From 9:30am on Saturday 14 February 2026
to 4:30pm on Sunday 15 February 2026Venue: Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, 200 Jennens Road, Birmingham, B4 7XR
Venue: Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, 200 Jennens Road, Birmingham, B4 7XR
Join us for our weekend training course format – two days of practical conducting training, at Initial level and Intermediate level, including podium time for all participants.
Tutors: Liz Garnett (Initial) and Mark Jordan (Intermediate)
Booking options are flexible, with the option to attend as a conductor for an individual day or the full weekend, or as an observer to the Intermediate course.
The Initial level is designed for those who are either new to leading choirs, or have conducted for a while and want to back up their experience with training. The Intermediate level is designed for those who already have experience in leading a choir and may have had some previous training.
The course will develop and extend existing leadership skills, enabling you to prepare your choir with greater confidence. We expect participants to be able to sing, have a basic level of sight-reading for the Initial course, and a competent level of sight-reading for the Intermediate course. If you are unsure which level is most suitable for you, please contact elisabeth.brierley@abcd.org.uk
Our previous training programme included extended conducting courses, with a minimum of four days teaching for the Initial Course and six days for the Intermediate. In this new model, students will receive individual feedback after each training weekend with a recommendation for their next course level. We therefore anticipate that most students will need to attend approximately two – three weekends at the Initial level and three – four weekends at the Intermediate level; however, this is just a guide and each student’s journey through the abcd training programme will be individual and based on the feedback they receive from our experienced pool of tutors.
Fee:
Initial level: Weekend rate – £187.50 abcd member, £250 non-member. Day rate – £97.50 abcd member, £130 non-member.
Intermediate level: Weekend rate – £210 abcd member, £280 non-member. Day rate – £112.50 abcd member, £150 non-member.
Observers are welcome to observe Intermediate level training. Day rate: £33.75 abcd member, £45 non-member.
Bursaries: There are a limited number of bursary places for anyone aged between 18 – 25, or anyone who regularly works with young singers. Bursary places are £75 for an individual day or £150 for the full weekend. Please contact elisabeth.brierley@abcd.org.uk for further details.
