Find out about our Advancing Programe
Advancing Programme:
KS4–5 Residential Courses
Designed for musicians in Key Stage 4 and 5 (school years 10–13 plus gap year students), our Advancing Programme (currently known as our Core Programme) offers dynamic and immersive musical experiences. The programme includes a range of residential experiences for both classical and contemporary musicians.
Each residential course has a different specialist focus area that is designed to develop performance confidence, skills, and musicianship.
27th–29th October 2024: Composition-focussed Residential Course
Tutor: Matthew Sergeant
Venue: Lavethan House, Blisland, Cornwall
Course type: This is a fully catered course with 2 nights’ accommodation included
Theme: Digital Worlds: so much music we hear today combines the sounds of acoustic instruments with synthetic sound. Working with composer Matthew Sergeant, students will develop original compositions combining solo (live) piano and electronic soundscapes using specialist synthesisers (which you will learn to use as part of the course).
Find out more about our tutor below:
February 2025: Songwriting-focussed Residential Course
Tutors: Matthew Ker, Ana Silvera, Mark Whitlam, Greg Cordez
Venue: Tawstock Court, nr Barnstaple, Devon
Course type: This is a fully catered course with 2 nights’ accommodation included
Theme: songwriting: students will either join Matthew and Ana to focus on developing their lyrics writing skills or work alongside Mark and Greg to explore the world of songwriting from a band perspective. The course will finish with an informal performance for friends and family.
Find out more about our tutors below:
13th–15th April 2025: Performance-focussed Residential Course
Tutors: Jan Hendrickse, John K Miles, Jon Sterckx
Venue: Millfield School, Street, Somerset
Course type: This is a fully catered course with 2 nights’ accommodation included
Theme: exploring different methods of collaborative composing for mixed ensembles, with a focus on the staging and performance. The course will finish with an informal performance for friends and family.
Find out more about our tutors below:
27th–29th July 2025: Performance-focussed Residential Course
Tutors: Ben Sutcliffe, Zaid Al Rikabi
Venue: Bath Spa University, Bath, Somerset
Course type: This is a fully catered course with 2 nights’ accommodation included
Theme: exploring the world of Latin American music. The course will finish with an informal performance for friends and family.
Find out more about our tutors below:
