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Creative Music Making is designed to support all musicians from a wide range of musical backgrounds to develop as performers and as musical collaborators.

We particularly encourage music makers from backgrounds in electronic music, such as DJs, and non-pitched, such as Samba and Djembe musicians. As long as you are collaborating and making music with others, this programme is suitable for you.

Find out more about out past CMM students and their musical background here or see below some examples of how different types of musician might benefit.

The Choral Singer

the choral singer

Sings in an amateur choir that rehearses weekly and performs 3 or 4 times a year

This course can help you to…

  • learn vocal parts quickly and effectively
  • use practice time as efficiently as possible and prepare really well for rehearsals
  • improve general musicianship, in particular sense of pitch, rhythm, and sight-singing
  • understand the principles behind musical communication with others in the choir
  • experiment with, for example, improvisation, memorisation, arranging and musical analysis, in order to enhance your musical appreciation and performance
  • research a wider range of singing styles and repertoire
  • consider new audiences you may wish to perform to and how to reach them

During the Residential Learning Week, you will…

  • take part in a specially curated workshop programme that develops your general musicianship, communication and performance skills
  • work alongside our world-renowned tutor team in an inclusive, inspiring and welcoming learning environment
  • further develop your voice, ear and performance skills
  • benefit from one-to-one/individual development sessions with the Programme Leader, Careers Adviser and others
  • have new musical experiences, extend your repertoire and meet new people
  • make friends, share ideas for your personal project and gain support
  • enjoy the beautiful surroundings of the historic Old Royal Naval College and the vibrant village of Greenwich

For your final project you might…

  • Outcomes of the programme for you might be… form a vocal quartet with friends, choose and rehearse repertoire and perform for your family
  • take a leadership role in your choral society, extend its repertoire or stage a concert in a different setting
  • prepare, rehearse and record a work for solo voice and piano

Outcomes of the programme for you might be…

  • deeper knowledge, understanding and appreciation of musicianship, musical styles and techniques, enhancing your enjoyment of singing, listening to music and going to concerts
  • greater musical confidence, supporting you to try new things
  • greater sense of security when singing in your choir, allowing you tackle more challenging roles or repertoire
  • deeper understanding of ways in which you can engage more with your audience and find new ways of utilizing your skills within your community

The Folk Violinist

the folk violinist

Self-taught, plays at home for enjoyment, attends local folk sessions to play with others

This course will enable you to…

  • understand how to learn new tunes quickly and get the most out of personal practice time
  • improve general musicianship, such as sense of pitch, rhythm and playing by ear
  • understand the principles behind communicating well with other players in a group
  • experiment with different approaches to improvisation, memorisation, arranging and composition to bring new creative ideas to your playing
  • research new repertoire and extend your knowledge of folk traditions
  • understand ways in which to attract others to folk music, or create and publicise new performance opportunities
  • think about ways you can engage more with your audience and find new ways of utilizing your skills within the community

During the Residential Learning Week, you will…

  • take part in a specially curated workshop programme that develops your general musicianship, communication and performance skills
  • work alongside our world-renowned tutor team in an inclusive, inspiring and welcoming learning environment
  • collaborate with other musicians, from similar and differing traditions, in an ensemble
  • benefit from one-to-one/individual development sessions with the Programme Leader, Careers Adviser and others
  • have new musical experiences, extend your repertoire and meet new people
  • make friends, share ideas for your personal project and gain support from others
  • enjoy the beautiful surroundings of the historic Old Royal Naval College and the vibrant village of Greenwich

For your final project, you might…

  • learn and record new repertoire, perhaps from a particular tradition or with a theme
  • organise and rehearse a folk music assembly in a local school, with friends
  • form a new ensemble, and stage your first performance

