Guildhall School of Music & Drama announces Easter Courses and Summer Schools for 2023

Easter Courses include:

• Conducting & Ensemble Direction (in-person), for musicians and music educators aged 18+ who would like to develop their conducting technique and ensemble direction skills.
• Easter Music Course (in-person), for young musicians aged 8–14 looking to gain some ensemble experience in a welcoming and supportive environment.
• Mastering Aural Tests (online), for young musicians aged 11–17 who want to work on refining their aural skills, for exams or personal development.
• Shakespeare for GCSE: Mastering Macbeth (in-person), for GCSE students aged 14–17 who are studying Macbeth and would like support with revision in a way that is fun and easy to understand.
• Writing Poetry (in-person), for children aged 13–17 who would like to write poetry and explore different forms of creative expression..

Easter Courses are for a variety of ages from 8 years and up, and will run for a duration of two to five days, during the Easter school holidays. The deadline for courses is 5pm, Wednesday 29 March 2023. 
 

Summer Schools include: 

• Acting Summer Schools, for anyone aged 12+ who would like an insight into actor training in a supportive environment. These are split into the following age groups 12–15, 16–17 and 18+.
• Introduction to Songwriting, for anyone aged 18+ with an interest in writing songs and developing their voice. 
• Jazz & Rock Week, for instrumentalists and singers aged 14+ who want to develop their skills in jazz and rock music.
• Prop Making, for anyone aged 16+ with an interest in prop design for Theatre, Film and TV. 
• Scenic Art, for anyone aged 16+ with an interest in learning new painting skills and more about the role of a scenic artist. 

Summer Schools are for a variety of ages from 11 years and up, and will run for a duration of two-days to two-weeks, during the Summer school holidays. The deadline for courses is 5pm, Sunday 9 July 2023. 

Sign up to the Short Courses & Summer Schools mailing list before 11am, Friday 25 November to get priority booking for Easter Courses and Summer Schools. Public booking will open at 11am, Monday 28 November. 

In-Person Easter Courses 

The following courses will take place at Guildhall School of Music & Drama: 

Drama 

Audition Technique: Acting
Saturday 1 April – Sunday 2 April 2023, 10am-5pm 
Ages 17+

Whether you are interested in developing a speech for drama school or university or just generally improving your audition technique, this two-day course will give you an insight and introduction into the tools you need to succeed.

Further details can be found on the course page. 

Shakespeare for GCSE: Mastering Macbeth 
Saturday 01 April and Sunday 02 April, 10am-4.30pm
Ages ages 14–17

This two-day course will take you through the core speeches in Macbeth, in an intensive revision session brought to life by professional actors.  

Further details can be found on the course page. 

Writing Poetry 
Saturday 1 April – Monday 3 April 2023, 10:30am-3.30pm
Ages 13–17

This three-day in-person course will equip you with a number of different skills to approach poetry writing, reading modern poetry and exercise your imagination.

Further details can be found on the course page. 
 

Music 

Conducting & Ensemble Direction
Monday 3 April – Thursday 6 April 2023, 10.30am-5.30pm

This four-day course is for musicians and music educators who would like to develop their conducting technique and ensemble direction skills.

Further details can be found on the course page. 

Essential Music Theory: Grade 5
Sunday 2 April – Thursday 6 April 2023, 10am-4pm
Ages 11+

This five-day in-person course is ideal if you are preparing for the ABRSM Grade 5 Music Theory exam and/or want to improve your knowledge of music theory.

Further details can be found on the course page. 

Easter Music Course
Monday 3 April – Thursday 6 April 2023, 10am-4.30pm
Ages 8–14

This four-day unique and exciting course is for young instrumentalists playing any bowed string, wind, brass or percussion instrument.

Further details can be found on the course page. 

Music Production in Logic Pro
Monday 3 April – Thursday 6 April 2023, 10am-5pm 
Ages 14–17

This four-day course will develop your skills in music technology, including composition, sound design and production.

Further details can be found on the course page. 

Online Easter Courses 

The following online courses will take place via Zoom: 

Music 

Mastering Aural Tests 
Monday 3 April – Thursday 6 April 2023, 10:30am-12:30pm, BST (UTC+1)
Ages 11–17

This four-day online music course, led by Guildhall professor Shelagh Sutherland, will help you practise your aural skills, accelerate the learning process and increase your exam confidence.

Further details can be found on the course page. 

In-Person Summer Schools 

The following Summer Schools will take place at Guildhall School of Music & Drama: 

Drama 

Acting Summer School for ages 18+ 
Monday 17 July – Friday 28 July 2023 (excluding weekends), 10am-5.30pm

This two-week in-person course will give you an insight into actor training, by exploring the fundamentals of acting in a supportive environment. 

Further details can be found on the course page. 

Acting Summer School for ages 16–17
Monday 17 July - Friday 28 July 2023 (excluding weekends), 9.30pm-5.30pm

This two-week course offers an inspirational insight into contemporary and classical actor training for actors aged 16-17. 

Further details can be found on the course page. 

Acting Summer School for ages 12–15
Monday 31 July - Friday 4 August 2023, 9.30am-5pm 

This five-day in-person course will help you connect with your inner creativity, develop your skills, and offer an insight into professional acting training in a fun, welcoming and creative environment.

Further details can be found on the course page. 

Music 

Advanced Aural Skills 
Monday 17 July - Friday 21 July 2023, 10am-4pm
Ages 14+

This five-day music course, led by Guildhall professor Shelagh Sutherland, will help develop existing aural skills to the level required for ABRSM and Trinity Grade 8 and above.

