Jazz & Rock Week

Public booking opens at 11am, Thursday 28 November. Join our mailing list before Monday 25 November to receive priority booking.

Ages 14+

Course Dates & Times

Sunday 3 – Friday 8 August 2025

2pm–6.30pm on Sunday 3 August 

10am–5.30pm, Monday 4 – Friday 8 August 

The course will include optional evening activities for the course participants from Monday to Thursday, from 7pm to 9.30pm: the Tutors’ Concerts are an opportunity for the participants to hear the course tutors play together, and the Club is an opportunity for the participants to jam and play together.

The end-of-course concert will take place on Friday 8 August 2025.

About Jazz & Rock Week

This six-day 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.

The course is directed by Scott Stroman, Jazz Professor at Guildhall School, alongside professional musicians and expert teachers from Guildhall School. 

Who is the course for?

Anyone aged 14 and over with a passion for music. Classes and groups will be allocated by participant ability. We recommend a minimum level of Grade 3 ABRSM or above in order to keep up to speed with the course, but we cater from this level all the way up to semi-professional.

What can I expect?

A friendly and vibrant week, consisting of instrumental and vocal workshops, jazz combos, rock bands, big bands, vocal groups, rhythm workshops, harmony and improvisation classes, as well as the opportunity to record in Guildhall School’s professional recording facilities.

There will be tutor concerts – a unique opportunity to see your course tutors in action as well as your very own ‘music club’ – an opportunity for Jazz & Rock participants to perform for each other during the week. Both of these will take place after the course ends each day and are optional to attend.

Do I need anything for the course?

• Instrumentalists: please bring your instrument and related equipment such as cymbals for drummers, guitar picks for guitarists etc.
• Please note that there is a limited number of pianos and drumkits to be shared amongst participants
• We encourage instrumentalists and singers who require amplification to bring their own amps

Course Fee

£695

Public booking opens at 11am, Thursday 28 November. Join our mailing list before Monday 25 November to receive priority booking.

Participation Bursaries are available for this course. Please note the application deadline for Participation Bursaries is 28 April 2025.

Eligibility

• We welcome participants from all ages 14 and over
• Participants must have sufficient English language skills in order to fully engage with the course 
• Recommended minimum standard ABRSM grade 3+ or equivalent. No auditions required

About the Course Tutor

The course is directed by Scott Stroman, and taught by an experienced team of world-class jazz teachers from Guildhall School and beyond.

Scott has been a Professor in the Jazz Department at Guildhall School of Music & Drama since 1983. He was made a Fellow of Guildhall School in 1988. He has won the BBC Big Band Contest six times and made four albums as director of the Guildhall Jazz Band, and teaches jazz composition, arranging and performance. He has led hundreds of courses and workshops in improvisation, performance, singing, world music, and conducting throughout the UK and Europe. He was music director for the Globe Music Exchange and director of the African and Gospel Music Workshop at the Dartington International Summer School, and is artistic adviser to the Escuela de Musica Municipal in La Coruña, Spain. His work has been featured on radio and television.

He has directed and presented many combined performance and education series and programmes on the music of Bach, Haydn, Dvorak, Stravinsky, Bartok, John Adams, Lutoslawski, Duke Ellington, Gil Evans, gospel music, African music, Brazilian music and that of many other traditions and composers.