Guildhall School of Music & Drama announces short courses for autumn 2021

Highlights include Music Production with Glen Scott, an award-winning producer who has a discography of artists including Craig David, James Morrison and Beverly Knight and Reading Theatre: a Play a Week developed by Guildhall School alumni actors Emily Berrington and Ben Lloyd-Hughes.

Four courses have been developed in association with the Barbican: Women in Architecture; How to Write about Art; Understanding Contemporary Art: Painting Today and From Pong to PlayStation: A Brief History of Video Games.

Public booking is open from today, early booking is encouraged due to limited spaces. The deadline for courses in association with the Barbican is 9am Friday 17 September, for all other courses, the deadline is 9am on Monday 13 September 2021.

Online Courses

Music

Film Composition: Intermediate

This six-week online course will develop your skills in writing music for a wide range of film genres. You can expect to learn how to write music for commercials, horror films, animation, drama and fashion films. Participants will also have a 1-to-1 session with the course tutor (approximately 15 minutes) outside of the course times.

The course is for anyone aged 18+ with a passion for cinema and film music. You should have experience of writing music in Logic Pro and one of the following:

• Experience in writing music for film, or writing music for acoustic instruments
• Have obtained Music Theory Grade 4
• Have taken Guildhall School’s beginner short course in Film Music Composition

Further details and equipment requirements can be found on the short course page here.

Course Dates & Times
Tuesday evenings, 28 September, 5, 12, 19, 26 October and 2 November 2021
7.15pm to 8.45pm, BST (UTC+1)/GMT (UTC+/-0)*
*British Summer Time ends on 31 October at 2am

Jazz History, Part 2: 1942-1959

This six-week online course will give you an understanding of the development of musical ideas within jazz from 1942 – 1959. Through guided listening and analysis of solos and compositions, you will explore the various new styles during this period, which include bebop, cool jazz and hard bop, as well as some of the significant recordings that foreshadowed what was to come.

You will learn about some of the most influential musicians of this era, including Charlie Parker, Thelonious Monk, Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins and Art Blakey. The course is for anyone aged 18+ interested in jazz or early US history; an ability to read music will be helpful but not essential.

Participants can expect to gain an overview of the different sub-genres of jazz that were developing during this era and an understanding of the relationship between jazz and wider society; and investigate cultural and technological developments during this period and how they interacted with and influenced jazz music.

Further details and equipment requirements can be found on the short course page here.

Course Dates & Times
Tuesday evenings on 28 September, 5, 12, 19, 26 October and 2 November 2021
6.30 to 8pm, BST (UTC+1)/GMT (UTC+/-0)*
with an optional 15-minute Q&A at the end of each session
*British Summer Time ends on 31 October at 2am

Introduction to the Music Business

This six-week online course will provide you with a thorough introduction to the music business. The course will cover a broad range of topics, including copyrighting, processes around performing, advice on recording contracts and how to apply for public funding to launch your own project.

The course has been developed and is led by Mark Hartley. He has worked for the Arts Council, trained in Film Composition and worked extensively in the music and theatre industries. Currently Mark works as a freelance professional producer and production manager, whilst overseeing specialist school for performance and production arts 'The Jam Academy'.

The course is for anyone aged 18+ with an interest in the music business such as musicians, singers, songwriters and composers wanting to understand more about the industry they are trying to break into or music students wanting to learn about the music business. No prior experience or training is required. Participants can expect to learn about starting your own business, GDPR, copyright law, recording rights, licensing, understanding PPL & PRS, record and publishing deals/contracts, live performance and public funding.

Further details can be found on the short course page here.

Course Dates & Times
Tuesday evenings, 28 September, 5, 12, 19, 26 October and 2 November 2021
7pm to 8.30pm, BST (UTC+1)/GMT (UTC+/-0)*
*British Summer Time ends on 31 October at 2am

In the Studio: Music Production with Glen Scott

This eight-week online course will give you a unique insight into the work of award-winning British music producer Glen Scott, whilst sharing the tips and tricks needed to succeed within music production. With a discography of artists including Craig David, James Morrison and Beverly Knight (to name a few), Scott will share his experience of working in all areas of music production for over 30 years.

Sessions will include audio engineering, song arrangement and writing, production, instrumentation, arrangements and harmony, recording budgets, planning and execution and preparing a song for release.

Participants can expect to gain a rare insight into all aspects of music production within the industry via direct tuition from a successful and well-established music producer who will also give you feedback on your own demo. You will learn how to approach production from beginning to end and gain confidence in making big decisions by trusting your instincts.

