Songwriting: Find Your Voice (Secondary 1-6) - T2
2-day Short Study for Young People
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Overview
This 2-day in person course allows young songwriters to find their voice while exploring creative ways to express themselves and their perspectives through the art of songwriting. This course is for all levels; from beginners to more experienced writers who are eager to elevate their writing skills, express their viewpoint and connect with other young writers.
While exploring the fundamentals of songwriting (structure, lyric and melody), these 2-days will allow students to unpack songwriting as self expression, giving students the tools and support to find your own unique voice and style as a writer.
This course is based on the idea that songwriting can be used as a tool for cultural connection rather than a commercial product. The course teaches students the rules of commercial pop songwriting in order for them to play outside those rules and find their own style and cultural connections through subcultures. By allowing participants the space to explore their creativity without constraint and offering examples of alternative styles of songwriting, the course is designed to empower them to confidently explore songwriting and music in more experimental and authentic ways. Throughout the course there will be opportunities to collaborate with peers and perform some of the work created and developed during your time in a safe, supportive and encouraging space.
By the end of this course students will:
– Develop awareness of the fundamentals of popular songwriting (structure, melody and lyric)
– Develop understanding of songwriting styles via contemporary examples
– Understand songwriting can be used as a powerful tool for reflection & self expression
– Develop an awareness of songwriting practice via examples provided
– Develop and maintain a personal songwriting practice
– Begin to explore your own personal style of songwriting
If you have any questions in advance of booking, please contact us at shortcourses@rcs.ac.uk
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Contact us
If you have any questions about this course before you book it, please get in touch with us at shortcourses@rcs.ac.uk.
The important details
Age:
12 - 18
Cost:
£130
Date:
11 and 12 April 2026
Time:
Saturday and Sunday, 10am - 4pm
Venue:
RCS, Renfrew Street
Course Information
Course Framework
Students will be introduced to the fundamentals of songwriting through a short lecture before taking part in practical exercises and collaborative tasks to explore their writing style and creativity.
Throughout the course there will be solo writing time, as well as feedback, discussion and reflection with the experienced staff and peers. Students will be encouraged to collaborate with others as well as working on their own to expand their knowledge and style.
The final day will culminate in a short informal sharing of songs that students wish to share with the group to improve their confidence in performing live.
This course is open for applications from anyone aged 12 – 18 with an interest in writing for the following genres: pop, singer-songwriter, alt/indie, rock.
No prior experience is necessary to attend this course. Students are encouraged to bring a notebook, pen/pencil and any instrument that they would like to use during the course for writing purposes.
If you have any questions in advance of booking, please contact us at shortcourses@rcs.ac.uk
Lou McLean
Lou Mclean is a singer-songwriter making sing-along indie pop in Scotland. After studying at the Songwriting Academy under the mentorship of songwriters such as Sharon Vaughn (Willie Nelson, The Wanted), Shelly Poole (Alisha’s Attic, Red Sky July) and Pamela Sheyne (Christina Aguilera, Dream), Lou went on to pursue her MA in songwriting at the University of the West of Scotland, where she was awarded the Paolo Nutini Songwriting Prize in 2023.
Her 2024 EP ‘Killjoy’ was playlisted in the USA & UK via Amazing Radio, with the lead single being selected as one of Scots Wae Hae’s singles of the year, and shortlisted for Snack Mag’s single of the year. She was a finalist for the Creative Edinburgh Student Award for the multimedia work of the EP and the themes of challenging misogyny in the music industry.
Her much anticipated forthcoming debut album will be released in 2026. The first single ‘Desire lines’ debuted on BBC Radio Scotland’s Arts Mix show, has since been played on Amazing radio UK & USA, as well as playlisted by SAMA, The Skinny and Alive & Amplified.
Praise for ‘Desire lines’ – “Glorious… an anthem if ever there was one” – Scots Whay Hae! 28 September 2025
This class takes place in person on Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 April 2026, from 10am – 4pm.
The course fee is £130 and can be paid in full or in instalments before the course end date.
Further Information
We want to ensure as many children, young people and adult learners as possible can access the performing and production arts education that is offered through Short Courses at RCS. Financial support options available for Short Courses include:
Agnes Allan Bursary
Agnes Allan was a teacher, passionate about inclusion, and this bursary scheme exists to offer support to students to participate in the performing or production arts.
The Agnes Allan Bursary provides some support to students who may require financial assistance to take part in a short course in dance, drama, music, production or screen.
Anyone who wishes to take part in our Short Courses and faces a financial barrier can apply for bursary support to help meet the cost of tuition fees.
James McAvoy Drama Scholarships
BAFTA-winning and Golden Globe nominated actor James McAvoy is committed to nurturing the creative potential of young Scots who experience barriers to access and participate in drama at RCS Short Courses.
James is a graduate of the BA Acting programme at RCS and Patron of the Junior Conservatoire of Drama. The Glasgow-born actor has funded the new James McAvoy Drama Scholarships to enable young people to experience the world-class drama training at RCS as he did.
The scholarship aims to support applicants who would otherwise find meeting the cost of tuition fees at RCS a barrier to accessing pre-Higher Education drama training at the Royal Conservatoire.
You can find more information about these funds on our Financial Support page.
We run various promotional offers for our Short Courses and Summer Schools. You can view our current offers on our Promotional Offers page.
You should contact us at shortcourses@rcs.ac.uk to request your discount code before booking a course.
Please note, only one promotional offer can be applied per course and should be used at the time of booking as we are unable to apply a discounts retrospectively.
Please see our Short Course FAQs for more information about all aspects of choosing, booking and attending your course.
Please see our Short Courses – Terms and Conditions for more information about your contract with Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, and Cancellation and Refund policies.
Sign up to our mailing list to receive the latest updates of courses, offers and news from Short Courses. You can do this by completing this short online form found here.
Short Courses
shortcourses@rcs.ac.uk
Summer Schools
summerschools@rcs.ac.uk
Credit-Rated
credit-rated@rcs.ac.uk
Bursary and Scholarship
bursaryscholarship@rcs.ac.uk
