Musical Instrument Crafts - Woodwind Instrument Making and Repair (Foundation)

This specialist making and repair course introduces a variety of skills in the craft of making and repairing woodwind instruments. The course equips students with the knowledge and practical skills that will enable them to progress to level 3 and ultimately onto a career in instrument making and repair.

This level 2 course introduces repair skills from the replacement of pads to complete overhauls. Students carry out a basic overhaul on a clarinet, flute, oboe and saxophone. They also gain skills in fault-finding in order to assess and repair woodwind instruments. Students learn to turn wood and metal on a lathe and manufacture their own specialist hand tools. These include a screwdriver, spring hitch, pad slicks and bench peg. Students attend engineering workshops each week where they make a range of larger or more ambitious tools and gain a level 1 NVQ qualification in Performing Engineering Operations. Other units include: 'Materials and their Application', the 'History and Development of the Woodwind Instrument', 'Woodworking for Instrument Makers' and 'Health and Safety'.

Students keep a written record that documents all the stages of their work.
 

Places at level 2 are only available to UK and EU residents. Entry is based on a successful interview. These are held in the Spring and Summer terms each year. No prior woodworking or musical skills are essential applicants need to show an interest in the woodwind industry that they can sustain throughout the course.

It is helpful to provide examples or photographs of any carpentry or art work you have done at interview to show creativity, dexterity and the capacity to work with accuracy. Places are awarded on the basis of potential, commitment and aptitude.
 

Practical work is reviewed and assessed regularly. The tool making work leads to an NVQ in Performing Engineering Operations

Successful completion of the course provides entry to the Advanced course.

Fees for the 2013/14 academic year are currently under review. Figures given below are indicative only and subject to change. Fees will be posted here as soon as they become available.

The course fees for 2012/13 will be £2000.00 for UK/EU students. This includes tuition, examination fees and materials. These fees are subject to annual review and are expected to increase for next year. Our student services advisors can help assess the level of support available to you.