Music Course 11 · Room course
Songwriting Circle
Bring a song, leave with a better one. Six Thursday evenings of playing in full, honest feedback and finished work.
- Starts
- Thu 26 Nov
19:30–21:00 - Where
- Room 4
14 Kirkgate, Leeds - Runs
- 6 weeks
12 places max
9 left of 12 places on the Thu 26 Nov batch
This batch starts in
Counting down to Thu 26 Nov 2026, 19:30. When it hits zero, this batch is in session.
Play it whole.
Then talk.
A working circle for people who write songs, or want to. Six Thursday evenings in Room 4: bring the song you're stuck on, play it whole, and leave with two specific things to try — plus Marcus's notes in writing after every session.
Sessions mix craft and sharing. One week is structure, the next is melody, but every session ends with songs played in full. Any instrument is welcome; the studio piano and guitars are in the room.
The circle is capped at twelve and the showcase in week six is for invited friends only. Guitar Ensemble students join at the member rate; absolute beginners should start with the Ensemble or a taster.
The six
weeks
Same shape every week: teaching first, then practice with the teacher close by. Open a block to see what you will do — and what you leave with.
The circle's only rule stated once: songs get played in full before anyone speaks. First shares, and the difference between feedback and verdicts.
You leave with: your song, played, with two specific notes.
Stealing structures shamelessly: verse-chorus maps of songs you love, and why the bridge is where songs go to get interesting.
You leave with: a structure map for your next song.
Melody writing over simple changes, humming before playing, and the top-line tricks that make choruses lift.
You leave with: a chorus melody, recorded.
Lyrics under the microscope: images over explanations, the second-verse problem, and titles that do half the work.
You leave with: a second verse that earns its place.
Finishing is a skill: deciding a song is done, demoing it on a phone, and what to do with feedback you disagree with.
You leave with: a phone demo you're not embarrassed by.
An informal showcase for the group plus invited friends. Every song played in full — the rule holds to the end.
You leave with: a showcase performance, recorded.
Batch schedule
Songwriting Circle · Room 4
| Starts | Day & time | Teacher | Places left | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thu 26 Nov 2026 | Thursdays · 19:30–21:00 · 6 weeks | Marcus Reid | 9 of 12 | Booking |
| Thu 21 Jan 2027 | Thursdays · 19:30–21:00 · 6 weeks | Marcus Reid | 12 of 12 | Booking |
| Thu 18 Mar 2027 | Thursdays · 19:30–21:00 · 6 weeks | Marcus Reid | — | Boards Thu 04 Feb |
Every batch is the same 6 weeks, the same teacher, the same fee. Later batches board on the 1st of the month, two months ahead.
Full course fee
£150
or 3 × £50 monthly — the same total, no extra cost.
- Studio guitars and piano available in sessions
- Showcase evening with recordings included
- Song feedback in writing after every session
- 15% concession for full-time students & over-60s
How paying works
-
1
Enquire — we hold your place for 48 hours
Send the form below. We confirm your place by email within one working day, and it is held for 48 hours while you pay. No payment is taken from the form itself.
-
2
Pay in full, or start instalment one
The confirmation email carries one payment link. Instalments leave your account monthly on the date you choose; the last one lands before the course ends.
-
3
Changed your mind? The rules are printed
Full refund up to 14 days before your start date. Inside 14 days, one free transfer to a later batch. If we ever cancel, you choose: full refund or free transfer.
Your teacher
Marcus Reid
Marcus has played guitar professionally for twenty years — sessions in London, then touring with two bands — and teaches the way rehearsals actually work: play first, talk about what just happened, play it again better.
He runs the Guitar Ensemble and the Songwriting Circle. The ensemble's end-of-term gig is a real booking in a real venue, and the circle's rule is that every song gets played in full before anyone is allowed an opinion.
Marcus's other batches on the board
- Sat 21 Nov Guitar Ensemble — First Chords to First Gig · Hall · 8 weeks · £176
- Sat 12 Dec Family Guitar Taster (workshop) · Hall · one session · £12
Good to know before session one
- Bring the song you’re stuck on — half-finished is the entry requirement, not a problem.
- The rule: every song is played in full before anyone comments. No exceptions, even for Marcus.
- Any instrument; singers who “only sing” are welcome — the piano is in the room.
- Notes in writing: Marcus emails feedback after every session, so nothing depends on your memory.
Enquire for
this course
Two minutes, no payment taken. We reply within one working day (Mon–Sat) and hold your place for 48 hours.
Songwriting Circle
- Next start: Thu 26 Nov · 19:30
- Room 4, Leeds
- £150 or 3 × £50 · 9 places left
Prefer to talk? Call 0113 496 0000, Mon–Sat 09:00–21:00.
Enquiry received
You're on the list.
Reference ENQ-0000
We reply within one working day (Mon–Sat).
Your place is held for 48 hours from our reply. If you don't hear from us, check spam — or call 0113 496 0000 and quote your reference.