West Dean College has a dynamic and creative music community that attracts students with a passion for music who are ready to channel that interest into instrument making or playing.
You can study for a Foundation degree full-time, or enrol on a music short course. Our talented team of tutors are specialist musical instrument makers and musicians ready to help you make new discoveries and develop your skills. The College's Music department has strong links with professionals and organisations throughout the sector and internationally.
You don't have to enrol on a course to enjoy music at West Dean - check out our music events at the end of the page.
If your goal is to set up an instrument-making workshop or to work in the trade, this programme is internationally respected for the high level craftsmanship of its graduates. Unique for its teaching of the historical approach to constructing the viola da gamba, the high level of tuition equips students with skills that can be applied to making a wide range of bowed and plucked instruments, including violin and guitar. See what students say about the course in the video below.
"A tremendous international reputation, one that is respected world-wide. I now work as an instrument repairer at JP Guivier in London; it is the oldest violin shop in the country and is highly respected". Martin Cuffe, Alumnus - Musical Instrument Making.
The chance for amateur, young professional or student quartets or ensembles, to work closely with the celebrated Chilingirian Quartet. Study a repertoire of your own choice, with intensive, yet informal, daily coaching from the inspirational Chilingirian Quartet. Participate in collaborative ensemble playing sessions in the evenings and attend a public concert by the Chilingirian Quartet. An informal student recital will round off the course on the final afternoon. Generous bursaries are available for music students and young professionals.
Learn more about the Chilingirian String Ensemble Summer School
William is an international concert artist. Member of the Grammy award winning Los Angeles Guitar Quartet and faculty member of the University of Southern California.
Including exhibitions of music and instruments, a guitar makers' showcase, and masterclass with William Kanengiser and recital by Vickers Bovey Guitar Duo.
Vickers Bovey Guitar Duo have been described as performers 'with truly uncanny unanimity' (Ivan Hewett, Daily Telegraph) and 'with astounding exquisiteness' (Paul Driver, Sunday Times). Julian and Dan first met studying at Birmingham Conservatoire where they both received First Class Honours and the Principal's Prize, continuing their studies with a joint Masters at the Royal Academy of Music, graduating with Distinction and the Performance Diploma.
Recital by Vickers Bovey Guitar Duo. £5 (payable if not attending the Guitar Festival Open Day)
A few upcoming concerts:
Xuefei is a prize winning Chinese international concert artist. Commissioner of new works for the guitar, EMI recording artist and popular visiting lecturer.
The Modern Guitar Trio was formed in 2000 when Australian Roland Chadwick teamed up with English virtuosos Roland Gallery and Vincent Lindsay-Clark to record Roland Chadwick's Letter from LA for his CD; The Revealing. This suite has since been performed extensively by the Modern Guitar Trio and other trios have played this work throughout Europe, the Americas and Australia.
Guitar Season Ticket (entry to all four concerts and Open Day)
Please see the website for dates, venues and start times of each individual concert.
Recital of Music for Violin and Piano with Roy Stratford & Oliver Nelson.
Bursaries are available to help make study possible for FdA Historic Craft Practices - Musical Instruments students. Find out more about your funding options
For the Guitar Summer School, music students and young professional players aged 16 - 24 years old, and full-time (first-study classical guitar) music student at a UK university or music college may be eligible for a bursary to cover a substantial part of the summer school course fees. Find out more about short courses bursaries
Develop your musical competance or appreciation with other musicians in beautiful rooms with excellent acoustics. From beginner to advanced, you can make your own instrument under the tuition of experienced makers on a five day or nine day course.
We also host the British Violin Makers Association (BVMA) professional development course in Violin and Bow Restoration biennially at Easter (next dates will be 2019).
Curatorial Assistant Sarah Hughes shares insights from the college's rich archive of material, shining a light on Edward James musical patronage and collaborations, from the 1930s to the 1970s.
Image: Tilly Losch and Roman Nijinsky dancing in a production 'Errante' at the Savoy Theatre, London, one of Les Ballets 1933 presented by Edward James. 'Errante' was choreographed by George Balanchine with costume design by Pavel Tchelithcew. Photo by Sasha.
Music
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Music
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Music
Places available - Book now
Music
Places available - Book now
Music
Places available - Book now
Music
Places available - Book now
Music
Places available - Book now
Music
Places available - Book now
Music
Places available - Book now
Music
Course full - Join waiting list
