Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

In conversation with Tom Machell, Improvisation Course Tutor

Guildhall School of Music & Drama @guildhallschool.bsky.social · Sep 8

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 👇
bit.ly/4ga6oAi

The award-winning actor and writer tells us what to expect on the upcoming autumn evening course.

Reflecting on Summer Schools 2025

Guildhall School of Music & Drama @guildhallschool.bsky.social · Aug 28

☀️ 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 ⤵️
bit.ly/47QPxR0

Looking back at our biggest programme of Summer Schools to date.

Guildhall School of Music & Drama @guildhallschool.bsky.social · Aug 27

🎭 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 ⤵️
bit.ly/3HQHwB3

Guildhall Symphony Orchestra & Chorus

Guildhall School of Music & Drama @guildhallschool.bsky.social · Aug 26

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.

bit.ly/3VhTuXl

Internationally acclaimed conductor Daniela Candillari conducts a thrilling evening at Barbican Hall, culminating in Puccini’s powerful 'Messa di Gloria'.

LSSO Conductor in Residence Ammal Bhatia reflects on his year in the role

Guildhall School of Music & Drama @guildhallschool.bsky.social · Aug 22

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...

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.

London Schools Symphony Orchestra

Guildhall School of Music & Drama @guildhallschool.bsky.social · Aug 20

🎼 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

bit.ly/465WsDF

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.

What next after short courses in writing?

Guildhall School of Music & Drama @guildhallschool.bsky.social · Aug 18

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👇

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

Rianne chats about her experience on our writing short courses.

Guildhall vocal alumnus Nicky Spence champions £50,000 scholarship to support rising talent

Guildhall School of Music & Drama @guildhallschool.bsky.social · Aug 6

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 ⤵️
www.gsmd.ac.uk/about-guildh...

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...

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...

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Guildhall School of Music & Drama @guildhallschool.bsky.social · Jul 30

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...

Summer Arts Camp

In Conversation with Kryštof Kohout, winner of the 2025 Guildhall Wigmore Recital Prize

Guildhall School of Music & Drama @guildhallschool.bsky.social · Jul 22

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 ⤵️
www.gsmd.ac.uk/about-guildh...

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...

Student success after studying at Guildhall Young Artists Taunton

Guildhall School of Music & Drama @guildhallschool.bsky.social · Jul 21

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!

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

Celebrating Celly and Becca as they finish their time at Guildhall Young Artists (GYA) Taunton and secure exciting university places!

GYA and Black Lives in Music open applications for the 2025/26 LSSO Conductor in Residence

Guildhall School of Music & Drama @guildhallschool.bsky.social · Jul 16

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...

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.

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Guildhall School of Music & Drama @guildhallschool.bsky.social · Jul 9

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.

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

Guildhall School of Music & Drama @guildhallschool.bsky.social · Jul 8

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 ⤵️
www.gsmd.ac.uk/life-at-the-...

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Guildhall School of Music & Drama @guildhallschool.bsky.social · Jul 2

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.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Guildhall Young Artists Bursaries – Big Give

Guildhall School of Music & Drama @guildhallschool.bsky.social · Jul 1

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

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra @royalphilorchestra.bsky.social · Jul 1

“I’m absolutely delighted to be joining the RPO. It has been an utter pleasure to work with this fantastic orchestra and I'm looking forward to immersing myself in the upcoming concerts and tours.”

Today we welcome Ruby Collins as our new Sub-Principal Bassoon!

📷 Yajie Wang

Ruby Collins, a white woman with brown hair, smiles as she holds her bassoon upright

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Guildhall School of Music & Drama @guildhallschool.bsky.social · Jul 1

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 ⤵️
bit.ly/4dV1nKW

Guildhall School of Music & Drama @guildhallschool.bsky.social · Jun 24

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 for 20 children from economically disadvantaged backgrounds to access conservatoire-quality music and drama classes. These classes …

Guildhall Young Artists Bursaries – Big Give

Guildhall School of Music & Drama @guildhallschool.bsky.social · Jun 19

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

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

Samantha Malk appointed Head of Vocal Studies

Guildhall School of Music & Drama @guildhallschool.bsky.social · Jun 18

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 ⤵️
www.gsmd.ac.uk/about-guildh...

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

GradEx 2025 opens with a celebration of Guildhall students and staff

Guildhall School of Music & Drama @guildhallschool.bsky.social · Jun 16

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 ⤵️
www.gsmd.ac.uk/about-guildh...

GradEx opens to the public as part of Making It Festival 2025, showcasing the outstanding work of final-year Production Arts students.

In Conversation with Gilly Roche, Director of Making It Festival

Guildhall School of Music & Drama @guildhallschool.bsky.social · Jun 11

🎬 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...

Guildhall School of Music & Drama @guildhallschool.bsky.social · Jun 5

"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...

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...

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

Guildhall School of Music & Drama @guildhallschool.bsky.social · Jun 4

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 Colour Box | Barbican

www.barbican.org.uk