Education @ Gorse Hill Studios

Gorse Hill Studios provides informal education programmes for young people, using the arts and music to compliment their formal education as well as their personal and social development.
Gorse Hill Studios works with youth organisations, educational establishments and youth services offering tailor made programmes to suit the requirements of the organisation. Our programmes can be accredited with a nationally recognised qualification called the Arts Award.
Our programmes take place in professional studio spaces that are highly equipped and up to date with modern technology. Our workshops are delivered by experienced youth music leaders and youth arts practitioners. We also invite professional artists to deliver masterclasses and take part in our projects.
We devise youth arts projects that fit the needs of your youth group, working with various timescales, themes, issues, aims and goals. We can use the arts to compliment and enhance the school curriculum.

GORSE HILL STUDIOS IS AN ARTS AWARD WELCOME CENTRE.

The Arts Award is a new scheme that recognises young artists and young arts leaders, celebrating the creative progress made by young people, and not just their artistic skill. The award is run through a pioneering collaboration between Arts Council England and Trinity Guildhall.

Similar to the Duke of Edinburgh award, the Arts Award can be taken by any young person aged 11-25, in both formal and informal settings, at Bronze, Silver or Gold levels, accredited at levels 1, 2 and 3 on the National Qualifications Framework.

The award recognises how young people develop through doing arts activitites that they enjoy. It is about personal challenge, not competition. It’s flexible to fit around other commitments and young people can choose which art forms they want to explore and what they want to achieve.

There are opportunities to go to arts events, meet local artists and visit arts organisations. Young people plan their own programme with guidance from a Gorse Hill Studios Arts Award adviser.

CREATIVE PROGRAMMES

Please find below a selection of projects we can offer. You can pick & mix various artforms and workshops to make up your own project.

Song-writing for singers, vocalists and MCs

This programme will teach young singers and vocalists about the vital elements of song-writing. Participants will learn how to structure their own song using their own lyrics and ideas. They will build a backing track around their song using high quality music production software. They will also learn about performance skills in the vocal booth, basic music production and much much more. At the end of the programme the participants will receive a CD of their own song.

Programme Info:

Duration: 6 weeks
Frequency: 1 workshop/week (2.5h)
Max. number of participants: 6

Makin’ Trax

This programme is aimed at young people who are interested in music production. Participants will gain practical knowledge in music production using professional studio equipment. They will learn how to program a drum beat, record vocals, record instruments, add samples and effects and gain a good understanding of the different processes involved in music production. Participants will produce their own track using their own ideas and they will receive a CD of their track at the end of the programme

Programme Info:

Duration: 6 weeks
Frequency: 1 workshop/week (2.5h)
Max. number of participants: 6

Guitar, Bass and Drums Tuition

This is a beginner’s starter course in any of the above instruments taught by professional musicians in a state of the art fully equipped rehearsal room. The one to one style of the workshop makes it easy to follow and participants usually pick up their instrument in no time.

Programme Info:

Duration: 6 weeks (with option to extend)
Frequency: 2 workshops/week (1h 15m)
Max. number of participants: 2/workshop

Band Development/ Artist Development

This workshop is for existing bands and artists who wish to develop their own profile. Participants will have the opportunity to get advice about their music from professional engineers/producers. They will also learn about self-promotion, developing a fan-base, writing a biography, designing CD covers logos, taking photos, writing press releases and learn about dealing with the media. The programme will utilise all the facilities at Gorse Hill studios and give participants an all round basic knowledge of the music and media industries.
Programme Info:

Duration: 6 weeks
Frequency: 1 workshop/week (2.5h)
Max. number of participants: 6

Visual Arts

Utilise a wide variety of arts practices (our philosophy is learning through the arts). Using the arts as a tool through which the young people will be allowed to explore themselves, their environment and their relationships with others. The accreditation is not based on right or wrong answers to questions but on levels of commitment, insight and depth of self exploration.

Programme Info:

Duration: 6 weeks
Frequency: 1 workshop/week (2.5h)
Max. number of participants: 6

Photography

Participants will develop their creative use of photography in subject matter, image making and final print.Technically it covers 35mm SLR manual control, black and white film processing, photographic, using light, creative exposure techniques, black & white and colour film types, filters, image manipulation, variable contrast papers, darkroom chemicals, colour toning and finishing.

Programme Info:

Duration: 6 weeks
Frequency: 1 workshop/week (2.5h)
Max. number of participants: 6

Film-making

Want to make a documentary or a video diary? Maybe you have an idea for a music video or a short drama sketch. You could even start your own soap opera or create a show reel and have a go at presenting. With our professional filmaking programme the possibilities are endless. Young people gain valuable skills in directing, using the camera, editing, sound, light and learn all those things that budding Spielbergs need to know.

Programme Info:

Duration: 6 weeks
Frequency: 1 workshop/week (2.5h)
Max. number of participants: 6

Creative writing

Got something to say! Want to tell a story or got lyrics bursting to come out? Our creative writing workshop will sharpen your writing skills and get your lyrical magic flowing. Participants will be using various forms of media throughout this programme.

Programme Info:

Duration: 6 weeks
Frequency: 1 workshop/week (2.5h)
Max. number of participants: 6

Performance Skills

This is the workshop to get your own ideas up on stage. This workshop uses physical theatre techniques to explore topics and issues of interest to participants. Hone your skills in devising new work, and challenge your creative boundaries.

Programme Info:

Duration: 6 weeks
Frequency: 1 workshop/week (2.5h)
Max. number of participants: 6

Digital arts

Basic introduction to Photoshop and its endless possibilities. This hands on programme will take place in our state of the arts digital arts studio. Participants will learn a variety of skills and create their own artwork.

Programme Info:

Duration: 6 weeks
Frequency: 1 workshop/week (2.5h)
Max. number of participants: 6

Dance

Devise your own dance routine with some of the grooviest dance moves taught by experienced dancers. This workshop takes place in a mirrored pro-dance studio. Participants will get the opportunity to perform and collaborate with the other workshops and create their own music video.

Programme Info: