Musical Ensemble Summer 25: Time-Travelling Tunes & Tales!
12 Mondays from the 28th April to 21st July, 16:00-18:00 UK time.
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Virtual Event
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April 29th @ 16:30 - July 22nd @ 18:30
Virtual Event
Free â £395.00
đ”đ Musicology: Deepen Your Musical Improv Through Rhythm, Lyrics & Storytelling! đđ”
Are you a musical improviser looking to explore the profound connection between music and storytelling? Musicology is an advanced musical improv and scene study course where a love of music is at the heart of everything. From crafting scenes inspired by lyrics to shaping longform shows like the perfect mixtape, this course will help you unlock new dimensions of creativity and musicality in your improv.
About the Course:
Led by Heather Urquhart (Showstoppers, The Maydays) and Joe Samuel (The Maydays, The Concept), this course goes beyond musical improv fundamentals and dives into the deeper structures of music and storytelling. Weâll explore how rhythm shapes drama, how lyrics can spark whole worlds, and how shifting tempos and moods can create unforgettable improvised performances. Think of it as a musical improviserâs laboratoryâwhere we experiment, refine, and push the boundaries of what improvised music can be!
What You’ll Learn:
đ¶ Scenes Inspired by Music: Use lyrics, melodies, and musical themes as jumping-off points for compelling improvisational scenes.
đ Rhythm & Dramatic Structure: Explore how tempo, beats, and musical phrasing can guide narrative pacing and emotional arcs.
đ Improvised Concept Albums: Experiment with creating full-length musical pieces that feel cohesive, from concept albums to themed longform shows.
đ€ Mixtape Mastery: Learn to shape a longform improv show like the perfect mixtapeâbalancing variety, flow, and emotional impact through dynamic musical choices.
What Makes This Course Unique?
This is not just a singing classâitâs a deep dive into the intersection of music and improvisation, designed for those who want to harness the full potential of music in storytelling. Whether you want to sharpen your ability to craft meaningful, music-driven scenes or dream of improvising an epic concept album, this course will challenge and inspire you.
Ready to take your musical improv to the next level? Join us for a course that celebrates the power of music, rhythm, and storytelling!
12 Tuesdays from the 29th of April with a one-week break after six weeks. Sessions run from 16:30 to 18:30 UK time (with a possibility of moving to 17:00 til 19:00 UK time, venue dependant.)
Musicology is an online 12-week course â Payment Options:
- You are signing up for a 12-week course. If needed, you can spread the payments by using PayPal and selecting Pay Later or Pay-in-3 at checkout.
- If you donât use PayPal and would like to spread the payment for the course, pop us an email and we will set up an invoice schedule.
- Two Scholarship tickets and unlimited Concessions tickets are available on every course; no proof is required. Please check our Course Policies for full info.
Testimonials
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Iâve been attending Maydays residentials for at least 12 years. Always excellent events, very convivial, great teaching, lots of good improv to see. I run residentials myself and I can see the care and thought that goes into every aspect... read more
Gift
So I've been doing improv now with AndAlso for nearly two years. It's been the best decision I've made in that time and one of the best I've ever made in general. Courses have not only provided an incredible amount of... read more
Aidan
Fantastic improv company!
Corinne
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Heather and Joe are legends! They manage to create a wonderful fun and safe space to explore and always bring the best out of you. I started classes in lockdown and have not been able to stop! Thoroughly recommend đ
James
Life-changing, soul-affirming stuff. Genuinely really truly love improv â itâs an incredible community and something you should CERTAINLY do if youâre on the lookout for new friends or purpose. New skills, new friends and a new outlook on your everyday: whatâs... read more
Sam
World class improv classes and productions
Mustafa
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Living abroad, I'm only able to do improv online with AndAlso Improv. But it has been amazing, Heather is a generous and encouraging teacher. I've learned so much even with her only being a little square on my screen. Hope... read more
Justine
All the lessons I've had with AndAlso (and the retreat I went on), have been fantastic, Iâve learnt so much from them. Itâs 90% hilarity and 10% deep and meaningful/emotional. Whether you want to do improv for fun, learning or... read more
Rosy
Really fun and friendly classes with outstanding teaching
K
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I canât praise AndAlso too highly! All the teachers know their artform inside out, and share their insights with enthusiasm, warmth and humour. Iâve done many of their classes over the years, and theyâre always ridiculously fun, and beneficial in ways... read more
Simon
Take your improv skills to the next level in a safe, supporting and nurturing environment.
jenice
A professional setup with a caring community ethos. AndAlso will look after you, whether you're trying improv for the first time or you're a seasoned performer. Each teacher brings something unique, but they all share a passion for this artform... read more
Ryan
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Wonderful team and experience! I've made friends, built confidence and i'm simply much funnier than i used to be! Just completed my second term and am signing up for the next one. Highly recommended.
Sam
I took Heather's workshop and it was amazing!
Oded
I just need to say that this is one of the best things I have done in my life. I was getting into an âIâm an introvert, I donât do things like thisâ mindset. Applying the wrong idea of introversion (which... read more
Ric
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Great in so many ways. Just experience it, you will understand!
Elderberry
I've now completed four improv courses with AndAlso over the last year or so, starting from a base of zero improv knowledge or experience. No regrets! It's masses of fun and all the tutors I've had are funny, proactive and... read more
A
*ONLINE only* for me in California; have done literally hundreds of hours of Musical Improv training via Zoom since 2020. LOVE these teachers and this program. Welcoming, inclusive, supportive, knowledgeable -- they will connect with you ...
Christine
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We spent two lovely evenings watching the shows. It was a joy to watch talented people who were so quick witted and funny Absolutely loved the venue, atmosphere and the vibe, everyone was so friendly. It was so lovely to be able... read more
Maggie
Simply excellent. I've taken a lot of improv courses over the last 10 years. AndAlso has some of the most knowledgable and most caring instructors out there. They know their stuff.
Tom
I really enjoyed the Show and I saw that people have developed their Improv skills creativity and confidence massively in recent months. I laughed a lot:)
Julia
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A week of the most joyous, educational, non-stop, intensive, musical improv. Heather, Jules, and Joe work at the top of the game as professional improvisers and as master teachers.
Max
Heather and Joe are the best! I took an online class with them and it was awesome. They are both incredibly talented, adaptable, encouraging and kind. The class gave me lots of great tools to use in musical improv shows.
Kim
Inspiring teachers and well-balanced workshops! Watching Heather in action is a true delightâwhether she's leading a workshop or performing on stage.
Edyta
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Brilliant classes, courses & retreats superbly taught in a super fun & supportive environment. Highly recommended!
Nathan
I've loved every step of my improv journey with AndAlso. I've made lifelong friends, the teachers are great and each class has been a celebration of play and laughter. Would definitely recommend!
Kirby
I have been learning improv from Heather and Jules at AndAlso since 2014. I have always loved their approach, non judgemental and also equipping you with skills and tips to improve. Some of my all-time favourite exercises were from their... read more
Fabian
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All my Improv experiences have been excellent - the teachers are the perfect mix of fun and informative. The workshops feel like a very safe space
Jack
I've thoroughly enjoyed the classes and courses I've attended with And Also. The brilliant teachers and fellow students have helped me to grow and develop my improv skills whilst having a lot of fun in a really supportive environment with... read more
Carrie
Heather and Joe offer exceptional classes. They know their stuff, and how to make students of all levels thrive. Their classes are my favorite fun thing to do. Never in my wildest dream did I ever think I would... read more
Denelle