St. Columb's School of Music

09/09/2026

TRINITY COLLEGE LONDON | WINTER EXAMS 2026

Did you know that St Columb’s School of Music is the local Trinity College London examination centre for Derry-Londonderry?

Each year we are delighted to welcome not only our own students, but candidates from schools, private teachers and music organisations from across the local area to sit their Trinity practical music examinations with us.

The booking window is now open for the Winter 2026 Classical & Jazz face-to-face examinations at the Derry-Londonderry Centre (71103).

EXAM WEEK
Week beginning Monday 7th December 2026

ENTRY DEADLINE
Friday 6th November 2026

All candidate entries must now be made directly through Trinity College London’s online booking platform, with payment made directly to Trinity.Teachers can create an account and make entries on behalf of their students, or students and parents/guardians can create their own account and make an entry directly.

When booking, please select Derry-Londonderry Centre (71103) so that we can assist you with any problems that might arise.

If there are particular dates during the examination week which a candidate cannot attend, these should be included in the ‘Additional Information’ section when making the entry.

As the local Trinity representatives, we continue to support teachers, parents and candidates with the examination process and will endeavour to accommodate requests when arranging the timetable.

Entries can be made online here:
https://my-trinity.trinitycollege.com/music/grades-and-diplomas

Whether you learn with us at St Columb’s School of Music, with a private teacher, at school or elsewhere, we look forward to welcoming you to our Winter examination session in December.

Please feel free to contact us if you require any assistance with your entry.

09/09/2026

BAND PROJECT NIGHT | THE NERVE CENTRE

What a night!

Last Saturday, over 300 people joined us at the Nerve Centre for our St Columb’s School of Music Band Project Night – an incredible turnout and a fantastic way to celebrate the talent of our young musicians.

A huge congratulations to Aero, Étre and Ellipsis, who took to the stage after weeks of rehearsals and preparation as part of this year’s Band Project. It was brilliant to see each band perform with such confidence and energy in front of a packed audience. We were also delighted to welcome Skins as our invited headline band, rounding off a brilliant evening of live music.

A massive thank you to everyone who came along to support the bands, to the families and friends who filled the Nerve Centre, and to everyone involved behind the scenes in making the night possible.

Special thanks to Lee from LMK Photography for capturing the evening so brilliantly – here are just some of our favourite shots from the night.

More than anything, nights like this are what the School of Music is all about: giving young musicians the opportunity not only to learn, but to play together, perform on a real stage and experience the excitement of live music.

Well done everyone – what a night!

Nerve Centre

07/09/2026

Welcome to a new academic year at St Columb’s School of Music!

We are delighted to welcome almost 400 students through our doors as lessons begin again at 3.30pm today for 2026/27.

Whether continuing your musical journey with us or joining the School of Music for the first time, we are looking forward to another busy year of lessons, performances, examinations and opportunities for our students.

Following another very busy enrolment period, we now have only limited spaces remaining across some instruments and tutors.

If you have been thinking about learning an instrument, returning to music, or arranging lessons for your child, there is still time to join us.

We offer tuition across a wide range of instruments and abilities, from complete beginners to advanced students, children (6+) and adults alike.

To enquire about our remaining availability, contact the School of Music at [email protected]

Here’s to another fantastic year of music-making at St Columb’s School of Music!

03/09/2026

Music School Band Night – Live at The Nerve Centre

We’re back at The Nerve Centre for another brilliant night of live music from some of the city’s most exciting young musicians!

Following our last Band Night, Aero and Étre return to the stage, joined this time by Ellipsis – a brand-new band formed through the St. Columb’s School of Music Band Project. All three bands have been working away throughout the summer under the guidance of our guitar tutor Jack McHale, developing their sound, rehearsing together and getting ready to take to the stage.

Headlining the evening will be Skins, rounding off what promises to be a fantastic night of live music and a great showcase for the young talent coming through in Derry.

The Band Project is all about giving young musicians the opportunity to experience what it’s really like to be part of a band – meeting other musicians, choosing and developing repertoire, rehearsing regularly and ultimately performing together on a live stage.

Come along and support them!

Saturday 5th September
7.30pm
The Nerve Centre, Derry
Tickets £5 – available on the door or online:
https://www.stcolumbsschoolofmusic.com/events

Nerve Centre

27/08/2026

Music School Band Night – Live at The Nerve Centre

We’re back at The Nerve Centre for another brilliant night of live music from some of the city’s most exciting young musicians!