Further details can be found on the course page. 

Essential Music Theory: Grade 5 
Monday 24 July – Friday 28 July 2023, 10am-4pm
Ages 11+

This five-day in-person course is ideal if you are preparing for the ABRSM Grade 5 Music Theory exam and/or want to improve your knowledge of music theory.

Further details can be found on the course page. 

Introduction to Music Therapy 
Saturday 22 July – Sunday 23 July 2023, 10am-5pm 
Ages 18+ 
This two-day in-person course is delivered by tutors with wide-ranging experience in clinical and professional settings, via a combination of theoretical and practical sessions, case presentations and experiential learning.

Further details can be found on the course page. 

Introduction to Songwriting
Friday 21 July - Sunday 23 July 2023, 10.30am-5pm
Ages 18+

This three-day in-person course will teach you the skills needed to write your own songs and develop your voice. 

Further details can be found on the course page. 

Introduction to Video Projection Mapping 
Monday 24 July – Friday 28 July 2023, 10am-5pm
Ages 16+

This five-day in-person course aimed at beginners will give you a unique opportunity to learn and develop the necessary skills to prepare and project video onto a 3D structure, using industry standard video projection software Resolume Arena 7 and Adobe CC.

Further details can be found on the course page. 

Jazz & Rock Week
Sunday 30 July – 4 August 2023, 10am-5.30pm* daily. 
*2pm-6pm on Sunday 30 July  
The end-of-course concert will take place on Friday 5 August 2022
Ages 14+

This one-week in-person course is ideal for instrumentalists and singers who want to develop their skills in jazz and rock music, feel inspired and have lots of fun.

Further details can be found on the course page. 

Music Production in Logic Pro
Monday 24 July - Friday 28 July 2023, 10am-5pm
Ages 13–17

This five-day in-person course will develop your skills in music technology, including composition, sound design and production. 

Further details can be found on the course page. 

Singers' Weekend: Jazz, Gospel & World Music
Saturday 29-Sunday 30 July 2023, 10am-6pm 
Ages 16+

This two-day in-person workshop, led by Scott Stroman and Guildhall's Jazz vocal team, will focus on jazz, gospel, world and popular music. 

Further details can be found on the course page. 

Vocal Summer School for Classical Singers
Monday 17 July - Friday 21 July 2023, 9am-5pm 
Ages 16–21
This five-day in-person course led by senior staff from the Vocal Studies department will enable singers aged 16–21 to experience Guildhall School’s world-leading vocal training.  

Further details can be found on the course page. 

Wind, Brass & Percussion Summer Course
Monday 24 July -Thursday 27 July 2023, 10.30am-5.30pm 
Ages 12–18
This four-day in-person course, taught by Junior Guildhall tutors, will develop your wind, brass and percussion skills in a friendly and supportive environment.

Further details can be found on the course page. 

Production Arts 

Prop Making
Monday 24 July - Friday 28 July 2023, 10am-5pm
Ages 16+

This five-day in-person course will introduce you to a wide range of techniques and materials used by a prop department for theatre, film or TV.

Further details can be found on the course page.

Scenic Art
Monday 24 July - Friday 28 July 2023, 10am-5pm 
Ages 16+

This five-day in-person course in scenic art led by Vanessa Cass, Head of Design Realisation at Guildhall School, will introduce you to scenic painting techniques used to create realistic backdrops and set pieces for theatre, events and TV.

Further details can be found on the course page. 

Sound Design for Theatre 
Monday 24 July - Friday 28 July 2022, 10am-5pm
Ages 16+

This five-day hands-on course will introduce you to the practical, creative and technological aspects of sound design and management for the stage.

Further details can be found on the course page. 

Stage Lighting
Monday 24 July - Friday 28 July 2023, 10am-5pm 
Ages 16+

This five-day course introduces you to the work of an electrics department in the theatre industry and its accessories, including lamps, lenses, lanterns and luminaires. 

Further details can be found on the course page. 

Stage Management
Monday 24 July - Friday 28 July 2023, 10am-5pm 
Ages 16+

This five-day in-person course will give you an introduction into the world of stage management and the skills required, including the art of blocking and cueing to music.

Further details can be found on the course page. 

Introduction to Theatre Sound Engineering
Friday 21 July - Sunday 23 July 2023, 10am-6pm 
Ages 16+

This three-day in-person course will provide the perfect introduction to sound engineering for the theatre. You will learn the fundamental skills required to use digital sound consoles, PA systems & microphones.

Further details can be found on the course page. 

Online Summer Schools 

The following online Summer Schools will take place via Zoom: 

Music 

Advanced Music Theory: Online 
Monday 31 July - Friday 4 August 2023, 10am-5pm, BST (UTC+1)
Ages 14+

This five-day online music theory course, led by Guildhall Composition Professor Paul Whitmarsh, is ideal if you wish to prepare for music theory exams above ABRSM Grade 5 or equivalent, or if you want to improve your knowledge of music theory.

Further details can be found on the course page. 

Essential Aural Skills: Online
Monday 24 July - Friday 28 July 2023, 10.30am-12.30pm and 1.30pm-3.30pm, BST (UTC+1)
Ages 11–17

This five-day online music course, led by Guildhall professor Shelagh Sutherland, will help you practise your aural skills, accelerate the learning process and make your playing more expressive.

Further details can be found on the course page. 

Bookings

Further details and fees can be found on the individual course pages.

Participation Bursaries 

Participation bursaries are available for selected Easter Courses and Summer Schools, which provide financial support to those living in low-income households. View the Guildhall School website for eligibility criteria and guidance.