SUMMER SCHOOL 2026

Fantastic two-weeks of music sessions for Eastbourne’s young musicians to create, learn and perform.

What to expect

• Small, age-based groups with experienced tutors

• Band skills: rhythm, arrangement, harmonies, stagecraft

• Songwriting and improvisation workshops

• End-of-week performance opportunities

• Supportive environment; instruments and equipment provided

When?

• Daily sessions during the first two weeks after term ends

Who can join?

• Beginner to intermediate singers, instrumentalists and aspiring songwriters from Eastbourne and nearby areas

Why join?

• Rapid progress through focused practice

• Collaborate and make musical friends

• Build a polished set to perform/record

• Professional tutors in a safe, encouraging space

To reserve a place or for details, contact Ollie’s Music Room. Limited spaces—book early.

Sessions Available

For all instruments: form a band, arrange a song and record it in our Eastbourne studio. Learn practical recording techniques and how to get a great sound from your playing.

What you’ll do

• Join other players or bring your own band to rehearse and arrange one complete song.

• Work with an experienced tutor to craft parts, tighten arrangements and develop dynamics that translate in the studio.

• Learn microphone selection and placement, DI vs. amp recording, basic gain staging and headphone mixes.

• Explore simple production choices: EQ and compression basics, using reverb and delay tastefully, and layering for impact.

• Record your song in a professional environment: multitrack capture, comping takes and making a solid rough mix.

• Receive constructive feedback on performance, tone and mix to take home and build on.

Who it’s for

• Players of any instrument who want real-world studio experience.

• Bands wanting to document a song with professional guidance.

• Get a recorded multitrack session of your song and a stereo rough mix.

• Practical skills to achieve better recorded tone from your instrument and more effective performances in the studio.

• Confidence in communicating with engineers and making production decisions.

• Ollie’s Music Room studio, Eastbourne.

• Bring your instrument

Book a session or discuss requirements with our team to tailor the session to your level and genre.

Guitar with Jarrod: deepen your playing with focused sessions that build technique and musicality . Work on rhythm and lead parts tailored to the song you’re working on, develop better timing and feel, and explore effects, amp settings and recording tricks to make your guitar sit perfectly in the mix.

What you’ll do:

• Rehearse as a group and arrange parts that serve the song.

• Get one-to-one guidance from Jarrod on guitar technique and parts that elevate the arrangement.

Who it’s for

• Young guitarists seeking stronger technique and studio confidence.

• Players ready to translate practice into music that sounds great on record.

Sessions are tailored to your level and goals. Bring your instrument and have fun!

David Cane Hardy was the head of music during Ratton School’s heyday as the place to be for performing arts. He was my music teacher and was ultimately classified as an Advanced Skilled Music Teacher for his pioneering work in promoting world music.

His ensembles toured to Barbados and performed twice on Blue Peter, showcasing djembe and other world percussion, along with soundscapes and repertoire drawn from across the globe. The approach he taught—rhythmic, textural and culturally wide-ranging—suits instrumentalists and singers alike. It’s an experience not to be missed.

Group singing with the opportunity to record your voice in our professional studio

Join our guided group singing session in Eastbourne and discover the joy of singing together. Led by experienced vocal coach Mia Longman,

The session focuses on warm-up techniques, harmony, phrasing and stage confidence—suitable for all abilities. After working on repertoire as an ensemble, each participant gets the unique chance to record a solo or small-group performance in our fully equipped studio. You’ll receive a polished take of your song to keep.

What to expect

• Warm-up and vocal technique tailored for group singing

• Rehearsal of one or two carefully arranged songs with harmonies

• Guidance on microphone technique and studio performance

• Individual recording time: solo or paired part

• A mastered digital copy of your recording delivered afterwards

Who it’s for

• Beginners and experienced singers wanting to build ensemble skills

• Anyone curious about the recording process

• Choir members looking for a professional recording opportunity

Session details

• Small groups to ensure personalised attention

• All recording gear provided; bring any sheet music or lyric sheets you prefer

Reserve your place and experience the blend of communal music-making and a professional studio session at Ollie’s Music Room.