Spotlight on evening courses

At Guildhall School we offer evening courses for those aged 18 and over, covering a range of subjects across music, drama, production arts, skills for the creative industries, and more. Evening courses are a flexible way to take the next step towards achieving your goals, whether you want to devote time to a neglected hobby, or build your professional skills.

We caught up with Marion, a musician and teacher who has taken our Writing for an Orchestra: Beginners and Intermediate courses. Marion used to work in music professionally, touring and recording with a band in Ireland. She is a self-taught composer who has written music for friends' weddings, and for local churches and schools. We asked her why she decided to take an evening course and what she got from it.
 

Why did you want to take an evening course at Guildhall School?

For a long time, I'd been interested in studying at Guildhall School. I originally wanted to do a Masters in Music Therapy but this would have been full-time and very demanding.

When I saw this part-time evening course in Writing for an Orchestra, I realised it was more manageable and was something I could factor into my schedule.

What was your experience on the course like?

I had a very positive experience on the course. It was interesting to encounter other students who played different instruments and were pursuing composition. The tutor was very knowledgeable and validated our contributions, no matter how slight. I heard a lot of new music by composers I'd never come across and learnt techniques that have helped me to progress in composition and arrangement.

How did you fit the course around other commitments?

I had times where I couldn't commit to the homework, and times where I could inject a large amount of energy and effort into tasks. There was never a pressure to complete the homework and that helped!

Any particular highlights from the course?

Writing for a small group of instruments from a piano reduction was very satisfying and so was receiving positive feedback.

What made you want to progress onto the Intermediate course?

I was encouraged to do so by another student and then, realising there was a discount helped me make the decision.

What’s next for you in your musical/composition journey?

I write constantly, especially sacred pieces that are played locally.

Do you have any advice for future students?

My advice is to do a course either in-person or online. You will always learn something new, and there's a level of excellence that is followed at Guildhall School that makes learning fun.

Book your place on one of our summer evening courses before 5pm, Friday 18 April.