Young Composers Course | Guildhall School of Music & Drama

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It’s the best step I ever took to further my music

Christopher
Tuba, Junior Guildhall

It hugely inspires my playing...I come away enlightened each Saturday

Didier
Violin, Junior Guildhall

It's changed our lives by enabling us to learn from great tutors and giving us the opportunity to play with outstanding musicians

Richard, Rebekah & Peter
Percussion, Junior Guildhall

Home > Youth & Adult Learning > Young Composers Course

New Annual Course option available for September entry

Applications for the autumn term close 1 September 5pm

About our Young Composers Course

This is a unique opportunity for composers aged 14-18 to receive one-to-one tutoring, undertake workshops and hear their own composition performed by staff and students from Junior Guildhall and Guildhall School.

The course, which will take place over Zoom, is designed for students working towards GCSE or A Level Music and/or students hoping to enhance their composition skills outside of an exam environment.

You will work with an experienced composition teacher on a one-to-one basis, in addition to taking part in two group workshops (introductory and closing) led by esteemed Guildhall staff. The final workshop will include an opportunity for course tutors to explore and perform student compositions and offer valuable feedback.

The course leader is Paul Whitmarsh and the workshop leader is Jeffrey Wilson.

Please be aware that the course is not GCSE/A-Level exam board specific.

Annual Course Option

Book for three courses from September to July and save £150, together with an additional masterclass with Professor Julian Philips, Head of Composition at Guildhall School.

Amounts to 25.5 hours of tuition over 27 weeks
18 hours of individual tuition, 3 x hour-long opening workshops and 3 x 90-minute closing workshops, with 3 informal concerts and opportunities to have your work performed by staff and students from Junior Guildhall and Guildhall School

Cost: £1,200 *£150 discount*

Termly Course Option

Eight and a half hours of tuition over nine weeks

6 hours of individual tuition, an hour-long opening workshop and a 90-minute closing workshop, with an informal concert

Cost: £450 per term

Course Dates and Application Deadlines:

Entry Requirements

Students will be offered a place based on availability and an appropriate level of knowledge and experience in composition.

Course Materials

How to apply

To apply, please complete the application form here. Once you have submitted this form, we will review your application and one of the team will contact you if we are able to offer you a place.

Guildhall Young Artists Access Bursaries

Bursaries are available to applicants who meet our criteria.

Please read the details on the application form carefully, which you can download here.

What our participants say...

"I had a whale of a time learning how to compose, and I will always treasure this marvellous experience!"
- participant from Hong Kong, on Young Composers Course 2020 and 2021