32nd Annual Convention, 25-27 August 2017

Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Glasgow

Inspiration and support for everyone leading singing - book now!

For only the second time in abcd's history, Convention goes to Scotland, to the vibrant city of Glasgow, where we are delighted to be working in collaboration with the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland to offer a broad range of choices for choral leaders, both from Scotland, the rest of the UK and abroad. As well as the regular sessions on technique, repertoire, and the voice, the key thread running through the weekend will be diversity and unity.

The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland is a national and international centre of excellence for performing arts education. Built in 1847 as a national academy of music, it is now one of the world's most multi-disciplinary conservatoires, offering specialised and intensive teaching in dance, drama, music, production and screen. Currently, more than 1000 students are pursuing undergraduate and postgraduate degrees at RCS and it also teaches over 2000 part-time learners each year through its Junior Conservatoire and Lifelong Learning department.

Click here to download a brochure and booking form, or click here to book online now.

Choirs, presenters and sessions

  • We shall be delighted to welcome some of today's leading composers from north and south of the border, including Sir James MacMillan, Paul Mealor and Will Todd
  • The ever-popular repertoire reading sessions, with all the latest music from our exhibitor publishers and composers, including music for SATB, church choirs, upper voices and SAB.
  • The National Youth Choir of Scotland, with sessions for those working with young choirs in the community and in the classroom, and their Boys' Choir (Changed Voices) will also perform in our gala concert.
  • We welcome the Norwegian Student Choral Society to Convention, an international award-winning male voice choir
  • Swedish composer Mårten Jansson introduces the rich and varied choral repertoire of Scandinavia
  • Friday dinner and jazz at Glasgow Doubletree Hilton with Bob Chilcott
  • Back by popular request, Helen Hampton, leader of Popchoir, shows how to get pop music right with a choir
  • Masterclasses at Intermediate and Advanced level with Edward Caswell, Keith Orrell and the Glasgow Chamber Choir
  • Conductor Edward Caswell will discuss the issues of bel canto and the choral conductor and on his amazing work with Cromarty Youth Opera
  • Alan and Rebecca Tavener explore the often overlooked repertoire of Early Scottish choral music and the art of plainsong.
  • Mandy Miller inspires those looking for repertoire for young voices from 6 to 16.
  • Artistic Director of the Dunedin Consort, John Butt, shares his passion for JS Bach
  • Iris Derke shares her secrets from across the pond of the power of social media and marketing
  • James Meaders addresses the vital topic of rehearsal pacing

The RCS is located in the centre of Glasgow, just minutes from Queen Street railway station and from the airport shuttle bus stop. Accommodation will be available close by at Glasgow Caledonian University and of course there are numerous hotels in the city centre.

You can book online by clicking here, or book by post by completing the booking form in the brochure and sending to the address given.