The course is for anyone aged 18+ with an interest or a passion for music production, as well as producers looking to expand their existing knowledge. Artists, bands, songwriters and engineers wanting to complete their own productions from start to finish, to produce better demos and produce more professional sound mixes are also welcome.

Further details and equipment requirements can be found on the short course page here.

Course Dates & Times
Wednesday evenings, 29 September, 6, 13, 20, 27 October, 3, 10 and 17 November 2021
6.30pm to 8.30pm, BST (UTC+1)/GMT (UTC+/-0)*
*British Summer Time ends on 31 October at 2am

DJ Skills: Beginner Course

This six-week online course will introduce you to the skills required to be a DJ. You will learn to use equipment confidently and be able to identify different tempos of tracks and their structures.

The course is led by DJ Sweetpea who has been DJing for twenty years, ten of those active in the Drum and Bass scene. She has played at clubs including Fabric, Egg, Studio 338 and Phonox and hosts radio shows on bassdrive.com, Origin UK and Rude FM.

As a producer she’s had music played on BBC Introducing and BBC Radio 1’s Drum and Bass show.

The course is for anyone aged 18+ interested in learning how to mix tracks and DJing skills at a beginner level; no prior DJ skills are necessary. Female-identifying participants are particularly encouraged to participate. You can expect to learn how to confidently set-up your own equipment and mix three tracks together, know the rough BPM (beat per minute) of any song, be able to visualise musical structure clearly and confidently, and be able to collect music for use in a mix.

Further details and equipment requirements can be found on the short course page here.

Course Dates & Times
Wednesday evenings, 29 September, 06, 13, 20, 27 October and 3 November 2021
6.30pm to 8.30pm BST (UTC+1)/GMT (UTC+/-0)*
*British Summer Time ends on 31 October at 2am

Drama

Introduction to Shakespeare: An Experiential Workshop

This six-week online course, taught by Mariah Gale, one of the UK’s leading classical actors and Aled Pedrick, a teacher on Guildhall School’s Acting programme for over 10 years, will give you a thorough introduction into the actor’s approach to Shakespeare, and equip you with techniques to approach texts with confidence.

The course is for anyone aged 18+ who is passionate about literature and would like to discover more about Shakespeare. Participants can expect to unravel and demystify Shakespeare’s language; learn what golden clues for an actor lie within Shakespeare’s verse; and experience the classical actor’s approach through breathing techniques, vocal exercises and practical text work.

Further details can be found on the short course page here.

Course Dates & Times
Tuesday evenings, 28 September, 5, 12, 19, 26 October and 2 November* 2021
6.30pm to 8.30pm, BST (UTC+1)/GMT (UTC+/-0)**
*last session (2 November) will be 2.5 hours
**British Summer Time ends on 31 October at 2am

Reading Theatre: a Play a Week

This six-week online course has been developed by Guildhall School alumni Emily Berrington (Humans, Channel 4/AMC) and Ben Lloyd-Hughes (Me Before You, MGM) and will see you form your very own theatre book club. You will read a different play text each week, in your own time, and each session will give you the opportunity to discuss and explore it with your group, course tutors and industry professionals, including actors, designers and directors. Each session will be joined by a guest speaker, names include Mariah Gale, Simon Paisley Day, Sinead Matthews, Nikesh Patel, Patrick Osborne and Joanna Scotcher (speakers may change due to availability); Lloyd-Hughes and/or Berrington will co-lead the course. The plays will cover a range of playwrights, genres, styles and subjects and different actors and directors will be brought in to discuss how they would go about approaching them.

This course is for anyone aged 18+ with an interest in theatre, who would like to gain a deeper understanding of different theatre genres and playwrights. Participants can expect open and relaxed discussions about themes, ideas, language and responses to the plays.

Further details can be found on the short course page here.

Course Dates & Times
Wednesday evenings, 29 September, 6, 13, 20, 27 October, 3 November 2021
7.15pm to 8.45pm, BST (UTC+1)/GMT (UTC+/-0)*
*British Summer Time ends on 31 October at 2am

Creative Skills

A Beginner’s Guide to Marketing & PR in the Creative Industries

This six-week online course, developed and led by Annie Jarvis, Head of Development at Cause4, will provide participants with an introduction to marketing and PR in the creative industries. Annie leads on fundraising and campaign development for a range of charities, and delivers training on marketing, social media management and fundraising.

