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A Convention 2020 session. A hands-on Kodály workshop of musical game songs from the Southeast Asia region. With Susanna Saw, Vice-President for the International Kodály Society and Lecturer and Choir Director at the Faculty of Music at University of Malaya.

For the second webinar in our Building Voices series, we welcome Patrick Freer, Professor of Music at Georgia State University, as our guest speaker. In this webinar, we'll be exploring: What is cambiata? Are its origins in the United States, or Tudor England? Key trans-Atlantic differences in choral traditions and practices. Key differences in the organization of schooling. Successful adaptations of cambiata in the UK. Singing lessons and the compromises of singing in chorus.

Building Voices is a new initiative designed to bring together the experience of teachers and conductors who have inspired hundreds of young people to sing through the adolescent years of voice change. Hear how they have coped during the COVID-19 pandemic, how they are building strong, more resilient youth singing for the future and, most of all, how they can help and support you to become part of the bright new future of vibrant young voices with networking, support and training. Professor Martin Ashley and guest panel Rachel Staunton, Nav Arles, Ian Crawford, Angela Renshaw and Ben Hamilton.

A Convention 2020 session. Many UK choirs and conductors shy away from languages other than French, German and Latin. Rather than singing in often ill-fitting English translations, why not try Rachmaninov's Vespers with guidance from Irina Walters? Or how is your Spanish? Mark Sproson provides invaluable advice on how English-speaking conductors can tackle a work like Morton Lauridsen's Soneto de la noche.

An abcd Festival session from 2021 exploring how to use these seven principles as the basis for planning, policy and practice. #WeShallNotBeRemoved is an intersectional UK Disability Arts Alliance formed as an emergency response to the pandemic, to advocate, to campaign and support D/deaf, neurodivergent and disabled creative practitioners and organisations through and after Covid19. The Seven Inclusive Principles for Arts & Cultural Organisations working safely through COVID-19 was designed to complement the guidance documents issued by UK Governments and sector support organisations. Michèle Taylor will talk through why the 7 Principles are as important and relevant now as they were when they were first created in summer 2020 and explore the principles, looking at how they can be used as the basis for planning, policy and practice.

an abcd Festival session from 2021 introducing the work of three organisations that seek to address gender, and racial, inequality in choral programming and repertoire

How do you work with trans singers? Do trans voices require specialist knowledge and niche approaches? Or can trans singers be included in broader musical cultures using the musical and communicative tools we already possess? In this webinar, CN Lester, trans singer and singing teacher, explores the best ways to work with trans singers - not as musical outsiders, but as valued colleagues and students.

A Convention 2020 session. Find out more about using British Sign Language to perform songs. Paul uses pieces from the Friday Afternoons repertoire and exploring some of the new resources by Russell Hepplewhite with lyrics by Michael Rosen. Profoundly deaf, Paul is a pianist and organist and has worked for 30 years to raise both awareness and standards of signed song and educating (and entertaining!) people about music and deafness.

A Convention 2020 session. How do we cope with mental health and well-being issues in our choirs? Singing is known to be a force for good and choirs bring people together to enjoy their company as well as the singing. Nicola Wydenbach explains how she approaches the stigma of mental illness in her Mind and Soul Choir. CEO of Making Music Barbara Eiffler talks about Making Music's Adult Music Learning Manifesto and the barriers to adults accessing musical activities with a focus on singing.

A Convention 2020 session. This panel session looks at the lack of racial diversity across the music sector; the pressing issues we need to consider in our own rehearsals, classrooms and in our repertoire choices. Chaired by Manvinder Rattan, the panel includes Naveen Arles and Nate Holder.

How many composers can you name that are not white men? This session explores the wide world of choral music from across the globe, taking in composers from each continent. As well as checking out some new favourite pieces, Elizabeth looks at at some resources and tools for equitable programming going forward.

This webinar looks at how much valuable work is being achieved to redress inequality within the performing arts industry, and how far we still have to go. Bringing together an influential panel consisting of dynamic advocates for women in all aspects of music-making, this platform seeks to identify the successes and challenges of women in music. Panel: Dr. Kate Kennedy (Director of the Re:Dress Women Composer's Project), Gabriella di Laccio (Founder of DONNE: Women in Music), James Murphy (Chief Executive, Royal Philharmonic Society) and Cassie Raine (Co-Founder and joint CEO, PiPA - Parents & Carers in Performing Arts).

with Emilie Amrein and André de Quadros. The Choral Commons is an American-based media platform that provides a space for singing communities to realize the liberatory potential of the ensemble as a site of radical imagining. Emilie Amrein and André de Quadros reflect on their experiences in the choral world, their longing for a choral world positioned for change based on justice and equity, and their vision for how The Choral Commons as a media initiative can provide a space for collective dreaming.

Singing Side by Side is a research project which aims to support mental health inclusive choirs which promote both wellbeing and the best group singing experiences "side-by-side" and will research the current experiences, needs and practice in the community through surveys, consultations and an action research programme. In this webinar, the research team presents a summary of preliminary findings including their systematic review and online survey.

