Songwriters Academy
... with Charlie Dore
This course is aimed at aspiring or practising songwriters. While aimed particularly at those who wish to see their songs covered by commercial artists, the course will also be of interest to singer-songwriters writing primarily for themselves.
Led by acclaimed songwriter Charlie Dore, whose songs have been recorded by such diverse artists as Celine Dion, Tina Turner, George Harrison and Status Quo, the course is very much about the ‘real life’ of a practising songwriter. It will cover such issues as: how to write for a brief, how to get inspired and overcome songwriter’s block, and how to pitch your songs. Students will be encouraged to work in partnerships. Business aspects will be covered, with talks given by representatives from a publishing company and record label.
Visiting lecturers will include legendary songwriter Terry Britten, who wrote the hits "What's Love Got To Do With It" and "We Don't Need Another Hero" for Tina Turner, as well as songs for Michael Jackson, Bonnie Raitt, Lenny Kravitz, Cliff Richard and Celine Dion. And also Ricky Ross of UK chart-toppers Deacon Blue. In addition to the hits "Chocolate Girl", "A Ship Called Dignity" and "Real Gone Kid" for his ow band, Rick has written for Will Young, James Blunt, KT Tunstall and Jamie Cullum. He currently presents Another Country with Ricky Ross on BBC Radio Scotland.
The course will be run as a version of a professional 'songwriting camp', but with additional input, feedback and guidance from industry professionals. Students will be presented with varied song briefs throughout the course and will be expected to come up with several ideas while working with different teams over the 5 days or evenings of the course. For the last writing day (Day 4, Saturday 24th March) we will ask six or seven songwriters to take the role of a signed artist within their team and lead the song in their chosen direction.
Over the duration of the course the students will write in four different teams, as pairs and threes, working each time to a different brief. For the final day, those students happy to perform will select two of the four songs or sections of songs to be performed for the rest of the group.
ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Some musical knowledge and ability is a pre-requisite for joining the course. Songs written – alone or in partnership – will be performed to the class at various points during the course, and therefore students should have the ability to perform as singer or accompanist (a piano is available) or to record onto a laptop. Students will be encouraged to bring their preferred writing instruments along.
COURSE DATES:
Saturday and Sunday, 17/18th March; Tuesday 20th March (evening); Saturday 24th March; Tuesday 27th March (evening).
COST:
£630 (inclusive of VAT) including participation in the intensive writing day. For students in accredited full-time education, £540 (inclusive of VAT).
LOCATION: Faber Music Ltd, Bloomsbury House, 74/77 Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DA
APPLICATION PROCEDURE: In order to apply, please print out and fill in the attached PDF application form and send it, together with at least one example of your music (on CD, DVD or a downloadable file) to:
Richard Paine
Faber Music Ltd
Bloomsbury House
74/77 Great Russell Street
London WC1B 3DA
Packages should be marked ‘Songwriters Academy’
Alternatively, electronic submissions may be sent to: Media@Fabermusic.com, with ‘Songwriters Academy’ in the subject line. If sending multiple files, please group these into one downloadable folder.
Applications must be received by 24st February 2012.
You will be notified as to whether you have been admitted onto the course by 15th February.
CHARLIE DORE: Charlie Dore is one of Britain’s most respected singer-songwriters and has also had a diverse career as an actress and comedian. Her songs have been recorded by a diverse range of artists, including Celine Dion, Tina Turner, George Harrison, Paul Carrack, Ricky Ross, Lisa Stansfield, Hayley Westenra, Status Quo, Worlds Apart and Jimmy Nail, for whom she wrote 'Ain't No Doubt', a UK no.1. Charlie currently performs with her band The Hula Valley Orchestra.