/ Short Courses /
Start date:
July 2025
Places:
Places are awarded on a "first paid first serve" basis due to demand.
Cost / delivery:
£745 / on-campus
5 days (14 - 18 July)
Join artist Theo Williams for an energising five-day summer school focused on the craft of songwriting and the art of performance.
This immersive course invites you to explore your unique voice, both lyrically and vocally, develop original material, and perform with authenticity and confidence. Whether you're a bedroom songwriter or emerging performer, this summer school offers a structured yet playful space to write, collaborate, and grow as an artist.
Throughout the week, Theo Williams will guide you through songwriting techniques, melody and lyric development, vocal coaching, and live performance skills. The course culminates in a supportive showcase event where you will share your work-in-progress or completed songs with peers and invited guests.
Intended audience
This course is ideal for aspiring or emerging singer-songwriters, musicians, and performers aged 18+ who want to hone their craft and connect with like-minded creatives.
No formal training required - just curiosity, openness, and a desire to create.
Course overview
- To develop your songwriting skills through daily creative exercises
- To explore personal voice, identity, and storytelling in music
- To build performance confidence and stage presence
- To create a collaborative and experimental community of musicians and writers
- To finish the week with at least one original song and a live or recorded performance
Day 1 – Monday: Finding your voice
- Morning: welcome, group introductions, warm-up games, and listening sessions
- Afternoon: lyric-writing prompts and melody generation
- Evening (optional): open mic / jam session
Day 2 – Tuesday: Storytelling through song
- Morning: narrative and emotion in songwriting
- Afternoon: group writing challenges and one-on-one sessions with Theo
- Evening: song-sharing circle
Day 3 – Wednesday: Melody, rhythm, and harmony
- Morning: vocal workshopping, experimenting with tempo and structure
- Afternoon: collaborations and feedback on works-in-progress
- Evening (optional): rehearsal or sound experiment lab
Day 4 – Thursday: Rehearsal and Refinement
- Morning: studio time or supported solo writing
- Afternoon: performance coaching and peer feedback
- Evening: showcase rehearsal
Day 5 – Friday: The Showcase
- Morning: final edits and soundcheck
- Afternoon: Creative Songwriting Showcase – an informal performance of songs in a celebratory setting (open to friends, family, and invited guests)
- Closing Circle: reflections, next steps, and feedback
