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As
a full Convention delegate you receive a complimentary ticket to the Gala
Concert,
......
this
year held in the awe-inspiring splendour of Lincoln Cathedral, one of
Europe's finest Gothic buildings.
The
choirs performing in the concert are awe-inspiring, too:
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Suwon
Civic Chorale, conductor In-Gi Min
Unquestionably
a world-class ensemble and one of the most remarkable choirs to be found
anywhere, the Suwon Civic Chorale is an all-professional group whose presentation
is as flawless as their singing. Those who experienced their amazing 2003
performance at the Birmingham abcd Convention will be thrilled
to see them again. |
Orlando
Consort
The Orlando Consort is established as one of the world's
finest small vocal ensembles. It has toured throughout Europe, North and
South America, and the Far East, and has released over 20 CDs, winning two
Gramophone Awards. The Consort features music written between 950 and 1550,
but the singers have extended their activities in recent years to embrace
repertoires with shared roots, such as contemporary music, jazz and world
music. |
Chantage,
conductor James Davey
Formed in 1999, Chantage has quickly established itself
as a stylish and energetic young chamber choir. Based in London, it is an
outstanding amateur choir with a national reputation. After a stunning performance
in the Grand Final of the BBC Radio 3 Choir of the Year competition 2006,
Chantage walked away with both the top prize and the prize for the audience's
favourite. |
Southend
Boys' and Girls' Choirs, director Roger Humphrey
Frequent performers in the BBC Proms and guests at
the Queen's 80th Birthday concert, both choirs have an enviable reputation
for excellent singing, both separately and together. As well as making recordings
and broadcasts the choirs have commissioned works from some of the UK's
finest composers and regularly perform in music festivals both at home and
abroad. |
| 'The
hottest thing in choral music' (Philadelphia Inquirer) A rare
chance to gain an insight into the works of the USA's Eric Whitacre,
accomplished composer, conductor and lecturer, who has become one of the
most popular and performed composers of his generation. Polyphony's recording
of his a cappella music, Cloudburst and other choral works, quickly
became an international best seller and his works are enjoying huge popularity
with choirs, described by the Los Angeles Times as 'works of unearthly beauty
and imagination, with electric, chilling harmonies'. |
Care
of the voice throughout life
Margaret Izatt, Head of Vocal Studies with the National Youth Choir
of Scotland leads a session on a topic relevant to anyone leading singers
of any age, covering children through teenage years to mature voices. Margaret
will also be leading a practical session for those working with the youngest
singers, on personal development of children through music, with an emphasis
on pre-school singing. |
Medieval
and early renaissance music
is a treasure trove of material for developing the skills of young
singers and choirs. Starting from the simplest of beginnings but reaching
the heights of ingenuity, beauty and virtuosity, it is the most liberating
repertoire ever created. With all-inclusiveness and mixed-ability applications
built into the heart of the music, the Orlando Consort show ways
to let the voice and the imagination roam free. |
Looking
for something new?
