Guildhall School of Music & Drama announces Easter Courses and Summer Schools for 2024

Easter Courses include:

• Introduction to Directing: First Steps (in-person), for anyone aged 18 and over, interested in an introduction to directing plays, with emphasis on the preparation required and how to apply this practically within the rehearsal room.
• Audition Technique (in-person), for anyone aged 17 and over, who have an interest in acting and would be interested in applying for Drama School or equivalent programme, or actors who are interested in improving general audition technique.
• Film Music Composition for Beginners (in-person), for anyone aged 14 to 17 who has a passion for cinema and film music. No prior experience of film music composition is necessary but a basic understanding of Logic Pro is needed. Participants need to be able to read music in order to take part in the course.
• Mastering Aural Tests (online), for young musicians aged 11 to 17 who want to work on refining their aural skills, for exams or personal development.
• Music Production for Girls (in-person), for girls and female identifying participants aged 13 to 17 at beginner to intermediate level, interested in making their own music, whilst gaining advice.

Easter Courses are for a variety of ages from eight years and over and will run for a duration of two to five days, during the Easter school holidays. The deadline for all courses excluding Music Production for Girls is 5pm, Monday 1 April 2024. The deadline for Music Production for Girls is 5pm, Friday 26 January 2024. 

Summer Schools include:

• Acting in an Accent–General American  (in-person), for anyone aged 18 and over interested in learning about, and working on, accents with a specific focus on General American. We welcome participants on previous drama short courses to working professionals looking to refine existing skills.
• Conducting Summer Course (in-person), for aspiring professional musicians and GCSE and A-Level students aged 14 to 18 who are interested in studying music at undergraduate and postgraduate level.
• Introduction to Music Therapy (in-person), for anyone aged 18 and over considering a career as a music therapist or anyone interested in the MA Music Therapy course at Guildhall, who would like an insight into the course.
• Singers’ Weekend: Jazz, Gospel & World Music (in-person), for anyone aged 16 and over with a passion for singing. You do not need to be able to read music to attend, as all songs will be taught by ear.
• Sound Design for Theatre (in-person), for anyone aged 16 and over with an interest in sound, its manipulation and use in a theatrical or narrative context.
• Speaking Shakespeare: Classical Monologue (in-person), for anyone aged 16 and over interested in deepening their understanding of Shakespeare and/or thinking about applying to drama school or university.

Summer Schools are for a variety of ages from 11 years and above and will run for a duration of two-days to two-weeks, during the summer holidays. The deadline for courses is 5pm, Sunday 30 June 2024. 

Public booking for Easter Courses and Summer Schools will open at 11am, Monday 27 November. Further details and fees can be found on the individual course pages.
 

In-Person Easter Courses

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

Drama

Introduction to Directing: First Steps 
Sat 6 – Sun 7 April 2024, 10am–5pm
Ages 16–18

This new two-day course will introduce you to the role of a director. Through practical exercises and discussions, you will work with a professional director, an actor and a designer to understand the collaborative role and process that is required of this exciting role.

Further details can be found on the course page.

Introduction to Screen Acting
Sat 6 – Sun 7 April 2024, 10am–5pm
Ages 18+

This two-day course will introduce you to the techniques and skills required for acting in film and television.

Further details can be found on the course page.

Audition Technique: Acting
Sat 6 – Sun 7 April 2024, 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.
 

Music

Conducting & Ensemble Direction
Mon 8 – Thu 11 April 2024,10.30am–5.30pm
Ages 18+

This four-day course will give you a thorough grounding in the physical technique of conducting and will see you conduct a variety of repertoire.

Further details can be found on the course page.

Easter Music Course
Mon 8 – Thu 11 April 2024, 10am–4.30pm
Ages 8–14

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

Further details can be found on the course page.

Essential Music Theory: Grade 5
Mon 8 – Fri 12 April 2024, 10am–4pm 
Ages 11+

This five-day 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.

Music Production for Girls
Mon 8 – Fri 12 April 2024, 10am–5pm
Ages 13–17

This course is aimed at girls and female identifying participants, wanting to make their own music and develop their understanding of music production.

This five-day course will provide an opportunity for participants to develop their skills in composition and music technology through workshops, covering a range of skills including sequencing, using synthesisers in Ableton, sampling, making beats and more.

Further details can be found on the course page.
 

Online Easter Courses

The following online courses will take place via Zoom:

Film Music Composition for Beginners (Ages 14-17)
Mon 8 – Thu 11 April 2024, 10am–12pm, BST (UTC+1)
Ages 14–17

This online course taking place over four days, will equip you with an understanding of how to write music for film.

Further details can be found on the course page.

Mastering Aural Tests
Mon 8 – Thu 11 April 2024, 10.30am–12.30pm, BST (UTC+1)
Ages 11–17

This online course taking place across four days, 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 courses will take place at Guildhall School of Music & Drama:

Drama 

Acting in an Accent – General American
Mon 8 – Fri 12 July 2024, 10am–5pm
Ages 18+

This five-day course will introduce you to the foundations and principles of working in an accent other than your own.

Further details can be found on the course page.

Speaking Shakespeare: Classical Monologue
Mon 8 – Fri 12 July 2024, 10am–5pm
Ages 16+

This intensive five-day summer course led by Paula Stephens, industry professional and Guildhall tutor and panellist, is ideal for participants wanting to explore the texts of Shakespeare.

Further details can be found on the course page.

Acting Summer School for ages 18+
Mon 8 – Fri 19 July 2024 (excluding weekends), 10am–5.30pm

This two-week 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.

