Voice Jam – Oct 24th – 27th 2023

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Want to record in a professional studio?

If you are of secondary school age, and music is what you like best – listening to it, singing along and downloading the latest releases – then it’s time to take that passion a step further and have a go at singing in a group in a recording studio.

Here’s a chance for young singers age 11-18 to rehearse and record in Hackney’s premier music studios! Free of charge!

All we ask of you is four hours a day (2.30 – 6.30pm) for three days (24– 26 October) to rehearse and record two songs with Voice Jams leader and recording artist Clive Brown. On the fourth day, 27 October you will be in the recording studio from 11am – 3pm followed by a track release party with food and drinks and a chance to sing some more with mics and a sound system!

It’s a great way to figure out if singing and recording professionally is what you want to pursue.

Lots of today’s top stars record and rehearse here AND, lots of them got their first singing experience in choirs. You could be next!

No experience necessary, but a love of singing and performing is desirable.

And best of all, it’s all free!

Sign up here. Parent or guardian permission essential.

For more info:
michele@premiseseducation.org

Yolanda Charles – Masterclass in Musicianship for Rhythm Sections – 19th August 2023

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On Saturday 19th August, we’ve got an intensive one-day Masterclass by bass player extraordinaire Yolanda Charles MBE, focusing on musical development for bass and drum players.

Yolanda, who has played and/or toured with Robbie Williams, Paul Weller, Squeeze and Hans Zimmer amongst others, will help those who play or want to play rhythm professionally, to develop a nuanced approach to style, influence, feel and groove. 

This is not suitable for beginners, but aimed towards drummers and bass players at levels intermediate and above, who have some experience playing their instrument within a band or group setting.

If you are in a band and want to come as a pair (bass and drums), that would be even better!

Or if you are a drummer or bass player seeking intensive practice with another bass player or drummer, then this is for you. Come on and feel the groove.

 Early Bird price of £95

More information here: michele@premiseseducation.org

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25th Annual Summer Piano Week – 1st – 5th August 2023

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We’re back with another legendary Piano Week, running from 1-5th August 2023.

Immerse yourself in four days of intensive tuition in jazz, blues, funk and Latin style piano, with modules on improvisation, rhythm, harmony and modal jazz. Followed by a fifth day in Studio A, recording your own trio track (you on a grand piano that was played here by Nina Simone!) with a pro rhythm section. 

The tutors will be Nikki Yeoh, Tim Richards, and John Crawford with a fourth tutor TBC. Each teaching day will have a theme or several themes, and the students will be divided into two groups, swapping over after lunch break. 

On the recording day, you’ll be working with drummer Mark Mondesir and bassist Dominic Howles and with Nikki as musical director, you can’t go wrong.

The cost for the whole course is £395 for five days, all tuition and recording included, plus full band rehearsal on day 4.

You will come away with a lot more knowledge and a state-of-the-art recording of your piece. Please note that the pieces are from a selection of jazz, blues or Latin standards and not original compositions. 

This course is not for beginners. You should know your way around scales and reading music, but we can make some exceptions for those who play very well by ear.

Places are strictly limited to 12! For an application, email: michele@premiseseducation.org

Backing Vocals course: July 20th, 21st, 22nd with Lurine Cato MBE – SOLD OUT!

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Are you a good singer who’d like to get work with a performing band, or a good singer who’d like to explore the possibility of Backing Vocals? 
If so, then we’ve got you sorted with one of the most in-demand Session Vocalists, Lurine Cato MBE, teaching this course here.

Backing Vocals is not just about wearing matching outfits, moving from side to side and repeating the lead line in synch. 
Backing Vocals (BV’s) are the backbone of any live act and essential in supporting and expanding the sound of the lead singer.

We’re very lucky to have Lurine Cato leading a three-day workshop covering all aspects of being a great Backing Vocalist. 
Lurine will take you step-by-step to help reveal the level you need to be to get the gigs, as well as all the technical aspects of being a great BV which will give you that crucial edge in auditions. 
She’s been there, done that and signed the t-shirts, having been a Backing Vocalist for Adele, Elton John, Andre Bocelli, Mary J Blige. Kylie Minogue and many more, with over 25 years’ experience in the business.

If you are a good singer, or know a good singer who always fancied having a crack at this, do sign up for our early bird price of £195 for three days. 

The course runs from the 20th-22 of July. Work friendly hours! (SEE BELOW)

Thursday July 20th: 7pm-11pm.

Friday July 21st: 7pm – 11pm.

Saturday July 22nd: 11am – 4pm

For more info: michele@premiseseducation.org

Art of Arranging Course: 25th March, and 1-2 April, with Janette Mason

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Have you written a good song and want to learn how to arrange it for a band and record it in a studio? We started this course last year with Janette Mason– composer, pianist, arranger, recording artist and touring musician with the likes of Oasis, Seal, kd lang and Robert Wyatt, and it proved to be hugely popular. If you want to learn the mechanics and artistry of arranging your song for different instruments, which includes considering form, harmony, style, texture and working with and directing musicians in the band, then Janette will put your through your paces with the view to recording your song with Janette on piano, Tom Mason on bass and Simon Lee on drums. There will also be a session devoted to getting the most out of your vocals. This course is suitable for those who can sing and have some knowledge of the principles of song writing. You don’t have to be able to read music but it helps if you know how to work with a click track and can sing the top line of your song. Places are strictly limited and partially based on the sample of the track you submit for arranging.

If all this sounds daunting, know that you are in expert hands and Janette is there to help you build your song every step of the way. Some feedback from happy participants from last year’s course: 

“I enjoyed every moment of the course. It was invaluable to work with professional musicians and have their input. I would 100% recommend this course to anyone who wants to learn arranging and improve song writing.” – Sofia

“A great overall experience and the course helped to inspire me to believe in the power of song. I was not able to read or write music but I was still able to learn how to arrange and get my ideas across to the band and I am really happy with the result.” – Sean

“I learnt so much in such a short time and this has really motivated me to think about music as a profession. The support was fantastic, not only from Janette and the band but from the other people on the course. I listened to my song with a fresh approach and I am really happy with the result.” – Stephanie 

Full price for the course, including vocal coaching and master recording, is £345.  To book or more info: michele@premiseseducation.org

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Rhythm Section Masterclass for electric bass players and drummers: 11th Feb with Yolanda Charles MBE

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What is the role of the rhythm section within a band? Are you a bass player looking to work with a drummer or a drummer looking to work with a bass player to hone your musicianship skills? If you aim to be a top-level session musician or just get better at what you already do, this One-Day Masterclass for bass players and drummers, led by in-demand bass player and teacher Yolanda Charles, MBE, will provide lots of practical exercises as well theory to help you move up to the next level of live and recording work.

This course is aimed at intermediate players and those above, and will cover groove analysis, listening skills, arranging, dynamics, solo arranging and composing and music industry advice.

Yolanda has had over 30 years’ experience playing bass professionally for Robbie Williams, Mick Jagger, Hans Zimmer, Paul Weller, Dave Stewart and many more.

If you want to up your skills, practice, and learn the subtler tricks of the trade, sign up for this one-day masterclass on 11th of February from 10 am -4pm at an Early Bird price of £75.

Places are strictly limited to 10, but we can put you on a waiting list if places are full.  We aim to get a balanced mixture of drummers and bass players so if you already play together, you can both sign up.

For more info: michele@premiseseducation.org