Following our last Band Night, Aero and Étre return to the stage, joined this time by Ellipsis – a brand-new band formed through the St. Columb’s School of Music Band Project. All three bands have been working away throughout the summer under the guidance of our guitar tutor Jack McHale, developing their sound, rehearsing together and getting ready to take to the stage.

Headlining the evening will be Skins, rounding off what promises to be a fantastic night of live music and a great showcase for the young talent coming through in Derry.

The Band Project is all about giving young musicians the opportunity to experience what it’s really like to be part of a band – meeting other musicians, choosing and developing repertoire, rehearsing regularly and ultimately performing together on a live stage.

Come along and support them!

Saturday 5th September
7.30pm
The Nerve Centre, Derry
Tickets £5 – available on the door or online:
https://www.stcolumbsschoolofmusic.com/events

Nerve Centre

St. Columb's School of Music based in Derry-Londonderry, N. Ireland. Providing tuition in various instruments, theory and aural tests.

14/08/2026

Roy Adams Memorial Piano Scholarship

Applications are now open for the Roy Adams Memorial Piano Scholarship 2026–2027!

Named in honour of our much-loved organist and pianist Roy Adams, this prestigious scholarship offers free piano lessons for a full year, alongside opportunities to work with leading artists in workshops, perform at events and concerts throughout the year, and receive financial support towards grades, courses and music books.

The scholarship is open to any pianist of Grade 6 standard or above – you do not have to be a current student of St Columb’s School of Music to apply.

Deadline to apply: Friday 21st August
Auditions: Thursday 27th August

For more information and to apply, visit:
www.stcolumbsschoolofmusic.com/school-foundation

We look forward to hearing from the next generation of talented pianists!

31/07/2026

We're delighted to host the 2026 Codetta Choirs Summer Camp this August, running from Tuesday 25 – Friday 28 August!

Over four fun-filled mornings and afternoons of singing, music, games and creativity, children and young people will explore the building blocks of singing through engaging activities, make new friends, and build confidence in a welcoming environment, with In Your Space Circus leading warm up sessions each day with some fun circus skills!

Choirs & Times
Cubs Choir (Ages 5–7): 9.30am–10.30am
Junior Choir (Ages 8–13): 11.00am–1.30pm
Youth Choir (Ages 14–20): 2.30pm–5.30pm

Weekly Fees
• Cubs: £25
• Juniors: £45
• Youth: £55
Discounts available for current members.
Included: Snacks, drinks and a Codetta Summer Camp t-shirt!

Book now: https://www.ticketsource.com/codetta/codetta-summer-camp-2026/e-kkgpzr

09/07/2026

Looking for a lunch-time fix? Look no further! Our neighbours at St Columb's Cathedral are hosting a fabulous Organ and Sax (what a combo!) recital today (Thursday 9th July).

It is a rush hour concert (1:10pm until 1:50pm). Hopefully, you can join us!

04/07/2026

What a brilliant afternoon with some of our St Columb’s School of Music tutors! 🎾🍕

Today we swapped instruments for padel, enjoying some friendly competition on the courts at Let’s Go Padel before finishing the day with some pizza and a well-earned night out together.

A huge thank you to all of our incredible tutors for another fantastic year. We hope you all have a wonderful summer break—you’ve certainly earned it!

A special mention to Clodagh, Grace and Molly as they move on to new adventures. Thank you for everything you’ve done for the School of Music. We wish you every success and happiness in the future, you’ll always be part of the St Columb’s family.

19/06/2026

Our four end-of-year student concerts this week marked the conclusion of another vibrant summer term and successful school year!

A huge congratulations to every student who took part in the concerts and an extra well done to our prizewinners – your commitment, creativity, and musical growth have made each performance something special. We’re so proud of all you’ve achieved over the past year.

A heartfelt thank you also goes to the parents and guardians whose support has made this journey possible. Your encouragement and presence at lessons, rehearsals and events has been invaluable.

To everyone who has been part of our musical community this year – thank you. We look forward to welcoming you back in September for another inspiring year of music-making. Until then, enjoy a well-deserved summer break!

Pictured: Aimee-Rose Carey (Community Outreach Shield); Jane Quigley (School Student of the Year); Kiaya McGurk (Most Promising Student)