Musical Ensemble Summer 25: Time-Travelling Tunes & Tales!
12 Mondays from the 28th April to 21st July, 16:00-18:00 UK time.
View the event
Virtual Event
- This event has passed.
April 29th @ 16:30 - July 22nd @ 18:30
Virtual Event
Free – £395.00
🎵🎠Musicology: Deepen Your Musical Improv Through Rhythm, Lyrics & Storytelling! ðŸŽðŸŽµ
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. We’ll 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 improviser’s laboratory—where we experiment, refine, and push the boundaries of what improvised music can be!
What You’ll Learn:
🎶 Scenes Inspired by Music: Use lyrics, melodies, and musical themes as jumping-off points for compelling improvisational scenes.
🎠Rhythm & Dramatic Structure: Explore how tempo, beats, and musical phrasing can guide narrative pacing and emotional arcs.
📀 Improvised Concept Albums: Experiment with creating full-length musical pieces that feel cohesive, from concept albums to themed longform shows.
🎤 Mixtape Mastery: Learn to shape a longform improv show like the perfect mixtape—balancing variety, flow, and emotional impact through dynamic musical choices.
What Makes This Course Unique?
This is not just a singing class—it’s 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 – 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 don’t 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
-
Come for the improv, stay for the incidental life lessons. Andalso Improv online musical improv classes have made me a better friend and a happier human. It's also made me realize that singing has probably always been about community sharing... read more
Linda
I flipping love what improv with AndAlso has given me. Not only a fabulous inclusive community but also skills and fun and utter joyful playfulness which I carry into my work and home life too. These talented facilitators are serious about having... read more
Kerri
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
-
Superb Superb Superb. If you're looking for an addiction that is healthy for the mind, body and soul. Go no further than AndAlso Improv. It is for everyone and all inclusive. Two and a half hours of belly aching laughter is guaranteed... read more
Martin
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 can’t praise AndAlso too highly! All the teachers know their artform inside out, and share their insights with enthusiasm, warmth and humour. I’ve done many of their classes over the years, and they’re always ridiculously fun, and beneficial in ways... read more
Simon
-
I'm fairly addicted to doing courses and starting improv is one of the best things I've ever done. Met the most amazing community of people, grown in confidence, and realised I'm actually pretty awesome! The teachers are incredible. If you're... read more
Polly
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
These people are the best on the planet at what they do. Joe is a remarkable, magical musician; able to condense the exact emotional high-point of a scene into the single most appropriate piece of music at the speed of... read more
Gordon
-
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
Great in so many ways. Just experience it, you will understand!
Elderberry
A perfect meld of learning, listening and laughter. Thanks Jules and Heather for a joyful weekend in a beautiful place.
Victoria
-
Amazing improv community with fab teachers who run brilliant classes and put on inspiring improv shows.
Ryan
I’ve 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
*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
-
All the lessons I've had with AndAlso (and the retreat I went on), have been fantastic, I’ve learnt so much from them. It’s 90% hilarity and 10% deep and meaningful/emotional. Whether you want to do improv for fun, learning or... read more
Rosy
Take your improv skills to the next level in a safe, supporting and nurturing environment.
jenice
Warm-hearted people, great, skilled teachers! Have done two workshops including a Spring retreat and will definitely go back. I specifically appreciate the analytically precise feedback, warm hosting and sheer capacity for joy!
Viola
-
Brilliant classes, courses & retreats superbly taught in a super fun & supportive environment. Highly recommended!
Nathan
I have taken many musical improv classes over the course of the past 5 years. Heather and Joe are, by far, my absolute favorite team to work with—I have grown so much in my time with them!! My listening and... read more
Sharon
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
-
If you want to learn new skills, build your confidence and do this whilst having the best time then Heather, Jules and all at Andalso are the people to meet. Their courses have helped me develop and thrive in a... read more
Duncan
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
I've been taking various regular musical improv online classes with various andalso Improv teachers since 2021 and am so grateful to the person who pointed me to this brilliant, high quality offer. If you have always been attracted to musical... read more
Ariane
-
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 😊
James
AndAlso offer me an opportunity to do improv online with warm, enthusiastic and knowledgeable teachers. They foster a kind and supportive atmosphere.
Frank
I took Heather's workshop and it was amazing!
Oded
-
Taking classes with AndAlso is one of the best moves I've made. I regularly laugh till I cry; I've learnt so much - both in terms of improv skills but also about myself; the teachers are exceptional at creating a... read more
Emma
I did a really effective and exhilarating intestive week of workshops with AndAlso. I am sure I will be back for more. Highly recommended.
Matt
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