You will learn about different aspects of developing a marketing strategy, such as how to identify and engage audiences, organise a marketing budget, grow your profile online and develop and implement a PR plan.

The course is for artists, creatives and those with small businesses, aged 18+, who are looking to develop their understanding of marketing and have little or no prior experience. Participants can expect to explore topics including marketing strategy, branding, social media, press releases, identifying and engaging audiences and budget planning.

Further details can be found on the short course page here.

Course Dates & Times
Tuesday evenings on 28 September, 5, 12, 19, 26 October and 2 November 2021
6.30pm to 8.15pm, BST (UTC+1)/GMT (UTC+/-0)*
*British Summer Time ends on 31 October at 2am

Online Courses in Association with the Barbican

From Pong to PlayStation: A Brief History of Video Games

This six-week online course, developed in association with the Barbican and Prof. James Newman, will explore the history of video games, how they are designed and played and how this global entertainment medium began its life almost by accident in a university computer lab. 

Prof. Newman is Research Professor in Digital Media and a Teaching Fellow at Bath Spa University, who has written books including Videogames: Playing with Videogames; Best Before: Videogames, Supersession and Obsolescence (for Routledge); and 100 Videogames and Teaching Videogames (for BFI Publishing).

You will learn about the design of levels, graphics, sound and interfaces, how games change as they are translated for different audiences and how video games impact on how we play, connect and communicate. This course will offer a unique range of perspectives on video games with each session looking at games very differently.

This course is for anyone aged 18+ with an interest in video games and their histories. Participants can expect to learn what ‘video game’ means; how designers create levels; how they can teach us to play without us noticing or reading an instruction manual; how games change as they are translated and localised for different audiences; how sound and music are composed for them and how video games can create new experiences that are shared online with millions of people.
Further details can be found on the short course page here.

Course Dates & Times
Wednesday evenings, 06, 13, 20, 27 October, 03 and 10 November 2021
7pm to 9pm, BST (UTC+1)/GMT (UTC+/-0)*
*British Summer Time ends on 31 October at 2am

In-Person Courses

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

Drama

Creative Writing for Performance

This six-week in-person course at Guildhall School, will develop your creative writing skills and provide you with inspiration to bring an idea for theatre to life. The course will focus on sparking ideas and creating theatre through text, with an active approach to creative writing that will bring writers away from their desks. It has been developed and is run by award winning writers and performers Maddie Rice (Fleabag, Soho Theatre/DryWrite) and Tom Machell (Ticker, Play Dead Press).

The course is for anyone aged 18+ who has an idea for a story and wants to bring it to life, or anyone who wants to write for performance but doesn’t know where to start. Participants can expect to learn how to write stories for performance and develop writing techniques through exercises, including improvisation. You will also gain an understanding of structure, form and character development.

Further details can be found on the short course page here.

Course Dates & Times
Tuesday evenings on 28 September, 5, 12, 19, 26 October and 2 November* 2021
7pm to 9pm, BST (UTC+1)/GMT (UTC+/-0)**
*last session (2 November) will be 2.5 hours
**British Summer Time ends on 31 October at 2am

Introduction to Acting

This six-week in-person course at Guildhall School, led by Eva Feiler, will explore what “good acting” might be and how actors can achieve it. Eva trained at Guildhall School of Music & Drama and was awarded the Gold Medal for Drama. TV and Theatre credits include: The Crown (Netflix), Parkinson: Masterclass - Simon Russell Beale (Sky Arts) and Othello (RSC). During six sessions, you will work with the course tutor to develop truthfulness and connection to text.

The course is for anyone aged 18+ that is considering going into acting or has just started out, no experience necessary. Participants can expect to play games and be increasingly ‘in the moment;’ explore the concept of acting through various exercises; use their imagination in scenes and simple improvisations; learn techniques to relax and ensure clear delivery and projection; investigate scenes for clues about the context and circumstances; work on short scenes from contemporary plays and use their life experience to explore characters.

Further details can be found on the short course page here.

Course Dates & Times
Tuesday evenings on 28 September, 5, 12, 19, 26 October and 2 November* 2021
7pm to 9pm, BST (UTC+1)/GMT (UTC+/-0)**
*last session will be 2.5 hours
**British Summer Time ends on 31 October at 2am

In-Person Courses in Association with the Barbican

The following courses will take place at the Barbican Centre: 

Women in Architecture

Discover the critical role women have played in the development of modern architecture in this six-week in-person course at the Barbican Centre.

