38th Annual Convention

Saturday 26th October 2024

Book now for our Annual Convention! Our 38th Convention takes place on 26 and 27 October at the London Road campus of Reading University, just outside the town centre, with its lovely Great Hall as our base.

Join us for a weekend of workshops, repertoire, exhibition and networking for everyone who leads singing, whatever their experience. Catch up with colleagues, meet new ones, browse new repertoire, brush up on skills with leading practitioners and take part in debate.

23 October: our online booking is now closed. We've just a few spaces left, so if you'd like to join us at the weekend, get in touch with us to find out the latest availability.

About the weekend

lots of opportunity to meet and network with fellow choral leaders, teachers, publishers, composers and more
three strands of sessions running through the weekend
a dedicated education strand for everyone working with young voices
session leaders including Naveen Arles, Amy Bebbington, Rebecca Berkley, the Ex Cathedra education team, Ēriks Ešenvalds, Neil Ferris, Charles MacDougall, Leanne Sedin, Sarah Tenant-Flowers, Will Todd, Joanna Tomlinson, Jenny Trattles and more
the latest repertoire to try out through the weekend
practical sessions for all choral leaders, from beginner to advanced
a full day of sessions on Saturday
sessions on Sunday morning, finishing with lunch
buffet dinner, performance by Corra Sound and socialising on Saturday night
the Big Sing with composer and conductor Will Todd
our famous trade exhibition in the Great Hall to browse throughout the weekend

See the full detail on our Convention website

Delegate fees

Full Convention (Saturday and Sunday): £265 (£215 abcd members). Includes evening performance but excludes dinner.
Saturday only: £150 (£125 abcd members) Excludes evening performance and dinner.
Sunday only: £115 (£95 abcd members) including lunch.
Saturday evening Convention dinner (two-course hot fork buffet plus choice of wine, beer or soft drink): £25 (not available now for online booking: contact us if you'd like dinner)

Join us now and pay member rate!

Just pick the option that includes membership fee (£80 annually) plus member delegate fee and we'll be in touch to confirm your membership. If you're under 28 we have reduced membership rates, so drop us a line if you'd like to join and we'll be in touch. Find out more about all the benefits of being an abcd member here.

Upcoming events view all

Choral Conducting: An Introductory Guide: Tutor: Amy Bebbington (find out more about Amy here). This day-long online course is for all those who want to learn about the foundations of choral leadership, and would suit those new to leading choirs, teachers, community musicians and young choral leaders. It will cover key topics such as how to deliver useful, effective and fun warm; Sat 18th Jan 2025>
Vocal Health Toolkit: Twilight, online training sessions for anyone working with singers, either in the community or in the classroom Each session includes 75 minutes of training, plus 15 minutes for discussion. Session are held on Zoom, from 5 to 6.30pm, with a link sent out to participants the day before. All sessions are recorded, so you can attend the ses; Thu 23rd Jan 2025 - Wed 26th Feb 2025>
Get them singing, keep them singing: leading singing in primary schools: Twilight training sessions online for anyone working with young voices in primary schools This brand new flexible course is designed to develop confidence, knowledge and skills for all teachers who lead young singers in primary schools, whether in a choir, in a classroom, or the whole school, whatever their experience level. Each se; Fri 24th Jan 2025 - Mon 1st Dec 2025>