Residential Conducting Course

Residential Conducting Course, 22-26 July

The Association of British Choral Directors abcd will be running a five day Conducting Course alongside WIFYS, incorporating sessions on vocal technique, preparation and rehearsal technique. There will be daily masterclasses with a group of local singers, an opportunity to visit the ateliers and meet their conductors, as well as attending concerts by visiting choirs. Repertoire will focus on British music, including Elgar, Cecilia McDowall and Gabriel Jackson, and the week includes a visit to the Elgar Birthplace and Museum with a lecture from Dr Donald Hunt on Elgar's choral legacy.

This course is a great opportunity for those active in and entering the field of choral leadership to work alongside peers and concentrate on the practical aspects of choir training, conducting and rehearsal techniques. The course is open to anyone aged 18-30 years. Observer places are also available to all ages.

The course tutor will be Peter Broadbent, with guest tutors Paul Brough, Neil Ferris, Patrick Russill and Paul Spicer.

abcd's choral conducting courses are designed to develop the individual. Highly experienced tutors work with your natural abilities and previous experience to enable you to develop your own gesture vocabulary and rehearsal technique. As the training is non prescriptive in approach, with an emphasis on a supportive and encouraging environment, it will develop confidence and practical skills which can be used by those leading singing of any kind, regardless of age group, music genre or experience of singers.

For further details, see www.abcd.org.uk