
The need for practice pupils varies every year according to the current situation of our pedagogy students. In 2024–2025 we are looking for practice pupils for:
- Classical music: accordion, brass instruments (French horn, trombone, tuba), clarinet, classical singing (Helsinki), classical piano, early music (cello), guitar, organ (Helsinki), percussion, string instruments (violin, viola, cello, double bass)
- Folk music
- Free accompaniment (piano)
- Global music
- Jazz music (ensemble lessons)
- Rhythm music singing
Accordion:
Welcomes both beginners and players who are already further in their studies. Tuition is given both in Finnish and English.
Brass instruments (French horn, trombone and tuba):
For brass instruments (French horn, trombone and tuba) we are looking for practice pupils of various ages and levels – both beginners and players who are already further in their studies. The minimum age is 7 years. 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:
- children of at least 8 years of age whose front teeth have already become permanen. Previous experience is not required, an interest in playing the clarinet is enough AND
- youngsters or adults who are already further in their studies.
Early music (cello):
We are looking for one beginner-level practice pupil in cello.
Folk Music:
Folk music is looking for practice pupils for the fall semester 2024 for different instruments, primarily accordion, and for the spring semester 2025 for different instruments, primarily violin, nyckelharpa and singing. The need is variable, and we welcome applicants who are advanced in their studies, beginners, as well as players of all levels in between. Students of all ages who are interested in folk music and instrument studies are welcome to apply.
Global Music:
Welcomes practice pupils of at least 8 years of age from diverse musical and cultural backgrounds at any level of experience. The instruments offered in 2024–25 are Arabic qanun, Iranian santoor, singing, and global percussion. Tuition is available 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 17 August 2024 on the premises of the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki. We will assist you in selecting your instrument at the beginning of the autumn semester unless you already have a suitable one.
Jazz:
Welcomes advanced pupils, such as music students or professionals of another genre who have experience in playing in an ensemble. In jazz music, the offered tuition alternates yearly: individual lessons starting in the fall semester in odd-numbered years, ensemble lessons starting in the fall semester in even-numbered years. During the academic year 2024–2025, the tuition will be given as ensemble lessons.
Organ:
Welcomes especially pupils that are between the ages of 12 and 30 and already have some kind of a background in piano playing.
Percussion:
We welcome both beginners and more advanced players of different ages as percussion practice pupils. We are also looking for English-speaking pupils for our international students.
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). We are also looking for English-speaking beginner-level pupils for our international students. 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. The applicant is expected to know how to read sheet music and to know some chords. Some applicants will be invited for a brief exam and interview that will be held on 26–27 August 2024 on the premises of Sibelius Academy in Helsinki.
Classical singing
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 applicants will be invited for a brief exam that will be held on 28 August 2024 on the premises of Sibelius Academy in Helsinki.
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 19–20 August 2024 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 26 August 2024 on the premises of Sibelius Academy in Helsinki.
- Viola: Young (approx. 5 to 10 years) selected as practice pupils can borrow a French Sabatier viola and a bow for the semester.
- Double bass: It is possible for the selected practice pupils to borrow or rent an instrument for the academic year.
Application process
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 acting as practice pupils are exempt from the fee.
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 received during a semester is five (5) or less 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, which will be updated if necessary. For the pedagogy students, the objective of the teaching practice is to become versatile professionals, due to which the repertoire of the practice pupils will include music of different styles and genres. The teaching practice allows the Sibelius Academy student to learn, among other things, to plan and evaluate their teaching, develop their pedagogical and interaction-related skills, and teach the technical and artistic aspects related to the repertoire of their own instrument or subject in a versatile way.
The number of lessons depends on the instrument but is usually 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.
The practice pupils will pursue their studies under the teacher trainee and a supervising senior teacher, who oversees the training. We expect the practice pupils to commit to 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.
Practice pupils do not complete level performances automatically. If the 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