Introduction to Screen Acting
Sat 13 – Sun 14 July 2024, 10am–5pm
Ages 18+

This two-day course will introduce you to the techniques and skills required for acting in film and television.

Further details can be found on the course page.

Pitching and Treatments for Screen
Sat 13 – Sun 14 July 2024, 10am–5pm
Ages 18+

This new two-day course aims to demystify the pitching process and help you find the confidence to sell your ideas for the screen.

Further details can be found on the course page.

Acting Summer School for ages 16–17
Mon 15 – Fri 26 July 2024 (excluding weekends), 9.30am–5.30pm

This two-week course offers an inspirational insight into contemporary actor training for young people aged 16 to 17.

Further details can be found on the course page.

Acting Summer School for ages 12–15
Course 1: Monday 22 – Friday 26 July 2024, 9.30am–5pm
Course 2: Monday 29 – Fri 2 August 2024, 9.30am–5pm

This five-day 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.

Acting through Song Summer Course
Course 1: Mon 29 – Tues 30 July 2024: 9:30–5:30pm; Wed 31 July 2024: 9:30am–1pm
Course 2: Wed 31 July 2024: 2pm–5.30pm; Thu 1 August – Friday 2 Aug: 9.30am–5.30pm
Ages 16+

This six-week evening course will explore singing and acting through song. This practical course, which will see you delve into the world of musical theatre, pop and folk singing, will combine contemporary acting and singing techniques.

Further details can be found on the course page.
 

Music 

Music Production in Logic Pro
Course 1 (for ages 18+): Mon 8 – Fri 12 July 2024, 10am–5pm
Course 2 (for ages 13–17): Mon 22 – Fri 26 July 2024, 10am–5pm

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

Further details can be found on both course pages:
For ages 13–17
For ages 18+

Conducting & Ensemble Direction
Tue 9 – Fri 12 July 2024, 10.30am–5.30pm 
Ages 18+

This four-day course will give you a thorough grounding in the physical technique of conducting and will see you conduct a variety of repertoire.

Further details can be found on the course page.

Introduction to Songwriting
Fri 12 – Sun 14 July 2024, 10.30am–5pm
Ages 18+

This three-day 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 Music Therapy
Sat 13 – Sun 14 July 2024, 10am–5pm
Ages 18+

This two-day 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.

Vocal Summer School for Classical Singers
Mon 15 – Fri 19 July 2024, 10am–5:30pm 
Ages 16–21

This five-day course led by senior staff from the Vocal Studies department will enable singers aged 16 to 21 to experience Guildhall School’s world-leading vocal training.

Further details can be found on the course page.

Conducting Summer Course
Course 1: Mon 15 – Fri 19 July 2024, 10am–5pm
Course 2: Mon 22 – Fri 26 July 2024, 10am–5pm
Ages 14–18

This five-day course will give you a thorough grounding in the physical technique of conducting and will see you conduct a variety of repertoire.

Further details can be found on the course page.

Advanced Aural Skills
Mon 22 – Fri 26 July 2024, 10am–4pm
Ages 18+

This five-day course will help develop your existing aural skills to the level required for ABRSM and Trinity Grade 8 and above.

Further details can be found on the course page.

Composition Summer Course
Mon 22 – Fri 26 July 2024, 9:30am–5.30pm
Ages 14–21

This five-day course is a unique opportunity for you to develop your composition skills and write a piece for a small instrumental ensemble.

Further details can be found on the course page.

Essential Music Theory: Grade 5
Mon 22 – Fri 26 July 2024,10am–4pm 
Ages 11+

This five-day 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.

Wind, Brass & Percussion Summer Course
Wed 24 – Sat 27 July 2024, 10.30am–5.30pm
Ages 12–18

This four-day 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.

Singers’ Weekend: Jazz, Gospel & World Music
Sat 27 – Sun 28 July 2024, 10am–6pm
Ages 16+

This two-day course, led by Scott Stroman and Guildhall’s Jazz vocal team, focuses on jazz, gospel, world and popular music.

Further details can be found on the course page.
 
Jazz & Rock Week
Sun 28 July, 2pm–6.30pm  
Mon 29 July – Fri 2 August 2024,10am–5.30pm
Ages 14+

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.

Further details can be found on the course page.
 

Production Arts

Prop Making
Mon 8 – Fri 12 July 2024, 10am–5pm
Ages 16+

This five-day 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
Mon 8 – Fri 12 July 2024,10am–5pm
Ages 16+

This five-day 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.

Introduction to Theatre Sound Engineering
Fri 12 – Sun 14 July 2024,10am–6pm
Ages 16+

This three-day 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.

Introduction to Video Projection Mapping
Mon 15 – Fri 19 July 2024,10am–5pm
Ages 16+

This five-day 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.

Sound Design for Theatre
Mon 22 – Fri 26 July 2024, 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
Mon 22 – Fri 26 July 2024, 10am–5pm
Ages 16+

This five-day course will introduce 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
Mon 22 July – Fri 26 July 2024, 10am–5pm
Ages 16+

This five-day 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.

Online Summer Schools

The following online Summer Schools will take place via Zoom: 

Advanced Music Theory
Course 1: Mon 15 – Fri 19 July 2024, 10am–5pm, BST (UTC+1)
Course 2: Mon 29 July – Fri 2 August 2024, 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. 

Advanced Aural Skills
Mon 22 July – Fri 26 July 2024, 10am-4pm, BST (UTC+1)
Ages 11–17

This online five-day music course will help develop your existing aural skills to the level required for ABRSM and Trinity Grade 8 and above.

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 our eligibility criteria and guidance.