40th Annual Convention – Association of British Choral Directors

From 10:30am on Saturday 17 October 2026
to 2:00pm on Sunday 18 October 2026

Venue: Reading University

We’re delighted to be returning to Reading for our 40th Convention, in the Great Hall at Reading University.

Join us for a very special weekend as we celebrate our fortieth anniversary, with many of the people who have helped make us what we are today, as well as looking ahead to the future, and, of course, lots of workshops, repertoire, exhibition and networking for everyone who leads singing, whatever their experience.

Come for the weekend – or just for a day. Find out more about the history of our famous Convention here.

Convention is for anyone and everyone involved in leading singers of any age. It’s a place where everyone is an equal, whatever their experience. Leading a choir can be lonely! Everyone is your colleague at Convention, whether you’re tentatively taking the first steps into leading singers, or you’re one of our best-known choral leaders and composers. Come to network, come to learn new skills, come to find piles of new music, come to recharge your batteries, come for inspiration.

About the weekend

meet and network with fellow choral leaders, teachers, publishers, composers and more
choose from three strands of sessions running through the weekend
follow our dedicated strand for everyone working with young voices
discover the latest repertoire to try out through the weekend
inspirational and practical sessions for all leaders, covering technique, repertoire, running your choir and more
a full day of sessions on Saturday. Convention starts at 10.30am and sessions run until 6pm.
sessions on Sunday morning, starting at 9.30am and finishing with lunch at 1.15pm.
optional concert and informal dinner on Saturday night
our famous trade exhibition to browse over your coffee

Our exhibition

Our trade exhibition is open all weekend in the Great Hall: chat with publishers and composers, browse through some real sheet music, book players and singers and start planning that long awaited choir trip!

Our venue, accommodation and travel

Reading was a very popular venue for Convention two years ago, so we’re delighted to be able to return there. Convention takes place in the London Road site of the university, based in the Great Hall, a popular concert venue, and its Music Education department. Our exhibition, plenary space and refreshments will all be alongside each other, a great way to network and browse.

There is no accommodation on site, but there is a good choice of accommodation in hotels, guest houses and self-catering within walking distance. There is ample free parking on-site and Reading station is within walking distance. There is plenty of reasonably priced accommodation in the town centre, with special delegate deals at many.