Composition Workshop Series with Hamish Napier

in partnership with SC&T Youth and Aberdeen University

This opportunity is open to all students aged 16-26 with previous experience of playing an instrument or singing. No prior composition experience is necessary!

Dates & Times:

  • Wednesday 19th February 2025, 7pm - 8:30pm on Zoom

  • Wednesday 5th March 2025, 7pm - 8:30pm on Zoom

  • Thursday 13th March 2025, 10am onwards at MacRobert Building, Aberdeen University, King St, Aberdeen AB24 3FX. Includes a 4hr in person workshop, refreshments and an evening concert at 7:30pm


Workshop 1                            

●  Hamish will introduce you to his compositional approach and his unique take on the modes and harmony of Scottish music using his 'Napier's Modes' infographic sheet.

●  You'll start collectively writing a new tune together as a group in collaboration with Hamish, as he steers your ideas and suggestions towards a finished tune (and chord sequence).                           

●  He'll introduce you to composition tools and processes such as capturing ideas on your smartphone voicememo app, hand-written scribbles on manuscript (or just simple ABC notation) and transcribing like the professionals do using notation software like Sibelious or MuseScore.                 

●  The discussions in the workshop will give you more of an idea about what you might like to compose yourself - and help you to be more decisive (the main challenge of being a composer).                          

●  The tune you will compose should be playable by a duo (e.g. guitar and fiddle, or two fiddles, or whistle and piano, etc etc.)


Workshop 2:

●  Having started your composition (a tune or a song), Hamish will take a look at your rough sketches, recordings and ideas, and help you to form them into something more complete.                          

●  This will be a great opportunity for giving and receiving valuable feedback

●  You'll gain a huge insight into your piece through hearing about the difficulties and discoveries that fellow composers have experienced.


 Workshop 3 and Concert - joined by additional tutor, Jordan Neil:  

●  All the composers come together in person to show their finished (and tidied) scores to everyone else.  

●  It's all about simplifying and simplifying again at this late stage, as we work as a group to get a selection of the pieces ready for performance later that evening.

●  After the 4 hour workshop, there will be 2 hours of rehearsal time, an evening meal and a concert showcasing the final works in the first half, and a duo concert featuring Hamish and Jordan's music in the second half.



Course curriculum

  • 1

    Welcome

    • Welcome

    • Registration

    • Zoom Details and Workshop Information

    • Hooray, you're all signed up!
  • 2

    Workshop 1 (online) - 19/02/25

    • What to expect in Workshop 1

    • Sending in your compositions
  • 3

    Workshop 2 (online) - 05/03/25

    • What to expect in Workshop 2

    • Tasks before Workshop 3
  • 4

    Workshop 3 (in person at University of Aberdeen) and Concert - 13/03/25

    • What to expect in Workshop 3:

    • Timings of the Day - Thursday 14th March