An online series of sessions covering everything a choral conductor might need to consider – beat patterns in simple and compound time, pauses, rehearsal planning, independence of hands, score preparation, gesture and programme planning.
Led by experts in their field, it’s essential watching for everyone who conducts, whatever their experience. The course is ideal for those who are new to conducting, whilst being equally suitable for someone with more experience who’s looking for a refresher on particular topics.
Each course session was held live on Zoom and recorded for viewing at any time. Sessions include 75 minutes of training, plus 15 minutes discussion. The recorded sessions can be purchased individually or as a set. Your download link will include any resources that were provided as part of the session.
- Individual Sessions: £15 per session
- Bundle price (3 sessions for the price of 2): £30
- Full series (ALL 8 sessions for the price of 6.5!): £97.50
- 20% discount for abcd members, log into your account to see your discounted rate.
Session 1: The basics of choral leadership – making sound happen! Amy Bebbington
This session covers the essential elements of what it takes to be a convincing choral leader, focusing on body language, hands, the magic ingredients that combine to make sound happen, starting and stopping sound, and how to conduct music in simple 2, 3 and 4 meters.
Session 2: It’s all about the beat (patterns)! Esther Jones
This session covers simple and compound beats in 2, 3 & 4 patterns, looking at musical examples. You will also learn how conduct in 1, 5, 6 and 7, including how subdivisions work and how to apply them in managing effective ritardandi.
Session 3: It’s all about that pace! Joanna Tomlinson
Learn useful, relevant and dynamic techniques to enliven your rehearsals, keeping everyone stimulated, motivated and on task. Expect lots of practical skills to create efficiency in rehearsal, and to get the best level of engagement, investment and vocal quality from your choirs.
Session 4: Independence Day – the non-beating arm! Andrea Brown
Perfect for those who want to develop greater effectiveness and variety in their non-beating arm gestures. Focusing on useful exercises and referencing musical examples, this session will reinforce starting and stopping sound, articulation and phrasing (relating specifically to singers/text), and gradation of dynamic/tone through line, speed of movement and resistance.
Session 5: Pauses. Sarah Tenant-Flowers
There are so many different types of pause in music. Within the framework of simple beat patterns, this session focuses on the fundamentals of managing a variety of pauses, referencing musical examples, and how negotiating these effectively can enhance the clarity of your choral leadership.
Session 6: It’s a minefield – how to beat what, when! Mark Jordan
This session delves into more advanced choral music and help participants to negotiate more complex scores. It will illuminate how composers intend conductors to interpret what they’ve written in terms of time signatures, beamed notes, dashed lines and editorial details.
Session 7: Put the score in your head (not your head in the score). David Lawrence
This session covers strategic and efficient planning concepts that all choral leaders can usefully apply before hitting the rehearsal room. Whether you’re preparing a community pop song workshop, a choral orchestral work, an evensong, or musical theatre medley, here are some helpful tips for success in preparing ‘the score’.
Session 8: Sourcing programmes. James Davey
Possibly the most time consuming activity for all choral leaders – how to source and choose your programmes! Hints and tips for constructing appealing, appropriate and well-considered choral programmes are covered in this session, useful for all types of choir and choral leader.
Buy a bundle (3 sessions for the price of 2)
Full series (ALL 8 sessions for the price of 6.5!)