November’s looking packed! In an industry where breaking through can feel tougher than ever; and every artist’s chasing that next viral moment, we’re cutting through the noise. This month, we’re bringing the opportunities right to you: A&R feedback sessions, masterclasses, and workshops that sharpen your craft and connect you to the pros. It’s all about growing, learning, and getting your sound out there.
A&R Session and Book Talk with RuthAnne (JoJo, Britney Spears, One Direction)
November 4| 18:30 GMT
Grammy and BRIT-nominated songwriter RuthAnne is coming to pointblank for an exclusive talk on her new book, ‘It’s Not Just a Song’, followed by an intimate A&R session. She’s written for JoJo (“Too Little Too Late”), Britney Spears, One Direction, Niall Horan and more, and has over 12 billion streams on her songs. The book pulls back the curtain on how songwriting really works, with stories and interviews from world-class writers like Amy Allen and Emily Warren. The best bit? pointblank students get to submit tracks for RuthAnne’s real-time feedback. Book your spot here.
Ableton Live/Logic Pro Workshop
November 5| 18:30 GMT
We’re running a special Ableton Live / Logic Pro workshop for all first-year Level 4 degree students. This is a hands-on session focused on the exact areas you find challenging, so you can ask questions and get immediate guidance.
Ableton Live Workshop
Led by Francois Kirmann Gamaury (also known as Franz Kirmann), you’ll look at MIDI programming, audio warping, dynamic arrangements, and practical workflows. Francois has been using Ableton Live for around 20 years and has worked on projects for the BBC and Channel 4. Book your spot here.
Logic Pro Workshop
Join Will Whisson, who is a seasoned producer, songwriter, and studio owner, for a session packed with Logic workflow tips, mixing techniques, and creative arrangement exercises. You can expect hands-on demos, open discussions, and practical advice straight from the studio.Book your spot here.
Music Composition Workshop
November 6| 18:30 PM
This session explores how music moves: focusing on harmony, melody, and creative flow. You’ll learn how chords and scales work together, how to create tension and release, and how to move smoothly between keys. We’ll also cover how to export and submit assignments correctly to avoid losing marks. Led by Peter Wareham – composer, producer, and performer with over 30 years’ experience across jazz, classical, rock, and pop; this workshop is open to all students studying music composition and associated modules at all levels. Book your spot here.
SSL Workshop
November 11| 18:00 GMT
Get a solid start with Solid State Logic and learn how to make the most of their industry-leading tech. You’ll get to experience how SSL supports students and educators, and how you can actually use that support in your studies, networking and early career. The session will be followed by ‘Tools for Hybrid Mixing’, which breaks down modern hybrid workflow using SSL 360 as the hub; working in-the-box with plug-ins and SSL controllers, then bringing in external analogue hardware to build a flexible hybrid studio setup. Book your spot here.
As a student at pointblank, you also get direct access to SSL consoles, to educational resources and exclusive workshops.What’s even more brilliant is that all pointblank London, LA, and Online students can enjoy an exclusive 50% discount on SSL’s Complete Access Bundle. Read more about our partnership with SSL here
Open Mic Night with Grammy Award Winner Phil Ramocon
If you’re more about performing, come out to our Open Mic Night with Grammy Award winner Phil Ramocon. It runs on alternate Wednesdays at The Stag’s Head, it’s free entry, and it’s open to singers, songwriters and live acts. You just turn up and sign up between 6 and 7 PM, then the show starts at 7:30 PM. Phil is a Grammy-winning pianist, performer and pointblank lecturer with 25+ years in the industry, known for co-writing Neneh Cherry’s “Buffalo Stance,” and for working with Gregory Isaacs, Neneh Cherry, Jimmy Cliff, Marianne Faithfull and even touring with Bob Marley. This is very much “get on the mic and be heard,” not “wait six months for a showcase.”
Sound Engineering Workshop
This session is about getting comfortable in a real studio environment: understanding signal flow, routing in and out of the DAW, and using the patch bay to bring in hardware like compressors and reverbs. It’s a fully hands-on session, perfect for anyone who wants a head start before taking Sound Engineering modules or simply wants to stop feeling intimidated by the mixing desk. It’s led by Manuel Scaramuzzino, one of pointblank’s in-house engineers and a serious problem-solver behind the boards. Book your spot here.
Percussion Masterclass with Jason Cooper (The Cure) and Sirish Manji
This is a rare experience into rhythm, touring culture and musical storytelling. Jason will talk through some of The Cure’s most iconic tracks and share what life actually looks like in the studio and on the road. He’s been playing professionally since 1988, first with Jean Jacques Burnel of The Stranglers, then joined The Cure in the mid-90s, playing on five studio albums, six live DVD releases, and performing on shows like Letterman, Jay Leno and Saturday Night Live. He’s done over 10 world tours, headlined major festivals around the world including Glastonbury 2019, recorded drums for artists including David Bowie, and composed for film and TV including the 2000 cult classic American Psycho.
Joining him is Sirish Manji (Sirishkumar), a third-generation tabla maestro who’s been playing since he was six and has worked across jazz, contemporary classical, pop and more, including collaborations with Nitin Sawhney at the National Theatre, performances at Shakespeare’s Globe on Augustine’s Oak, and even Westminster Cathedral for the Pope. Book your spot here.
Feeling excited about these sessions? Join the pointblank community and make sure you’re part of every opportunity that comes your way. Explore our music degrees to see where your journey could lead. And if you’re already with us; keep an eye out for more workshops, masterclasses, and industry events. We can’t wait to see you there!
Inspired?
Thanks to the dedication of our industry expert instructors, pointblank has earned a prestigious Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF), placing us among the very best institutions. Whether you’re passionate about DJing, music production, sound engineering, vocal performance, software engineering, radio, or songwriting, pointblank offers degrees or short courses in London, LA, Ibiza, and Online. No matter your location or aspirations, we are here to help make your dreams a reality.
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