 Outcomes of the programme for you might be…

  • improved knowledge and understanding of folk music traditions and performance styles
  • creative inspiration from musicians working in a wide range of genres and disciplines
  • greater musical confidence, supporting you to try new things and enhancing your enjoyment of playing with others
  • improved musical skills to contribute within an ensemble, allowing you to take on new roles or repertoire
  • deeper understanding of ways in which you can engage more with your audience and find new ways of utilizing your skills within your community

The Woodwind Player

the woodwind player

Plays in a local amateur orchestra, teaches privately and occasionally performs with a pianist

This course will you help you to…

  • use practice time effectively and support your pupils to use their practice time well
  • further develop your overall musicianship, including your sense of pitch, rhythm and sight-reading skills
  • use improvisation, memorisation and interpretation techniques to develop your performance style
  • prepare really well for rehearsals, and plan rehearsals effectively
  • develop arrangements, rhythm tracks or improvisation activities to use in your teaching
  • create, plan, research and promote performance opportunities

During the Residential Learning Week, you will…

  • take part in a specially curated workshop programme that develops your general musicianship, communication and performance skills
  • work alongside our world-renowned tutor team in an inclusive, inspiring and welcoming learning environment
  • put skills into practice in a chamber music group or creative ensemble
  • have the chance to develop your confidence and skills with music technology
  • benefit from one-to-one/individual development sessions with the Programme Leader, Careers Adviser and others
  • have new musical experiences, extend your repertoire and meet new people
  • make friends, share ideas for your personal project and gain support from others
  • enjoy the beautiful surroundings of the historic Old Royal Naval College and the vibrant village of Greenwich

For your final project you could, for example…

  • revisit, rehearse and record a favourite piece of repertoire
  • find other like-minded musicians and start a new ensemble
  • stage a concert with your pupils, including a new arrangement, by you

Outcomes for you might be…

  • the opportunity to reflect on your personal musical interests and come up with ideas for new projects
  • enhanced performance as a soloist and ensemble member, allowing you take on new challenges and opportunities
  • deeper knowledge and understanding of musical practice, rehearsal and creativity, to apply to your own performance and teaching
  • deeper understanding of ways in which you can engage more with your audience and find new ways of utilizing your skills within your community

The Semi-Professional Guitarist

The semi-professional guitarist

Plays in a band and writes songs at home

This course will you help you to…

  • use practice time well, prepare for rehearsals and plan rehearsals effectively
  • further develop your overall musicianship, including your sense of pitch, rhythm and sight-reading skills
  • use improvisation, memorisation and creative techniques to develop your performance style
  • research and learn from inspirational artists, from a range of genres and disciplines
  • develop your arranging skills and creative use of music technology
  • consider audiences and how to develop a following for your music
  • think about ways in which you can engage more with your audience and find new ways of utilizing your skills within the community

During the Residential Learning Week, you will…

  • take part in a specially curated workshop programme that develops your general musicianship, communication and performance skills
  • work alongside our world-renowned tutor team in an inclusive, inspiring and welcoming learning environment
  • strengthen your singing skills and confidence
  • benefit from one-to-one/individual development sessions with the Programme Leader, Careers Adviser and others
  • share your musical ideas and put rehearsal skills into practice by forming an ensemble with others
  • make friends, share ideas for your personal project and gain support from others
  • enjoy the beautiful surroundings of the historic Old Royal Naval College and the vibrant village of Greenwich

For your final project you could, for example…

  • write, rehearse and record three songs, and share these with others via social media
  • take a leadership role in your band, introducing new repertoire and staging a gig in a new venue
  • create an audience development plan to build a following for you or your band
  • start a new ‘Guitar Club’ for young people, at a local community centre

Outcomes for you might be…

  • a clearer sense of artistic identity, with new drive and ideas for the future
  • a deeper understanding of how to make music creatively and effectively with others, which you share by setting up new projects or ensembles
  • the potential to increase performance opportunities for yourself and your band
  • deeper understanding of ways in which you can engage more with your audience and find new ways of utilising your skills within your community