July 2020. Panel: Michael Betteridge Martin Brophy Andrea Brown Jane Edwardson Jeremy Haneman. From its origins in America fifty years ago, the LGBTQ+ choir movement has grown to have a worldwide reach and has remained at the forefront of political and social change. With over 50 LGBTQ+ choirs now running in the UK, this webinar explores the history of this choir movement and consider issues of repertoire, performance, organisational structures, access and inclusion. Why are LGBTQ+ choirs so important and what can all choirs learn from them?

June 2020. Presenter: Jeremy Haneman Guests: Hamsa Mounif and Mike Roberts. What wider role can choirs play in society? Can choirs be vehicles for social change? How can a choir authentically engage in a community and make a difference in the world? The attitude of people around the world to refugees and migrants is one that concerns many of us. Are we opening and welcoming to those who have lost their homes and lives or are we cynical and think they should go back where they came from?

Nicholas Cleobury talks about preparing for orchestral rehearsals and performances, and discusses Michael Tippett's A Child of Our Time.

A Convention 2020 session. Canadian composer Sarah Quartel joined us from across the Atlantic for our 2020 Online Convention , to share recordings of some of her pieces and the background to them, along with videos of virtual premieres during lockdown, plus a chance to ask her questions.

A Convention 2020 online session. What do conductors of amateur choirs need to know about performing Handel’s masterpiece? This Convention 2020 session explores aspects of Messiah that many directors may be unaware of. Andrew Gant explains how different variants and versions of the oratorio can enhance a choir’s approach, Malcolm Bruno talks about different editions, Director of the London Handel Festival, Samir Savant, and conductors John Butt and Nicholas Cleobury discuss what is missing from the score such as dynamics and articulation, and what kind of orchestra amateur choirs should strive for.

David Wordsworth’s book of interviews with 24 composers of choral music – Giving Voice to My Music – features in-depth conversations about the life and music of some of the most prominent names in choral literature. David talks to Cecilia McDowall and Adolphus Hailstork, both of whose music touches on issues of human endeavour and injustice, about their inspirations, their passions and the challenges they have faced working through the pandemic.

London Conducting Weekend, Autumn 2025. Observer place day rate

Day : SaturdaySunday

London Conducting Weekend, Autumn 2025. Intermediate level, single day.

Day : SaturdaySunday

London Conducting Weekend, Autumn 2025. Intermediate level, full weekend.

London Conducting Weekend, Autumn 2025. Initial level, single day.

Day : SaturdaySunday

London Conducting Weekend, Autumn 2025. Initial level, full weekend.

Birmingham Conducting Weekend, Spring 2025. Observer place day rate

Day : SaturdaySunday

Birmingham Conducting Weekend, Spring 2025. Intermediate level, single day.

Day : SaturdaySunday

Birmingham Conducting Weekend, Spring 2025. Intermediate level, full weekend.

Birmingham Conducting Weekend, Spring 2025. Initial level, single day.

Day : SaturdaySunday

Birmingham Conducting Weekend, Spring 2025. Initial level, full weekend.

Group place for Robert Hollingworth's singing day on 12 April 2025 (price applies to 6 people or more).

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Student individual place for Robert Hollingworth's singing day on 12 April 2025. Please note under 18s must be accompanied by an adult throughout the day.

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Individual place for Robert Hollingworth's singing day on 12 April 2025

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Group place for Suzzie Vango's upper-voice singing day on 29 March 2025 (price applies to 6 people or more).

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Student individual place for Suzzie Vango's upper-voice singing day on 29 March 2025. Please note under 18s must be accompanied by an adult throughout the day

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Individual place for Suzzie Vango's upper-voice singing day on 29 March 2025

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Party booking rate - for parties of 6 or more. Accompanying abcd members go free (we'll ask for your details separately)

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Students and under 18s, must be accompanied by an adult throughout the day

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Saturday 18th January 2025, 9am - 4pm Online 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 ups, how to teach songs and lead rounds efficiently, and how to direct a variety of simple songs in different meters, styles and languages. We will focus on conducting technique and beat patterns, alongside physical and psychological leadership strategies required to encourage, motivate and inspire your singers. The repertoire used will be relevant to youth, community, school and workshop choirs. There will be four sessions during the day, all held on Zoom. These will run from 9.00 - 10.30, 11.00 - 12.30, 1.30 - 2.30 and 3.00 - 4.00.

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Annual business level subscription with full benefits, including reduced course rates for up to 3 people, members accounts for up to 5 people, online resources & advertising discounts.

Annual subscription with full benefits for anyone aged between 25 and 28 in full-time education, including reduced course rates and online resources. We will contact you for your date of birth following payment.

Annual subscription with full benefits for anyone under 25 in full-time education, including reduced course rates and online resources. We will contact you for your date of birth following payment.

Annual subscription for two people living at the same address, with full benefits, including reduced course rates and online resources.

Annual subscription with full benefits, including reduced course rates and online resources.