1, 2 and 3 of October 2010 are going to be days to remember - and are days to put in your diary. Classic FM and Making Music are collaborating with abcd, and just about every other singing organisation in the land, to present what will be the largest celebration of singing ever to happen in the UK. And we want all of you to take part, whether you are a music organisation, a singing group, a singer, or someone who hasn't sung since school.
We hope that every school, every street, every pub, every concert venue, every religious venue, every home, will hear the sound of singing at some point over the long weekend. And it will only work if you help us make it happen. You can:

• Learn the special 123sing! song, which will be available in multiple forms from the 123sing! website
• Work with your local school to put on special 123sing! activities
  
• Organise a short concert at your local hospital, care home or shopping centre
  
• Visit the 123sing! website and find out what is happening in your local area and join in
  
• Organise a sing-a-long at your local pub or social club
  
• Organise an informal singing or sing-a-long session with your friends and family at home
  
• Organise a 123sing! concert or other activity, such as an introduction to singing workshop or brand an existing concert with 123sing! which is close to 1, 2 or 3 October
  
  Visit www.classicfm.co.uk/123sing to find out more and register your interest

Another chance to work with Beth after the very successful day last year. Don’t miss this – she is inspirational!

Haven’t sung in a choir for years? This is the day for you to be reminded of what fun it is. Bring a friend –the day is definitely non-threatening. Learn how to sing better and how to care for your voice. Beth is an accomplished and experienced leader of community choirs as well as currently being Creative Leader for Lancashire’s Sing Up Initiative. There will be plenty of ideas for those who lead choirs too.

Download full information and booking form

Contact Mavis Fletcher 01772 655939 or mavis@enterpriseco.demon.co.uk

The programme is designed to be accessible to choral directors of all levels of experience, whether they work with church or secular choirs, and whether or not they are keyboard players. It is an essential event for those preparing for (or considering) the Royal College of Organists' Choral Directing Diploma.

Based around the practical requirements of the Diploma, there will be opportunities for those who wish to do so to conduct pieces from the set repertoire, working with piano in the morning and with the chamber choir in the afternoon.

You may attend as an active participant or as an observer. Up to five people will be able to conduct the choir in the afternoon session. They will be chosen in order of receipt of booking form and repertoire offered, and will be asked to pay a supplementary charge of £10 on the day.

For full details contact Simon Williams, email: simon.williams@rco.org.uk

Explore and sing exciting and challenging new repertoire!
St Edward’s School Woodstock Road Oxford OX2 7NN
10.30am-5pm

Would you enjoy the exclusive opportunity to understand and influence the creative process face to face with composers? Do you want to sing new music and would you relish the challenge of new works? Would you like to fully participate in a day's workshop and have your say? Then come and join Janet Lincé and Nicholas Cleobury who will conduct and lead debate with composers including Gabriel Jackson, the BBC singers’ new Associate Composer.

Cost: £28 full price / £25 abcd members and students
Places are limited and will be offered on a first come first served basis for each voice part.

For more information please call 07528 382445 or email kate.allen@abcd.org.uk

Download Booking form

Church Music Skills
Training days for organists and choir directors

A new RSCM initiative in partnership with the Royal College of Organists & abcd

Inspiration and training for church musicians of all levels, including beginners.

Separate strands for organists and choir directors but with opportunities to move between the two.

Expert tuition from experienced teachers and professionals.

Opportunities for individual coaching.

• London, Saturday 23 October 2010
  10.30am-4pm, St Marylebone Parish Church, London NW1

Limited places available - early booking is advisable.
For further information and to book contact the RSCM Education Administrator on 01722 424843 or visit www.rscm.com/skills.
Further training opportunities also available at www.rco.org.uk.

Come for supper and a chat. Meet abcd friends, talk music and composition with Alan Bullard.

Limited numbers – booking essential.

Venue: Mavis and Len Fletcher’s, 6 Sunnyhill, Fulwood, Preston, Lancs PR2 9BF

Contact 01772 655939 or email mavis@enterpriseco.demon.co.uk to secure a place.

Explore the Oxford Book of Flexible Carols and other recently published carols and anthems with composer and editor Alan Bullard

Full details and booking form

Contact Mavis Fletcher 01772 655939 or email mavis@enterpriseco.demon.co.uk

Teachers and abcd members are invited to observe workshops (£10 per day) but must book a place in advance. Contact Mavis Fletcher 01772 655939 Choir booking forms will be available soon.

June
11

East
Janette Ruocco, 0208 590 9966
Janette Ruocco@essex.gov.uk

Midlands
Jennifer Mason, 01827 288584
midlands@abcd.org.uk

North West
Ken Fayle, 01928 788986
ken_fayle@uk.ibm.com

South
Jacky Protheroe, 01252 713519.
jackyzp@talk21.com

Wales
Avril Harding, 029 20 212129.
avril.harding@ntlworld.com

London & South East
Mark Sproson, 020 8694 6255
mark.sproson@wimbolt.demon.co.uk

North
Enid Mitchell, 0191 284 3050
em@meiklerrigs.org.uk

Scotland
Jamie Brand, 01461 206912
brandjr@alb.dumgal.org.uk

South West
Rachel Greaves, abcd General Secretary. details below

Yorkshire
Nicholas Hewlett, 01274 504088
abcdyorkshire@btinternet.com