Guildhall School of Music & Drama
Songwriting Summer Course
London, United Kingdom
Summer Course
DURATION
5 days
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
TUITION FEES
GBP 625
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* bookings close at 5pm on Friday 3 July 2026 / when the course reaches full capacity
Key Summary
About: This five-day course at Guildhall School of Music & Drama in London teaches songwriting skills and your artistic voice. You'll explore melody, harmony, structure, lyrics, rhythm and arrangement; write, workshop and collaborate on two songs. Lyrical and poetic devices are covered by a creative writing specialist. The course ends with a showcase for friends and family. Bring your instrument (piano/keyboard available) and device capable of recording audio.
Career Outcomes: The course supports pathways into songwriting, composition, lyric writing, music production, performance, arranging and session work. Potential roles include independent artist, songwriter, composer for media, session musician and songwriting collaborator.
About Songwriting Summer Course
This new five-day course will teach you the skills needed to write your own songs and develop your artistic voice. You will explore a broad range of traditional and contemporary songwriting techniques and look at different songwriting components including melody, harmony, structure, lyrics, rhythm and arrangement.
You will write, workshop and collaborate on two original songs. The course will culminate in a showcase open to friends and families where you will get to hear your song performed.
Lyrical and poetic devices will be covered by a specialist in creative writing workshops.
Do I need anything for the course?
- Your instrument (pianos/keyboards can be provided)
- A device capable of recording audio such as a phone with a 'voice notes' app
Bookings for Summer Schools are now closed. Contact us if you are interested to sign up to Guildhall School’s Short Courses mailing list to be the first to hear about new Guildhall Courses
What can I expect?
You can expect to look in detail at all the musical and lyrical elements that make up a song, before working individually and in small groups on a number of creative briefs, designed to strengthen and practise your songwriting skills. There will be an end-of-course performance with musicians performing your songs.
During this course you will:
- Analyse and interpret the music and lyrics of songs to help develop critical listening and technical vocabulary
- Develop your musical and lyrical techniques of songwriting across a range of styles and genres
- Explore how to establish a distinctive music identity or personal creative voice
- Create a friendly songwriting community and share songs with each other for feedback
Who is the course for?
Anyone aged 16 and over, with an interest in songwriting.
While the course is suitable for beginners and is very much an introduction to songwriting, we recommend that participants are able to play an instrument or sing to a reasonable level and/or have a basic understanding of music theory (i.e. notes chords & keys)
Please contact us if you would like any advice on whether this course might be suitable for you.
Course Dates & Times
- Monday 27 – Friday 31 July 2026
- 10am–4.30pm