abcd's 2016 Convention offers a broad range of wonderful choices for choral leaders of all kinds. Besides the usual sessions on technique, repertoire, and the voice, two key threads run through a total of thirty sessions: Women as Choral Leaders and our Interaction with the Broader Choral 'World'.
We are delighted to feature the internationally-distinguished conductor Sian Edwards, who will lead delegates in a fresh approach to Fauré's Requiem; other personalities include John Dickson, one of the USA's finest choral teachers, who returns with the Louisiana University A Capella Choir, and Aira Birziņa and the international award-winning Riga Cathedral Girls' Choir.
Masterclasses will be available from John Dickson and international conductor Alice Farnham; the Canadian composer Sarah Quartel will be featured, and Ann-Marie Speed, Deborah Miles-Johnson and Jo Tomlinson will run sessions on the science of the voice and choral sound in both adult and young choirs. Helen Hampton, leader of the Popchoir movement, will lead a session on taking Pop seriously. There will be seven valuable repertoire sessions and five question-and-answer sessions with distinguished panellists, ranging from the topic of Singing and Well-being to Women as Choral Leaders and Composers. Stressed out? Mark Smith will run two sessions on how to Beat Stress: Do Less, Achieve More!
With each Convention, abcd gives choral leaders experiences, expertise and sheer enjoyment unavailable anywhere else. 2016 will be no exception!
Andrew Potter
abcd Trustee
The Introduction to this year's Convention was written by Andrew Potter before his untimely death in February 2016. We have decided to leave Andrew's Introduction intact simply because the programme for the Convention is part of Andrew's huge legacy to abcd, along with his role in conceiving and setting up the Association over thirty years ago and helping to keep abcd a vibrant and vital organisation. We dedicate the 2016 Convention to Andrew's memory.
Leslie East
Chair, Trustees, abcd
Amy Bebbington
Artistic Director, Convention 2016