Jazz & Rock Week

Book Now for Jazz & Rock Week
A shot of a large group of musicians on stage, taken looking out over the audience

Key information:

Course dates:
Sun 28 July – Fri 2 August 2024
Course times:
Sun 28 Jul: 2pm–6.30pm/ Mon 29 Jul – Fri 2 Aug: 10am–5.30pm
Age:
14+
Art form:
Music
Fees:
£635
Deadline:
Bookings will close at 5pm on Sunday 30 June 2024 or when the course reaches full capacity
Level of study:
Short Courses & Summer Schools (ages 18+) | Short Courses & Summer Schools, Workshops & Saturday Centres (under 18)
Mode of study:
In-person
Venue:
Guildhall School of Music & Drama
When:
Summer Schools (July–August)

Course info

Book Now
  • Spaces are limited so early booking is encouraged
  • Bookings will close at 5pm on Sunday 30 June 2024 or when the course reaches full capacity
  • Please note that accommodation in Sundial Court isn't available in 2024
  • For our Terms and Conditions, please click here

Ages 14+

Course Dates & Times

Sunday 28 July – Friday 2 August 2024
2pm–6.30pm on Sunday 28 July

10am–5.30pm, Monday 29 July – Friday 2 August.

The course will include optional evening activities for the course participants from Monday to Thursday, from 7pm to 9.30pm): The Tutors’ Concert is 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 2 August 2024.

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.
  • There is no upper age limit on this course. We encourage and welcome participants from all ages 14 and over.
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 standard 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.

‘The course had given me valuable advice in my primary instrument and was a highly enjoyable experience in being able to know more experienced players and be able to take our skills a step further.’

– Participant on Jazz & Rock Week, 2023

Course Fee

£635

Participation Bursaries are available for this course. Please note the application deadline for participation bursaries is 29 April 2024.

Book Now
  • Spaces are limited so early booking is encouraged
  • Bookings will close at 5pm on Sunday 30 June 2024 or when the course reaches full capacity
  • Please note that accommodation in Sundial Court isn't available in 2024
  • For our Terms and Conditions, please click here

Eligibility

  • For everyone aged 14+. There is no upper age limit on this course. We encourage and welcome participants from all ages 14 and over.
  • Recommended minimum standard ABRSM grade 3+ or equivalent. No auditions required.
  • Participants must have sufficient English language skills to cope with course demands.

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.

Find the Short Course that's perfect for you

Explore our Short Courses & Summer Schools