Developed in association with the Barbican, and led by Dr Jane Hall, the inaugural recipient of the British Council Lina Bo Bardi Fellowship (2013) and founding member of the Turner Prize-winning London architecture collective Assemble, the course provides an engaging introduction to the history of female architects, and will explore their careers, as well as a selection of just some of their iconic and groundbreaking buildings. Learn about the women who first joined the profession, the obstacles they faced and continue to face to this day, and how they have shaped our living environments.

During the six weeks, the course will look at architects such as Lilly Reich, Charlotte Perriand, Anne Tyng, Cini Boeri, Gae Aulenti, Lin Huiyin, Minnette de Silva, Anne Lacaton, Jeanne Gang and the work of MATRIX Design Cooperative and Muf.

Participants can expect the following: to gain an understanding of the key role women have had in shaping our environment through architecture from the mid to late 20^th century; become familiar with a number of influential buildings designed by female architects; and understand the challenges women face as architects and the counter movements that have emerged.

The course is for anyone aged 18+ who is interested in architecture or design and looking to gain more knowledge in these fields. No prior knowledge or training is necessary, those new to the subject are encouraged to join.

Further details can be found on the short course page here. 

Course Dates & Times
Tuesdays evenings on 5, 12, 19, 26 October and 2, 9 November 2021
7pm to 9pm, BST (UTC+1)/GMT (UTC+/-0)*
*British Summer Time ends on 31 October at 2am

Understanding Contemporary Art: Painting Today

This six-week in-person course developed in association with the Barbican, and led by Dr Matthew James Holman, Research Associate at The Perimeter, a contemporary art collection in Bloomsbury, will offer an introduction to contemporary painting, placing recent developments in historical context and offering in-depth insight into the state of painting today.

Matthew received his PhD on the art writing of American poet Frank O'Hara in 2020, and has lectured on the history of painting at the Slade School of Fine Art, The Courtauld Institute of Art and Queen Mary University of London, as well as given talks at the Serpentine Galleries and Tate.

The course, which takes place at the Barbican Centre, will look at how contemporary painters, especially those working in London, have revised traditional genres in new ways – such as still life, landscape, and portraiture – as well as developed radical modes of abstraction. You will explore the main themes, movements, and painters of the moment from hyper-realism to multi-media installations, new forms of surrealism to revived gestural abstract painting. 

Some of the things participants can expect to learn about include: the historical development of twentieth-century modern art applicable to painting today, such as perspective, use of materials and compositional technique; the different ways museums and galleries address questions of commissioning emerging artists; contemporary still life as a means of memorialisation, commemoration and political critique; portraiture and realism; the development of landscape painting; abstract painting; and new movement and artistic ‘scenes.’

The course is for anyone aged 18+ with an interest in contemporary art, who wants to understand more about the state of painting today.

Further details can be found on the short course page here.

Course Dates & Times
Tuesday evenings 05, 12, 19, 26 October, 02, 09 November 2021
7pm to 9pm, BST (UTC+1)/GMT (UTC+/-0)*
*British Summer Time ends on 31 October at 2am

How to Write about Art

This six-week in-person course, developed in association with the Barbican, will teach you the foundations of art writing, from artistic statements to criticism and proposals to press releases. Led by Dr Matthew James Holman, an active exhibition reviewer and essayist, who has been published by Frieze, Burlington Contemporary, The Art Newspaper, The RA Magazine, Apollo and The White Review, the course will look at art writing from several key professional perspectives. It will give you the foundations and tools to approach art writing for different purposes and by the end of the course you will have written a piece of your own.

Taking place at the Barbican Centre, participants can expect the course to be practical and discussion-led, looking at a range of approaches by professional reviewers, long-form essayists and creative writers. There will be a focus on both the practical aspects of arts journalism, such as composing a pitch and developing an angle, as well as participation in focussed workshops on structure, research and honing an independent voice. These exercises will follow the process of writing several pieces from the initial idea through to the editing process.

The course is for anyone aged 18+ with a desire to develop their skills in writing about art and wanting to receive feedback on their work.

Further details can be found on the short course page here.

Courses Dates & Times
Wednesday evenings on 6, 13, 20, 27 October, 3 and 10 November 2021
7pm to 9pm, BST (UTC+1)/GMT (UTC+/-0)*
*British Summer Time ends on 31 October at 2am

Bookings

Further details and fees can be found on the Short Courses page.