ALUMNI TESTIMONIALS 

Polly Mortimer

Instruments: Voice, Piano, Recorder and Melodica

Genres: Folk, World Music, Klezmer

Groups: North London Voices Choirs, Amateur Operas and Sings at Weddings

“I am an avid music-maker, but have never had any professional training. I just love doing it. CPMM has been brilliant! It has given me ideas, structure, support, new challenges and a very friendly online community of staff and students. The residential was out of this world! Exhausting but exhilarating!

I would encourage anyone thinking of signing up to CPMM to do it immediately! ”

Mary Sutherland

Instruments: Flute, Saxophone, Samba Band

Genres: Jazz and World Music

Groups: Amateur Chamber Orchestra, South London Jazz Orchestra, Swing Band.

“I am an amateur instrumental musician of many years’ experience. The CPMM programme appealed to me as I have never come across one which focuses purely on all the wider aspects of what is integral to a being a good musician. Having reached my 70s, I was unsure whether I could undertake the programme (my first return to studying since at university). I need not have worried: the material is clearly and engagingly presented, and at a manageable pace. It covers all genres of music, leading me to explore some unfamiliar works, performers and concepts.

The opportunity to meet and perform with fellow students, our tutors, and some new tutors too on the residential course was particularly interesting and rewarding, though the online forums worked very well too. I have continued most of my music-making while on the Course. Indeed some elements were essential to the programme.

Passing the programme (and with merit!) has meant a very great deal to me, and I feel much more self-assured both personally and as a musician. I thoroughly recommend CPMM to any musician: professional or amateur – and of any age too. The area that was beyond my comfort zone a year ago is now a lot more comfortable!”