An opportunity to meet and interact with one of the most respected writers and producers in the music business. Have your work evaluated and your questions answered. This four-day event gives you unparalleled access to a consistently successful music-maker sharing his knowledge and experience.

Are you a performer, songwriter, arranger or record producer - are you a student, professional or aspiring artist? Whatever level you're at, you'll benefit from these workshops. This is a unique opportunity to get real-world information, personal guidance and artistic inspiration from a man who has advised Paul McCartney, Ray Charles, Cher, Tina Turner, Mariah Carey, James Brown, Michael McDonald, Dusty Springfield, Pet Shop Boys and Kylie Minogue.

Dr. RICHARD NILES’ career spans pop, R&B, rock and jazz as a recording artist, composer, producer, songwriter, arranger, conductor, musical director, broadcaster, author and educator. He has been called "one of the most versatile men in modern music" (Sound On Sound Magazine). He has maintained a parallel career in jazz having worked with Pat Metheny, Bob James, Michel Legrand, Jane Monheit, Bob Mintzer, The Yellowjackets and John Patitucci.

"Richard Niles is one of the best composer/arrangers around and a truly exciting musical force.  His teaching is informed by so much more than the theoretical."
17x Grammy winner PAT METHENY

Niles has been both a winner and a judge of The UK Songwriting Contest and has given workshops in association with them.


www.songwritingcontest.co.uk

PERFORMANCE MASTERCLASS
After a talk from Dr. Niles, attendees are invited to prepare a piece for performance to receive a positive and professional critique, as well as career advice from Dr. Niles. They may bring instruments or a CD backing track to perform to.
Dr. Niles discusses the transformation from a student to a performer and from a performer to an artist. Subjects included are talent, drive, the capacity for hard work, practise, music, presenting yourself and image. Dr. Niles offers performance guidelines and techniques based on his 30+ years of experience directing the performances of some of the most acclaimed and successful artists in pop and jazz.

SONGWRITING MASTERCLASS
After a talk from Dr. Niles, attendees are invited to perform one of their songs to receive a positive and professional critique from Dr. Niles. They may bring instruments or a CD ‘backing track’ to perform to.
Dr. Niles brings his years of professional experience writing, arranging and producing hits in many genres to the subject of songwriting.  Dr. Niles discusses his analytical approach, and explains his Eleven Point Plan of which he says, “It may not guarantee a HIT song but, if followed carefully, it will guarantee an EFFECTIVE song.”
Dr. Niles has written songs recorded by R&B legends Ray Charles, Deniece Williams, Tina Turner and Kid Creole.

ARRANGING MASTERCLASS
After a talk from Dr. Niles, attendees are invited to bring recordings of one of their arrangements and will receive a positive and professional critique from Dr. Niles.
Dr. Niles has been arranging Top Ten hits since 1978 and considers its specific techniques.  Subjects discussed will include harmony, theory, orchestration, genre, writing for brass and strings, use of sequencers, introductions, riffs and interludes.
Analyzing the work of some of the greatest arrangers in pop (Jack Nitzsche, George Martin, Arif Mardin, Richard Carpenter, Jimmy Haskell, Paul Riser) and using examples from his own work, Dr. Niles provides a detailed methodology for creating effective and impressive musical arrangements.

RECORD PRODUCTION MASTERCLASS
After a talk from Dr. Niles, attendees may bring examples of their own production work for Niles’ comments and class discussion.
Unlike production courses concentrating on technology, Dr. Niles considers the artistic, conceptual and emotional aspects of record production.
Dr. Niles analyzes the role of the producer, production skills, how to relate to artists, songs, songwriters, understanding of genre, musicians, recording engineers and the studio, radio, media, the commercial imperative, royalties, record companies and managers. Dr. Niles provides a template for planning a production from start to finish, including how to make a professional detailed budget.
The class will consist of listening and analysis and Dr. Niles will demonstrate many of his own production concepts with audio examples of his own work, explaining in detail how each record was made and why each production decision was reached.
•    Performers will benefit by considering the art of the producer and how they can improve your performance. How to choose the RIGHT song and how an arranger can help make a recording into a HIT.
•    Songwriters will explore the many ways performers, arrangers and producers can enhance their work.
•    Arrangers - how to focus on the artist's performance and make music exciting & ‘production-friendly’.
•    Producers will consider their job from an artistic rather than technical viewpoint—the art of presenting the emotion of the song and the soul of the performer. And it is no accident that producers George Martin, Arif Mardin and Quincy Jones were arrangers!