Guildhall Young Artists Online Musical Awareness
This class explores what music is made of, how it is put together and the fundamental skills and techniques music making requires.
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About
Key information:
- Course dates:
- Tuesday evenings
- Course times:
- 5–6pm GMT (UTC+/-0)
- Age:
- 10–18
- Art form:
- Music
- Fees:
- £250 per term
- Level of study:
- Short Courses & Summer Schools, Workshops & Saturday Centres (under 18)
- Mode of study:
- Online
- Contact details:
- gya-online@gsmd.ac.uk
About Musical Awareness
About Musical Awareness
This class explores what music is made of, how it is put together and the fundamental skills and techniques music making requires. Everything you learn here will be put to practice through composition and improvisation as well as sight singing and taking aural dictations.
This class will accelerate the learning process on your instrument and make you a well-rounded musician.
What to expect
The Musical Awareness class is split into two different age groups. No previous experience is required to join either group.
Learn to read and write music while improving your musical skills. Classes are customized for each student.
Use your voice as the main instrument. Learn with solfa syllables, hand signs and rhythm syllables.
Break down music into simple parts like melody, rhythm; harmony, structure and form.
Skills you will learn:
- Hearing music internally
- Singing in parts
- Harmonising
- Basic vocal techniques
- Basic keyboard skills
- Improvising
- Composing
- Reading and writing music
Do I need anything?
- An email address
- A reliable internet connection
- A computer/laptop with a microphone and a camera
- The most recent version of Zoom
- Pen and paper
- A piano/keyboard is helpful but not essential
About the tutor
Michael Spence
Michael studied the Kodály Approach with the British Kodály Academy in 2018, eventually taking up a position at Guildhall School of Music and Drama in the Junior Department as a Kodály specialist in 2020. Michael was then promoted to Classes Co-Ordinator in 2022 where he leads a team of Kodály and Dalcroze teachers delivering musicianship as a core part of the Kindergarten, and String/Brass Training Programmes.
A typical class will begin with aural exercises to improve your perception of intervals, rhythm, harmony and tonality.
This will usually be followed by listening to music examples that demonstrate the lesson’s subject matter. These subjects would include how pieces are composed – from a short ideas and phrases to whole movements or songs; chord sequences in classical music or pop; how keys and modes are used in composition and improvisation.
The final part of the lesson will usually involve some practical work, such as composing, harmonising, analysing and improvising.
Classes will be tailored to the level of each group.
Do I need anything?
• An email address
• A reliable internet connection
• A computer/laptop with a microphone and a camera
• The most recent version of Zoom
• Music notation software and a basic command of it or a willingness to acquire these early on in the course
• We encourage keeping an instrument at hand during classes
About the tutor
Ehud Freeman
Ehud composes music for theatre, dance, media and the concert stage. His work has been performed at Southbank Centre, Wigmore Hall, St. David’s Hall, Beijing Modern Music Festival, The Place, Belfast Sonorities Festival, Rich Mix and Wilton Music Hall among others. His former commercial/TV clients include Warner Bros., Knowledge Network Canada, Europe's Best, Working Title, Sony Pictures, Universal, The Rick Hansen Foundation and the Bank of England.
Ehud founded Guildhall’s London Centre for Young Musician’s composition programme in 2017 and led it until 2022. He has taught and guest lectured at Royal Holloway University and the Architectural Association School of Architecture.
Course information
Fee per term: £250 per term
Means-tested bursaries are available. View our Finance and Funding page for more information.
If you are joining us after the start of term, the number of weeks missed from the term will be deducted from the class fee. Please get in touch with us via our online enquiry form to register your interest for Singer Songwriting and a friendly member of our team will be in touch to confirm the class fee.
We ask for a £100 holding deposit to secure your place. On receipt of your application, a friendly member of our team will discuss your requirements noted on the application form and send a payment link for the reservation of a place. This payment will be taken off one terms fees.
Please find our term dates here.
We regret it is not possible to give refunds in the event of absence. We ask students to commit to as as close to 100% attendance as possible, to ensure you develop and get the most out of your membership. Please refer to the Parent/Carer Agreement for the full terms and conditions.
In the event of authorised absences, students will be able to access recordings of classes.
GYA Online Parent_Carer Agreement.pdf
By signing up to the Music and Drama Course and Music Classes, you agree to sign up for three terms (September to July). If you wish to end the course early, half a term's notice must be given.
This notice period is required to fulfil obligations to the professional tutors, pay for facilities and to encourage you to be fully committed to the courses chosen.
Musical Awareness class
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Benefit from Guildhall Young Artists membership
As a member of GYA Online, you can expect exclusive opportunities, performances and workshops, including competitions, invites to concerts and gigs and performances from students at Guildhall School.
