Guildhall School of Music & Drama

Get Backstage Get Backstage introduces young people in year 11 and 12 to the degrees and careers available backstage in theatres and screen.

Get Backstage applications are now OPEN 🎭

This free, award-winning programme runs from 7-10 April and is designed for Year 11 and 12 students wanting to discover more about Production Arts and the careers available in the industry.

Find out more ⤵️
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Announcing Easter Short Courses and Summer Schools for 2026 Our programme of Easter Short Courses and Summer Schools covers a wide range of topics across music, drama, production arts, writing and more.

Make 2026 a year to remember with our Short Courses and Summer Schools ✨

Our Easter Short Courses & Summer Schools are now open for public booking. Whether you're a passionate beginner, aspiring artist or looking to build on existing skills, we've got something for everyone!

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We’re thrilled to announce Sitali Dewan as the 2025/26 Conductor in Residence for the London Schools Symphony Orchestra.

Sitali is the fourth conductor to take up the residency, which launched in 2022 to support young musicians from historically under-represented backgrounds.

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What's On Events coming up at Guildhall, from classical and jazz concerts to fully staged productions created by our Opera, Drama and Production Arts departments.

We're here with our FREE events round up with some great concerts coming up this week.

🎹 Keyboard at Six - 25 Sept, 6pm
🎻 Strings at Eight - 25 Sept, 8pm
🎶 Composition and Keyboard Induction Concert - 26 Sept, 4pm

See what else is on ⬇️
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In conversation with Tom Machell, Improvisation Course Tutor The award-winning actor and writer tells us what to expect on the upcoming autumn evening course.

Ahead of our Autumn Short Courses starting, we caught up with actor and writer Tom Machell to hear more about Improvisation: Level 1.

Whether you're a complete beginner or exploring improvisation, Tom tells us how the course unlocks creativity and builds confidence.

Read more 👇
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Reflecting on Summer Schools 2025 Looking back at our biggest programme of Summer Schools to date.

☀️ With Summer Schools now over, we’re looking back on an incredible five weeks of creativity, exploration and talent.

Welcoming over 830 participants from 43 different countries, it’s been our biggest programme of Summer Schools yet 🎉

Read more about 2025 Summer School ⤵️
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🎭 There's still time to sign up for some of our Guildhall Young Artists centres in King's Cross, Norwich, Taunton and Online, starting in September 2025.

Guildhall Young Artists provides performing and production arts training for ages 4-18.

Find out more ⤵️
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Guildhall Symphony Orchestra & Chorus Internationally acclaimed conductor Daniela Candillari conducts a thrilling evening at Barbican Hall, culminating in Puccini’s powerful 'Messa di Gloria'.

Just one month until Guildhall Symphony Orchestra & Chorus light up Barbican Hall with Daniela Candillari 🎶

Making her debut with the orchestra, she leads a programme of:

✨ Alumna Dobrinka Tabakova's Orpheus’ Comet,
☀️ Mendelssohn’s Italian Symphony
🎭 Puccini’s Messa di Gloria.

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LSSO Conductor in Residence Ammal Bhatia reflects on his year in the role Ahead of his final concert with we sat down with 2024/25 LSSO Conductor in Residence, Ammal Bhatia to hear more about his time in the role and how it's changed him as a conductor and as a musician.

With applications open for the 2025/26 LSSO Conductor in Residence, we sat down with 2024/25 conductor Ammal Bhatia to hear more about his time in the role.

The scheme is run in partnership with Guildhall Young Artists and Black Lives in Music.

Read more ⤵️
www.gsmd.ac.uk/about-guildh...

London Schools Symphony Orchestra London’s youth orchestra returns to the Barbican following its summer tour of Yorkshire and Birmingham, with a programme including Sibelius' 'Finlandia' and Shostakovich's Fifth Symphony.

🎼 Off the back of their Yorkshire and Birmingham tour, London Schools Symphony Orchestra are returning to Barbican Hall next month with an exciting programme featuring Lyadov's The Enchanted Lake, Shostakovich's Symphony No. 5 and more.

