From 9:30am on Saturday 1 November 2025
to 4:30pm on Sunday 2 November 2025Venue: The St Marylebone CE School, London, W1U 5BA
Venue: The St Marylebone CE School, London, W1U 5BA
Join us for our new weekend training course format – two days of practical conducting training, at Initial level and Intermediate level, including podium time for all participants.
Tutors: Amy Bebbington, James Davey
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: we have a limited number of bursary places available for young conductors (18 – 28 year olds) or any conductor who works with young singers. Bursary places are £150 for the weekend, or £75 for the day. Contact Elisabeth Brierley for more information.
