The abcd choral leaders' festival - book online now

Our 34th Annual Convention has been expanded and developed into our new festival, with a day longer to fit everything in too!

With the involvement of the European Choral Association, and an emphasis on more communal involvement, we have more plenary sessions, including keynote addresses and opportunities for both singing and hearing singing together, as well as lots of useful workshops sessions, our trade exhibition and three conducting courses.

It all takes place at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire in the heart of one of the UK's biggest cultural centres from 22-25 August. Find out more here and book online now!

Join us for strands including:

A shared language - European choral music. Including sessions with Jim Daus Hjernøe and Astrid Vang-Pedersen and our international guest choir, the National Youth Choir of Hungary, alongside the best of British, including Paul Spicer, Paul Mealor, Jeffrey Skidmore and John Rutter.

Singing in the community - insights into how to establish, develop and grow community choirs, along with non-conventional leadership skills and lots of road-tested, useful and versatile repertoire. In the afternoon, David Lawrence leads singing sessions of classics for all working in the community.

Repertoire for all - more repertoire reading sessions and more singing sessions, meet composers including David Bednall and Owain Park.

Research - a new initiative, starting with a keynote speech by Dr Katie Overy from Edinburgh University and the opportunity to present papers, launching a new peer-reviewed academic research journal with the aim of promoting research informed practice and a scholarly approach to choral work.

Choirs include the National Youth Choir of Hungary, London Youth Choir and the Town Hall Gospel Choir

The 2019 abcd Choral Leaders' Festival takes place in the brand-new state of the art facilities at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire in the heart of the city from 22-25 August. Find out more on our Convention pages and book your place online.

Posted: Wed 15th May 2019

2025
January, 1 post
2024
January, 2 posts
February, 1 post
April, 1 post
September, 2 posts
2023
January, 1 post
February, 1 post
March, 1 post
May, 3 posts
July, 1 post
August, 1 post
November, 1 post
2022
February, 2 posts
March, 5 posts
May, 2 posts
June, 1 post
July, 1 post
August, 2 posts
September, 2 posts
October, 2 posts
November, 1 post
2021
January, 1 post
February, 1 post
March, 1 post
April, 1 post
May, 4 posts
June, 1 post
July, 2 posts
August, 2 posts
September, 1 post
October, 1 post
November, 1 post
December, 2 posts
2020
January, 1 post
February, 2 posts
March, 2 posts
April, 2 posts
May, 1 post
June, 3 posts
July, 1 post
August, 2 posts
September, 5 posts
October, 2 posts
November, 2 posts
December, 1 post
2019
January, 1 post
February, 1 post
March, 1 post
April, 1 post
May, 1 post
June, 1 post
July, 2 posts
September, 2 posts
October, 1 post
December, 1 post
2018
February, 2 posts
May, 1 post
June, 3 posts
July, 2 posts
August, 1 post
September, 2 posts
October, 1 post
November, 2 posts
December, 1 post
2017
January, 1 post
March, 1 post
May, 1 post
June, 3 posts
July, 2 posts
August, 1 post
September, 1 post
October, 1 post
November, 2 posts
December, 1 post
2016
January, 2 posts
February, 1 post
March, 2 posts
April, 2 posts
June, 2 posts
July, 3 posts
August, 1 post
September, 1 post
October, 1 post
November, 1 post
December, 2 posts
2015
January, 1 post
February, 1 post
March, 3 posts
April, 1 post
May, 8 posts
June, 2 posts
July, 2 posts
August, 1 post
September, 4 posts
October, 2 posts
November, 3 posts
December, 2 posts
2014
January, 3 posts
February, 1 post
March, 3 posts
April, 4 posts
May, 3 posts
June, 5 posts
July, 3 posts
August, 1 post
September, 7 posts
December, 2 posts
2013
January, 1 post
February, 3 posts
March, 2 posts
April, 2 posts
May, 5 posts
June, 3 posts
July, 3 posts
September, 4 posts
November, 1 post
December, 2 posts
2012
January, 1 post
February, 4 posts
March, 5 posts
April, 2 posts
May, 5 posts
June, 3 posts
July, 2 posts
August, 2 posts
September, 3 posts
October, 4 posts
November, 1 post
December, 4 posts
2011
January, 3 posts
February, 1 post
March, 3 posts
April, 4 posts
May, 6 posts
June, 1 post
July, 1 post
August, 2 posts
September, 4 posts
October, 4 posts
November, 2 posts
December, 2 posts
2010
May, 1 post
December, 3 posts
This Love Between Us - a choral workshop with BFCS
Bradford Festival Choral Society, in partnership with abcd, present a day's workshop on Reena Esmail's This love between us and Orff's Carmina Burana.
Posted: Friday, 10th January 2025 >
London International Choral Conducting Competition returns
Choral music at its most vibrant will fill the splendid Duke’s Hall at London’s Royal Academy of Music throughout the weekend of 2-3 November 2024 as singers and conductors from the UK and around the world collaborate in an international celebration of the choral arts.
Posted: Wednesday, 25th September 2024 >
Book now for our 38th Annual Convention
We can't wait to welcome delegates to Reading for our 38th Annual Convention. Book your place now and join us for a weekend of repertoire, inspiration and the chance to spend time with colleagues. Don't forget that our Early Bird discount ends on 16 September!
Posted: Monday, 2nd September 2024 >
Music sector calls for voice to be included in Orchestra Tax Relief
Almost 40 major music sector organisations, networks and individuals are calling for ‘voice’ to be added to the eligible instruments, so that choirs can claim Orchestra Tax Relief.
Posted: Tuesday, 30th April 2024 >
Dr Roy Wales BEM
We note with great sadness the passing of Dr Roy Wales BEM.
Posted: Wednesday, 28th February 2024 >