Training & Courses

A formalised and structured scheme of education and learning for singers [from all walks of life and ages].

The RSCM Voice for Life scheme has now formally been launched and is fully supported by a number of RSCM publications which have been proved very useful for all areas of choral activity.   Here is a link to the main RSCM website where a basic description of both schemes is provided.

As an appetite wetter, this is a link to what was done last year for Bristol & Swindon for the RSCM Awards scheme.   Our's will be similar in structure,  but more attuned to the needs of NW Europe as appropriate [eg potentially,  the choice of examination language,  choice of anthems etc].

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On Saturday 27^th September the annual Choir Training Day was held at St. Boniface, Antwerpen.  Once again the day was led by Nigel Groome, (Assistant Regional Director of the RSCM and Director of Music at St. George, Beckenham Parish Church), assisted this time by the Belgian tenor Bart de Kegel, who took care of the vocal coaching.  
The day, attended by approximately 20 singers, began with coffee and tea from 10.00 until 10.30, which gave everyone a chance to meet and catch up on the latest news from around the Archdeaconry.
At 10.30 Bart de Kegel led a very comprehensive warm-up, concentrating particularly on breathing and tone production with regard to the different vowel sounds.  Bart's enthusiastic manner and (at times) colourful use of language made for a very stimulating workshop.
Following on from that Nigel Groome took over and presented us with a fascinating selection of music from a variety of sources which covered that period of time from 'Harvest to Candlemas'.  Several of the pieces were easily accessible even to choirs with limited resources and what impressed me particularly was the way that Nigel managed to whip an anthem into shape in a very short time with a few well-chosen remarks.
For those who attended and would like to know what the pieces were and where they can obtain copies (and for those who DIDN'T attend and would like to know what we sang), here is a list of the works looked at that day:

It was generally agreed that this was one of the most interesting and satisfying Choral Training Days and many thanks to Bart de Kegel, Nigel Groome, and especially Karine Look who kept throats well lubricated with coffee, tea and delicious biscuits!
Can't wait until next year...

Patrick Hopper