International Choral Conducting Summer School 2012
Posted on May 12th, 2012Sunday 12th – Friday 17th August, 2012
Artistic Director: Bernie Sherlock
The Association of Irish Choirs (AOIC) presents its 33rd International Choral Conducting Summer School for conductors, teachers, music students, choral enthusiasts and musicians.
The only one of its kind in Ireland, this six-day intensive course offers a wealth of expertise from international and Irish tutors, all of whom are active conductors and experienced teachers of conducting.
With courses designed to meet the needs and abilities of each student — from beginners to experienced, established conductors — participants at all levels will develop and refine their core conducting skills, with more advanced classes focusing on areas such as rehearsal technique, interpretation, vocal technique, style, and pronunciation of languages.
Based in the beautiful surroundings of the University of Limerick, this year’s summer school will provide the usual intensive instruction in choral conducting given by dynamic and inspirational tutors. As well, a range of workshops will cover essential and stimulating topics including vocal production, repertoire, working with young choirs, and the changing voice. Masterclasses, daily warm-ups and whole-group choir sessions, and open rehearsals will round off the week to ensure a varied, vibrant and valuable course is enjoyed by all.
Beginner (Level 1)
This level is for those with no previous experience or tuition in choral conducting. It focuses on good posture and the fundamentals of conducting technique, including beat patterns, cues and cut-offs. Using mostly unison and two-part material, participants at this level will grow in confidence as they develop.
Donal Doherty
Head of Music Services, Western Education and Library Board; Conductor of award-winning chamber choir Codetta; former Director of Music, St Eugene’s Cathedral and Head of Music, St Columb’s College, Derry; Conductor, City of Derry Civic Choirs; regular adjudicator.
Foundation (Level 2)
This level is for beginners with some qualification or background in music who may have elementary conducting experience. Using mostly unison and two-part material, it further develops the fundamentals of conducting technique with more emphasis on gestures and vocal training.
Bernie Sherlock
Conductor of multi-award-winning New Dublin Voices and the Culwick Choral Society; Trinity College Choral Society 1999-2008; DIT Conservatory Choral Director 1995-2005; lecturer in the DIT Conservatory of Music; in demand as an adjudicator, choral animateur, and teacher of conducting.
Transition (Level 3)
This level is for those with previous tuition in, or experience of, conducting, this level further develops conducting technique and vocal training, using more challenging music and score analysis, with increased attention to style, interpretation and rehearsal technique.
Julian Wilkins
Works as a conductor, organist and pianist throughout the UK and overseas with City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO) and Choruses, Association of British Choral Directors, and Sing Up – the Music Manifesto’s National Singing Programme. Educated at Wells Cathedral School as a chorister and specialist musician, and St Catharine’s College, Cambridge as an organ scholar,
Intermediate (Level 4)
This level is for conductors with well-developed musicianship skills, experienced in working with choirs and/or who have had previous tuition in conducting. This level further develops conducting technique and vocal training, using more challenging music and score analysis, with increased attention to style, interpretation and rehearsal technique.
David Lawrence
Experienced and respected trainer of choral conductors; has worked with the London Philharmonic Choir, the Hallé Choir, and the CBSO Chorus; national youth choirs of Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales; conducts for BBC Television’s ‘Songs of Praise’ and ‘The People’s Chorus’ for BBC Four; has also directed large scale education projects with the Orchestra of Welsh National Opera, the English Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra.
Advanced (Level 5)
This level is for conductors with considerable experience and highly-developed musicianship skills who have already studied conducting. Applicants are expected to have a strong technique with interest in further development and refinement using more challenging music and score analysis.
Dr. Katalin Kiss
Founder, conductor and artistic director of the internationally-renowned Ars Nova Vocal Ensemble, Hungary; Professor of conducting and musicianship at the Kodály Institute of the Liszt Academy of Music; guest lecturer and conductor at the Kodály Centre of America in Boston, Massachusetts; regular performer and lecturer at music conventions, symposia and seminars, and juror at international choir competitions worldwide.
Workshop schedule 2012
An integral part of the course is the afternoon workshop programme which sees course tutors and invited experts sharing their insights and experience on a range of topics, including:
· Developing good vocal technique for all ages (Colette McGahon)
· Developing Choral Singing in the Primary School (Máire Keary Scanlon)
· Singing as an Excellent Way to Develop Skills of Literacy and Numeracy (Julian Wilkins)
· The Challenges and Joys of Working with the Teenage Male Voice (Ben Hanlon)
· Sacred Repertoire for all levels (Donal O Doherty)
· Essential Skills for the Choral Conductor (David Lawrence)
· Choral Music and Danté (Dr Katalin Kiss)
This course offers:
- Exceptional value for money
- Excellent conducting tuition at a range of levels
- Tutor-led warm-up sessions and whole group singing
- Exposure to new repertoire
- Conducting in final-day concert (optional)
- One-to-one lessons by private arrangement
- Observer places available
The course will also include workshops and lectures including vocal production, score preparation, rehearsal technique, and the placement of voices within the choir.
Accommodation and catering
AOIC can provide details of suitably located hotel, B&B and self-catering accommodation on request. On campus, self-catering accommodation is located close to the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance. A number of on-campus catering facilities are open with lunches ranging in price from €5 – €10. These are all located within walking distance of the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance. Maps and campus information will be provided with your booking information.
Repertoire
A full repertoire list giving publisher details is available here. Please note that this year, most repertoire is available free from the CPDL website.
Application
The closing date for receipt of applications is Tuesday June 12th, 2012. Applications received on or before that date will attract the early bird fee.
Early application is advised as places at each level will be strictly limited to 12. To secure your place, complete and return the application form along with the appropriate fee payable by cheque, postal order or bank transfer.
Course Fees
AOIC member: €350 (early bird fee €310)
AOIC non-member: €400 (early bird fee €380)
Students/Unwaged: €290 (early bird fee €260)
(Proof of student status required)
Observer fees: €180 / €150/ €120
Workshop : €20 /€15
Participant and observer fees include morning break.
Please contact AOIC at aoic@ul.ie or 061 234823 for further information.
Posted in the Training category.
