Short course
Sodajerker Songwriting Lab with Sacha Skarbek and Ben Parker
Spend a day writing songs with top professional songwriters. The Sodajerker Songwriting Lab brings hit songwriter Sacha Skarbek (Adele, James Blunt, Miley Cyrus) and songwriter/producer Ben Parker, co-founder of the Skarbek Songwriting Academy, to the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire for a one-day workshop hosted by the award-winning Sodajerker podcast.
Overview
Led by Sacha Skarbek, whose co-writing credits include James Blunt’s ‘You’re Beautiful’ and Miley Cyrus’s ‘Wrecking Ball’, and songwriter, producer and educator Ben Parker, the Lab is a full day of practical songwriting: guided writing activities, small-group sessions in the Conservatoire’s studios, and individual feedback on your songs from proven writers who also teach songwriting at the Skarbek Songwriting Academy. The day is hosted by Simon Barber and Brian O’Connor from Sodajerker, the long-running podcast about the craft of songwriting and will feature a live Sodajerker conversation and audience Q&A with the guests. You’ll leave with new techniques, direct feedback on your work, and a clearer sense of how professional songwriters approach their craft and careers.
Learning Outcomes
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Develop and apply practical song writing techniques through guided writing activities led by professional songwriters
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Evaluate and refine your original songs in response to structured feedback from industry practitioners
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Identify professional approaches to craft, collaboration and career development in song writing
Who will benefit ?
Practising and aspiring songwriters at any level, from hobbyists to music students and semi-professional writers. It’s for anyone who want to sharpen their craft with direct feedback from established songwriters. No qualifications or prior training are required; you should be comfortable sharing works in progress, and we encourage you to bring a song or song idea to develop on the day. Fans of the Sodajerker podcast will feel right at home.
Course in depth
The Lab runs as a single day at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. The morning opens with writing activities set by Sacha and Ben, followed by small-group writing sessions in the Conservatoire’s studios. In the afternoon, groups reconvene to share their work and receive individual feedback from the guests. The day closes with a live Sodajerker interview with Sacha and Ben, including an audience Q&A.
What is included?
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A full day of songwriting workshops, small-group writing and individual feedback with Sacha Skarbek and Ben Parker
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Live Sodajerker interview and audience Q&A
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Lunch and refreshments
Schedule & Location
Session 1: Morning – welcome and songwriting workshops with Sacha Skarbek and Ben Parker
Session 2: Afternoon – small-group writing and feedback sessions
Session 3: Late afternoon – live Sodajerker interview and audience Q&A
Location
Royal Birmingham Conservatoire
Birmingham City University
Curzon Building
Cardigan Street
Birmingham
B4 7BD
Fees and enrolment
Level: Short course
Cost: £270 (inc vat)
If you're interested in finding out more about this course or would like more information before you enrol, please register your interest and we'll be in touch with more information.