Accordion (ages 12-17)

There is no deadline to apply, however booking is first come, first serve – so we recommend applying as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Please see Entry Requirements tab for further information about the supporting materials which are required for application.

Payment of the balance of the tuition fee is payable once applicants have been notified that they have been successful in their application to the course and completed their booking.

Daily Warm-Up

The daily warm-up classes will focus on developing your aural and critical listening skills as well as setting up the hands for the day.

Technique Class

The technique class will focus on posture and the building of technique through scales, arpeggios and exercises.

Individual Lessons

One to one lessons will focus on developing your interpretation and understanding of prepared repertoire. You will be encouraged to observe other student’s lessons.

Ensemble Class

You will have the opportunity to collaborate not only with fellow accordionists from the course, but also with students from other courses.

Performance Class

The performance class gives you the chance to perform a prepared work in front of your peers followed by a group discussion. Topics such as stage presence, preparation for performance and calming nerves will be discussed.

Performances

Throughout the week there will be short informal performances given by students and teachers from the Royal Conservatoire.

As well as these daily classes there will be a group session at the end of each day.

You will find an example schedule below of how the week will be shaped. Please note this schedule may change before the course start date.

Monday

• Welcome.
• Technique Class
• 1:1 Lessons
• Chamber Music
• Historical Recordings/Masters

Tuesday

• Technique Class
• 1:1 Lessons
• Chamber Music
• Performance Class
• Trad/Jazz/Var – Accordion in traditional music of different countries.

Wednesday

• Technique Class
• 1:1 Lessons
• Staff Showcase
• Chamber Music
• Performance Class
• Q and A with degree student

Thursday

• Technique Class
• 1:1 Lessons
• Chamber Music
• Performance Class
• Around the world/new music

Friday

• Technique Class
• 1:1 Lessons
• Rehearsals
• Final Sharing – Informal concert open to family and friends.

At the time of application, participants are asked to submit a short recording of no longer than 3 — 4 minutes in length which best demonstrates their current playing level. Students should be at Grade 3 or equivalent.

Recordings can be uploaded to your online application form as an unlisted YouTube link or mp3, or can be emailed to summerschools@rcs.ac.uk. This can be done using your mobile phone, tablet or any handheld recording device. No need to worry about recording quality, it is to access whether this course is best suited to your current level.

The Accordion summer school is an intensive and inspiring five-day course for musicians aged 12—17. Students who take part in the course should want to:

• develop musically and technically
• build repertoire and performing experiences
• become aware of various practice techniques and the importance of critical listening
• be given the chance to play in a group
• gain knowledge about the instrument
• meet other students passionate about music and the accordion
• experience life as a full-time music student
• meet and work with full- time students from the Royal Conservatoire

Students will be asked to bring at least one prepared short work which may be included in an informal performance. Please ensure that you bring sheet music of prepared works, an instrument, notebook, pencils and eraser.

The course runs Monday, 28 July to Friday, 1 August 2025, from 10am to 5pm.

There will be a short sharing of the work students have been engaging with on the Friday afternoon for invited family and friends.

Djordje Gajic began his musical studies in Serbia at the age of six, finally graduating from the Russian Academy of Music in 1993 with a Master of Music degree and the Honorary Title of Solo Performer. He continued his post-graduate studies at the Gnessin Russian Academy of Music and was appointed Assistant to Professor Yuri Dranga.

As an international prize winner, Djordje has won 1st prizes at:

1985 – 2ndConcorso Internazionale“Trofeo G. D’Annunzio , Pescara, Italy; 1986 -Concorso Internazionale Di Musica“Per I Giovani”Stresa, Italy;1986 -11th Concorso Internazionale Di Fisarmonica,Camalo, Italy;1987 -Grand PrixInternational’d’AccordodeSt-Etienne, France;1987 – International Accordion Competition“Prva HarmonikaYugoslavie”,SoloBana, Serbia;1987 -12th Concorso Internazionale Di Fisarmonica,Camalo, Italy;1988 – 38th CMA World Championship“ Confederation Mondiale DeL’accordion, Fontainebleau, France and 2nd prizes at1988 – 25 thInternationaler Akkordeonwettbewerb, Klingeltal, Germany and1994 -International Accordion Competition “Kubok Severa” Cheraparvetz Russia. Following his phenomenal success on the international platform Djordje received a number of prestigious awards which led to television and radio broadcasts for the BBC, RTS Serbia, RTR Russia and RAI Italy.

Djordje has performed with several acclaimed orchestras and ensembles including the Russian State Symphony Orchestra (under the baton of Yvgeny Svetlanov), Royal Scottish National Orchestra, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Scottish Chamber Orchestra (BBC Proms, London), the Fibonacci Sequence Ensemble, Locrian Ensemble, Research Ensemble and Hebrides Ensemble, et al. He is a prolific recitalist throughout Europe (Andorra, Holland, France, Germany, Poland, Latvia, Croatia, Slovenia, Serbia, Italy, Malta, Norway and Britain) and also in Australia, Russia, Bahrainand Tunisia.

Since arriving in Britain Djordje has given solo recitals across the United Kingdom and performed at many of the international music festivals including: Darlington, Norwich, Salisbury, Buxton , Birmingham.

Djordje currently teaches at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Edinburgh University, Douglas Academy and St. Mary’s Music School. He gives masterclasses in the UK, Italy, Germany, China, Serbia and Russia, and is frequently invited to sit on the jury for international competitions. In 1988 he co-founded the International Summer School and Competitions in Kragujevac, Serbia, and in 2013, started Scotland’s first international summer school for classical accordion at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. He regularly participates in seminars and workshops for composers, and promotes classical accordion in schools, universities and festivals. Djordje performs as a soloist and in duo AdLibitum with the violinist Andrea Gajic.

Summer Accommodation

We are pleased to welcome students from across the world to our Summer Schools. Our course fees do not include accommodation or food, and these should be organised by the student. Our campus is located in Glasgow city centre, and you can find the addresses below.

We recommend Base Glasgow, as purpose-built accommodation for Conservatoire students, with Rehearsal Rooms, Practice spaces and Dance Studios. Base Glasgow is perfectly suited for our summer school students; both safe and secure, with 24/7 staff presence and only 3 mins walk from our main Renfrew Street building, keeping travel costs to a minimum.

Classic En-Suite rooms come with a 3/4 bed, en-suite bathroom, ample storage, mirror, study desk and chair. The shared area includes a spacious lounge and kitchen area.

Please note that Short Courses staff are not affiliated with BASE or on site outwith the summer school teaching hours, and therefore cannot take responsibility for students outside of these hours.

For more information about booking accommodation at BASE Glasgow you can contact them directly via website BASE – Student Accommodation in Glasgow or email baseglasgow@herestudents.com.

Alternatively, there are plenty of hotels, hostels, and b’n’b options available. We are located close to transport links should you wish to stay outside the city centre. If you are travelling to Glasgow for a course, we strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance that covers course fees, travel, accommodation, and cancellations due to COVID-19 – as RCS will not refund in this circumstance. You can view the Cancellations and Refund policy for full information.

For students under 18 years old, we strongly advise travelling with a responsible adult should any emergency situations arise during class. Students are only monitored by staff during class times.

Renfrew Street Campus: 100 Renfrew Street, Glasgow, G2 3DB
Wallace Studios Campus: 210 Garscube Road, Glasgow, G4 9RR