📆 15 September, 7.30pm
🎟️ Tickets from £10

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What next after short courses in writing? Rianne chats about her experience on our writing short courses.

With an ambition of working in television and film, Rianne's been developing her writing skills through our Writing for Screen: Level 1 and Level 2 Short Courses.

Read how Rianne found her experience, having her work performed by actors and what's next for her👇

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Guildhall vocal alumnus Nicky Spence champions £50,000 scholarship to support rising talent The Nicky Spence Scholarship for Vocal Studies students will be offered to singers who have been educated at a UK state school and would not otherwise have the financial means to accept an offer to st...

We're delighted to announce the Nicky Spence Scholarship for Vocal Studies students.

A remarkable £50,000 has been raised, thanks to generosity of a number of donors - brought together through the drive and passion alumnus Nicky Spence OBE.

Read more ⤵️
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Summer Arts Camp Across five exciting days, participants will experiment with movement, sound, storytelling, drawing and visual design, working with professional artists to transform everyday spaces into sites of crea...

Looking for summer plans for your children? ☀️

We have a small number of spaces remaining on our Summer Arts Camp for ages 9-11, starting on Monday 11 August. It's perfect for those interested in performance, music, movement, drawing and storytelling.

Find out more ⤵️
www.gsmd.ac.uk/study-with-g...

In Conversation with Kryštof Kohout, winner of the 2025 Guildhall Wigmore Recital Prize Violinist Kryštof Kohout, winner of the 2025 Guildhall Wigmore Recital Prize, speaks to us about his artistic inspirations, the music that moves him, and the role Guildhall has played in shaping his j...

This Sunday, violinist Kryštof Kohout will be taking to the Wigmore Hall stage. Hear as he tells us about Czech inspired programme, the story behind his choices and how Guildhall has helped shape his artistic direction.

Read more ⤵️
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Student success after studying at Guildhall Young Artists Taunton Celebrating Celly and Becca as they finish their time at Guildhall Young Artists (GYA) Taunton and secure exciting university places!

From Guildhall Young Artists to university 🚀🎓

We’re celebrating two brilliant GYA Taunton students today, Becca and Celly, who are off to uni this September to continue their studies in performing arts.

Huge well done to both, we can't wait to see what you achieve!

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GYA and Black Lives in Music open applications for the 2025/26 LSSO Conductor in Residence Guildhall Young Artists and Black Lives in Music have opened applications for a young conductor to be resident with the London Schools Symphony Orchestra for a year.

Want to be the next LSSO Conductor in Residence?

Guildhall Young Artists and Black Lives in Music are coming together once again to open applications for the London Schools Symphony Orchestra Conductor in Residence 2025/26.

Find out more ⬇️
www.gsmd.ac.uk/about-guildh...

A young boy holding a microphone singing in front of a young boy playing the drums

3 children sat on the floor next to a woman playing the oboe

A young girl sat cross legged on the floor smiling in a class

Two teenagers playing the double bass and cello in a class

Thanks to the incredible generosity of our donors, our Big Give Guildhall Young Artists Appeal has raised £23,035 - 115% of our target! 🎉
This amazing result means we can offer even more bursaries to children and young people, opening doors to opportunities they might not otherwise have.

Say hello to our bold new 2026 Prospectus! 🎨


It celebrates the creativity and craft at the heart of our students’ work, with illustrations by The Project Twins, inspired by the mid-century roots of our Barbican home.

Take a peek inside ⤵️
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Huge congratulations to alumnus Adrian Dunbar who will receive Freedom of the City of London for his work in the arts 👏

Adrian, alongside actor Cate Blanchett, will be awarded the Freedom at an upcoming ceremony.

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Huge congratulations to Wind, Brass & Percussion alumna, Ruby Collins on being appointed Sub-Principal Bassoon in the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra 🎉 👏

Thanks to your amazing support, our Guildhall Young Artists' Appeal has already hit 89% 🥳

With five days left to reach our target - we still need your support! Every £1 you donate will be matched, thanks to
@biggive.bsky.social, doubling the impact.

