song writing

Three song writing weekends in London with Julian Marshall - Summer 2009

To book for any of these weekends email or call Gabriele Faja

gfaja@biaerbeckandholmes.com  tel 07830 301 396

June 6 /7. Venue: Essex Church Library, Palace Gdns Terrace, W8.

Course tutor: Julian Marshall. Cost: £120 (discount £25!) Maximum class number: 12

The art of good song writing from scratch – a weekend course for all those interested in learning and developing song writing and performance skills.

During this weekend you will:

Discuss melody writing, chords and how to use harmony effectively, lyric writing, song structure, arrangement and form and how best to combine these elements to write a strong song.

Listen to and analyse a song.

Develop your listening skills

Write and perform a song

There will be plenty of opportunity for feedback and advice.

Maximum class number is twelve.

Requirements;

To be able to have your songs heard in class – either live or pre-recorded (You can also attend the class as a duo or small group). Bring a willingness to sing in class (even if you don’t think you like the idea!), have basic instrumental skills on an instrument (probably Piano or Guitar) or come along with someone who does.

June 27/28. Venue: Essex Church Library, Palace Gdns Terrace, W 8. Course tutor: Julian Marshall. Cost: £120 (discount £25!) Maximum class number: 12

Improving your song writing and performance skills – a weekend course for those already engaged in the art of song writing.

During this course you will:

Further develop the unique qualities that you already have as a song writer and /or performer.

Increase your technical and theoretical knowledge and skills.

Be coached in how to develop a powerful personal practise that will enable you to put what you learn to maximum effect.

July 4/5. Venue: Essex Church Library, Palace Gardens Terrace, W 8

Course tutor: Julian Marshall. Cost: £120 (discount £25!) Maximum class number: 12

Song writing with skill, passion and purpose!

This weekend course is open to all songwriters and performers working toward or already at a professional standard. You may have already embarked upon or be seriously contemplating a career as a song-writer/performer.

The purpose of the course is twofold:

1. To fully identify, clarify and develop those aspects of your work that make you unique as a creative artist and

2. To identify and clarify the specific skills you need to develop in order to truly maximise your potential.

We welcome all styles of acoustic-based song writing – from new folk to new lieder via new rock!

I intend for you to leave the weekend not only with a renewed sense of vision and purpose but also with a clearer idea of actually how this may be fulfilled.

These days, the opportunities for songwriters and performers are many – but the traffic is very heavy out there! In order to establish yourself in a credible way, I say you need to bring critical practises and awareness to your writing and playing as never before. This course is designed to do just that.

How the weekend will go

The format is very simple: Day 1 is essentially a master-class. You bring 1 song and play it to the group. I give you feedback on all aspects of your performance – from the specific musical elements to more general performance comments. We will also discuss your musical goals and aspirations. As this process continues with all participants, you will glean a great deal about your musical self – your unique attributes as well as where there is work to do!

During the process of days 1 and 2 we will discuss many of the specific song writing elements (or distinctions) – melody, harmony and structure, rhythm, arrangement, hooks, production, congruence, style, etc

Sunday is essentially a development of Saturday. You bring a second song and we repeat the process but in more specific detail.

The weekend completes with each person creating a personal plan – a sheet of dreams, practises and goals.

Julian will be adding more weekends and courses from September 2009 onwards.

Some nice things said about Julian:

“Thanks again for the rollercoaster you've taken me on! You could have saved me 40 years of trying to do the wrong thing”.

Coaching client 2007

“Julian Marshall is your song writing tutor from heaven. He is a brilliant musician and brings that skill generously to whatever your project is. He is able to tune into where you are and help you move forward from there. He is fun and funny and wise. Most importantly of all he genuinely loves people, and he genuinely wants and is able to support you to express what is in you. I couldn’t have wished for a more wonderful teacher and coach. With his help I am making music which expresses my heart and is loved by others.”

Student 2007

Educated at Dartington Hall School and The Royal College of Music, Julian Marshall is known internationally as co-creator (with Kit Hain) of the 70’s group ‘Marshall Hain’ - known especially for their massively successful international hit ‘Dancing in the City’ in the late 70’s. He was also a member of ‘The Flying Lizards’ – who scored a top 5 hit with ‘Money’ in 1979.

In the 80’s he formed the group ‘Eye to Eye’ with American song writer and performer Deborah Berg - recording two classic albums for Warner Brothers produced by ‘Steely Dan’ producer Gary Katz and a latter day third album produced by ‘Roxy Music’ producer Rhett Davies..

He has been a senior A&R man for Polydor Records, has produced records and played as a session musician on both sides of the Atlantic. He has also enjoyed many years running his own highly successful teaching practice as well as teaching and lecturing in music at Dartington College of Arts, Plymouth University and elsewhere. He also mentors students who demonstrate outstanding song writing talent – recently including the rising star Cosmo Jarvis. He runs courses on song writing, organises concerts and events and teaches song writing at the Dartington International Summer School.

In 2008 Julian created ‘Songsmiths’ - a partnership between Goldsmith’s College and The Kids’ Company charity – where undergraduate song writer volunteers from Goldsmith’s College teach song writing and performance skills to Kids Company clients – for more information about The Kid’s Company, please visit www.kidsco.org.uk

Returning to his classical routes, composition, which has been a constant throughout his career, now assumes a central position in his creative life.

Julian’s composer credits include, (as well as the many songs for above named bands), the score for Orion pictures film ‘Old Enough’ (directed by Marissa Silver); ‘The Clock of the Long Now’ (with text by poet Rose Cook) for Plymouth Symphony Orchestra and several combined school choirs; the score for the film ‘Still Life’ (directed by Emma George); Music for ‘Shaping the Invisible’ (improvised performance with theatre maker and performer Emma Roberts). Julian has several works in progress. A premier for his next work ‘Love Songs’ is being planned for 2010.

Julian is married to Arabella Marshall. They have two children – Gabriel and Solomon.