Discover something old! Medieval and renaissance music
is not merely atmospheric, serene and beautiful, but vibrant, sophisticated,
challenging and sometimes very rude indeed! In this participatory session,
the Orlando Consort will introduce some favourite sacred music from
their 500-year repertoire and may be persuaded to unveil some of the more
salacious secular songs of the period. Not for those of a sensitive disposition! |
The
music of language
Peter Broadbent, Musical Director
of the award-winning Joyful Company of Singers, works with members of Chantage
to explore how the sonorities, shapes and stresses of the original language
can lead to a greater understanding and enjoyment of the style of the music. |
Ideas
to help young singing voices
Alison Street and Linda Bance, authors
of OUP's publication Voiceplay, lead this workshop about working
musically with children aged three to five. This is for practitioners who
may or may not be music specialists, but who are keen to foster singing
with young children, to broaden their own repertoire and to enhance young
children's musicality. There are songs to help things happen in early years
settings, movement songs, songs to help pitching, songs for play and songs
that tell stories. There are lots of ideas to help you look after your own
voice too, and to develop strategies for leading singing with small or large
groups of children. |
The
joy of singing
Experience love, acceptance and cuddles without anyone touching you! Find
out how it's done in a workshop with Brenda Rattray, jazz gospel
singer. Brenda's workshops have taken her to schools, prisons and the business
world to inspire people to express themselves musically, build singing communities
and provide a source of inspirational music. |
Janette
Ruocco, Jo McNally and Gillian Dibden, who were all leaders in
abcd's recent work for Sing Up, discuss their experiences
during the project as well as their hopes for its legacy. They will also
demonstrate some of the exercises and activities employed whilst training
over 30 primary school teachers to lead singing groups: ideas to use in
the classroom and to help less experienced colleagues gain confidence in
their own singing leading. |
Approaching
Baroque works with a large choir
- a frequently encountered situation! Nicholas Cleobury, Principal
Conductor of the Oxford Bach Choir, who has conducted a wealth of choirs
including the BBC Singers and City of Birmingham Symphony Chorus, looks
at the issues when conducting Baroque works with a large number of voices. |
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Jazz
folksongs for choirs
Bob Chilcott, eminent choral composer and conductor, leads this
session on his exciting new collection of traditional folksongs with a
jazzy twist. Joined by a live jazz combo, Bob will help us discover folksongs
from around the world as we've never heard them before, including Scarborough
Fair, Hush, little baby and many more!
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Singing
playgrounds
Rebecca Ledgard and Urszula Weber from Ex Cathedra
lead a session based on this successful scheme which explores playground
activities and singing games. They use primary children's own musical language
to revitalise singing and enable children to become singing leaders themselves.
This practical workshop focuses on leading singing games in the classroom,
from a range of cultures. |
Baroque
Latin American style
Take a voyage of discovery into the hidden treasures of 17th century Latin
America, where European, African and South American cultures combined in
a colourful fusion of musical styles to create some of the most infectious
and atmospheric music of the Baroque period. Jeffrey Skidmore is
Artistic Director of the Early Music Programme at Birmingham Conservatoire
and conductor of Ex Cathedra, whose pioneering recordings of Latin American
Baroque music have gained international acclaim. |
Three
choral heresies
Andrew Parrott, founder of the Taverner Consort, Choir and Players,
Musical Director of New York Collegium and author of The Essential Bach
Choir, leads what is bound to be a lively session discussing Bach's Choir,
countertenors and women in church… and more! |
The
choir in your head
Popular abcd tutor Jo McNally works with local singers
on some of the things which normal rehearsal time doesn't allow for. She
looks at vocal technique, blend and those many things which we all know
really but are apt to forget in the midst of busy concert rehearsals, but
which might help your choir become the you dream it was! |
Align
the body and voice
Therees Tkach Hibbard was one of the original extended courses team
and is now Assistant Professor of Choral Conducting and Repertoire at the
University of Nebraska, Lincoln USA. She specialises in the use of dance
and movement instruction to train singers, music teachers and conductors
and is guaranteed provide everyone with some energy first thing on Saturday
morning! |
Masterclass
- the Korean choral tradition
Explore the rich heritage of South Korea through contemporary and traditional
music with the amazing Suwon Civic Chorale and their conductor In-Gi
Min, making a welcome return to Convention after their triumphant appearance
in 2003. |
Period
dos and don'ts
Kah-Ming Ng is the musical director of Charivari Agréable,
one of the most innovative and refreshing period-instrument bands in Europe.
The ensemble boasts an impressive award-winning discography and has collaborated
with some forty choirs in the UK. Kah-Ming will present some insights on
baroque interpretation from the point of view of the period player. |
Music
trade exhibition
Always a 'must' for delegates, this year's Exhibition in the refurbished
and enormous Engine Shed promises to be the most extensive ever. All the
major music publishers, equipment manufacturers, tour agents and other organisations
you need will be there - so you can browse, buy sheet music and recordings,
plan tours abroad etc. and benefit from the exhibitors' expert knowledge
and advice.
If you would be interested in hiring a stand, please contact Rachel
Greaves. |
