Mike Sheppard offers a month of free online composing and arranging lessons

Composer Mike Sheppard is offering free a month of free on-line composing and arranging lessons for six budding composers who wish to write for the brass band medium.

Experience

Mike is a a full member of PRS/MCPS and a professional member of the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors (BASCA).

His works are published by Hal Leonard Corporation and De Haske with many leading bands, ensembles and leading professional musicians performing his works — from Stephen Mead and Brighouse & Rastrick to the Central Band of the Royal Air Force.

In 2020 he composed 'The Spider's Web' as the Championship Section set-work for the Flemish Open.

Free of charge

He told 4BR: "I've been looking for ways to help my fellow banders stay engaged and upbeat in these difficult times, and I've already posted a number of my arrangements with audio and parts, which I'm giving away free of charge, to anyone who wants to download them.

That's been fun, and a number of bands and ensembles have used the materials to great effect."

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1h2Uuc5d5vxshXWV73_il37gvPtn7WfrH

Composing and arranging

He added: "However, I've been thinking of other ways I might help and I know a lot of people would like to try their skills sets out in composing and arranging.

Every journey starts with a single step, and I want to encourage six players to become arrangers and composers who I will teach and mentor in a series of online group lessons. Initially I'm planning to do this for a month, and to post the edited lessons online for others to watch.

Ultimately we will record the compositions and arrangements of the students, and post those online too."

I'm also looking for people with a curiosity to explore, so a willingness to roll up the sleeves and get stuck in is essentialMike Sheppard

Basic requirements

Mike told 4BR that the basic requirements he is looking for are as follows:

"I'm looking for some playing experience and of course the ability to read music and understand the brass band set-up. They need to have a working knowledge of what instruments can and cannot do.

I'm also looking for people with a curiosity to explore, so a willingness to roll up the sleeves and get stuck in is essential.

Some knowledge of, or at least an interest in harmony would be great. It does mean being prepared to venture to a piano, keyboard, computer, or whatever is to hand and start exploring.

And most important — do not be worried about perceived failure. Nothing fails — it's just a learning process! There is no age limit — just plenty of enthusiasm and a willingness to learn."

Find out more:

To find out more, please get in touch with Mike at: mikesheppard1@me.com