Find out more and donate ⤵️
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Guildhall Young Artists Bursaries – Big Give Guildhall Young Artists bursaries for 20 children from economically disadvantaged backgrounds to access conservatoire-quality music and drama classes. These classes …

Our Guildhall Young Artists Bursaries Appeal is now LIVE! 🌟

From 24 June – 7 July we’re raising £20,000 to fund 20 bursaries. Plus, thanks to Big Give, every £1 you donate will be matched, doubling the impact of your donation.

Find out more and donate ⤵️
bit.ly/4dV1nKW

Guildhall Young Artists Bursaries – Big Give Guildhall Young Artists bursaries for 20 children from economically disadvantaged backgrounds to access conservatoire-quality music and drama classes. These classes …

Ready to change some lives?

From 24 June – 7 July, we’re aiming to raise £20,000 to support 20 children from disadvantaged backgrounds to access our Guildhall Young Artists programmes.

Every £1 you give will be doubled thanks to the Big Give Anchor Fund meaning double the impact.

bit.ly/4dV1nKW

Samantha Malk appointed Head of Vocal Studies Guildhall School announces the appointment of Samantha Malk as Head of Vocal Studies.

We are delighted to announce the appointment of Samantha Malk as Head of Vocal Studies.

Samantha joined the School in 2018 as Deputy Head of Vocal Studies. As a mezzo soprano, Samantha performed on opera and concert stages throughout the world.

Read more ⤵️
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GradEx 2025 opens with a celebration of Guildhall students and staff GradEx opens to the public as part of Making It Festival 2025, showcasing the outstanding work of final-year Production Arts students.

Last week, our Production Arts Graduate Exhibition opened with a celebration of students and staff.

Industry professionals were introduced to final-year students across Production Arts programmes, before awards were presented in Silk Street Theatre.

Read more ⤵️
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🎬 We’re excited to present a series of curated short films for our returning screens project.

The project saw Production Arts and Acting students work together on the School’s largest cross-degree collaboration to date.

Available to watch until 11 July ⤵️
www.gsmd.ac.uk/whats-on/hid...

In Conversation with Gilly Roche, Director of Making It Festival We caught up with Gilly Roche, Guildhall’s Head of Interdisciplinary Practice and Director of Making It Festival, to find out what’s new this year, what audiences can expect, and why “making it” means...

"Giving students the skills and confidence to create work and make their own opportunities is vital for forging sustainable careers in today’s arts industry."

Ahead of Making It Festival, we sat down with Gilly Roche to hear what audiences can expect from this year.

www.gsmd.ac.uk/about-guildh...

A Colour Box | Barbican Burst into summer with this vibrant programme of early and pre-Technicolor short films featuring butterflies, fairies, fireworks, crystals and more.

This Sunday, Barbican will be hosting A Colour Box 🎬

The event showcases a vibrant programme of early and pre-technicolour short silent films, all presented with music composed by students on our Electronic & Produced Music programme.

Find out more ⤵️
www.barbican.org.uk/whats-on/202...

A group of performers in a spacious studio, practicing synchronized dance moves. Some are standing with arms raised, while others are mid-motion. The studio has high ceilings and floral garlands hanging from the beams.

A group of performers huddled closely together, posing dramatically as if sharing a secret or reacting to a moment.

A group of performers surrounding a metal-framed bed, with one person lying on it and others standing or kneeling around, conveying a moment of concern or drama.

Step inside Orlando rehearsals 🎭

Adapted by Neil Bartlett and directed by Ellen McDougall, Orlando runs from 30 May - 4 June in Silk Street Theatre.

Remaining tickets ⤵️
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Production Arts Open Days Visit Guildhall on our Open Days to find out more about studying on one of our Production Arts programmes.

🎭 Want to know more about studying Production Arts with us? Join us on Thursday 19 June for our Open Day to find out more about:

Costume
Design Realisation
Stage Management
Theatre Technology
BA Performance Design
MA Collaborative Performance Making

Book now ⤵
www.gsmd.ac.uk/study-with-g...