Choral Conducting - A Course With a Difference
ABCD Mastersinger Magazine
There are very few specialist choral conductors and
opportunities to train professionally as a choral director are
scarce, a problem that the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama
has set out to change.
Other conservatoires have excellent courses for choral
conductors, but seem to cater for musicians who only wish to
conduct professional choirs or opera choruses. The Royal Welsh
College decided that their course should offer training that would
produce choral conductors that could work in a variety of choral
fields, from children’s choirs to large city choral societies, and
produce extremely versatile, employable graduates.
On a bright September morning in 2008 the very first students
arrived at the College to begin studying for the new MA in Choral
Conducting. Wales is renowned worldwide for its tradition of choral
singing and interest in the genre has increased dramatically over
the past few years. There are more choirs than ever before,
including the extremely successful Only Men Aloud - an ensemble
that features many Royal Welsh College graduates and is directed by
RWCMD vocal tutor, Tim Rhys Evans.
A Teaching Team of the Highest Calibre
Adrian Partington had taught a choral conducting module at the
College for some years before pioneering the MA Choral Conducting.
He is one of the most prestigious musicians in the field as
Director of the BBC National Chorus of Wales and Director of Music
at Gloucester Cathedral.
In 2009 the College also appointed Simon Halsey - arguably the
leading choral conductor in the UK today - as Jane Hodge
International Chair of Choral Conducting. Simon is Director of the
City of Birmingham Symphony Chorus and Chief Conductor of the
Berlin Radio Choir. His experience, vision and energy contribute
hugely to the student experience at the Royal Welsh College of
Music & Drama. He leads choral workshops throughout each
term.
Lecturers Neil Ferris, Conductor of the Cardiff Polyphonic Choir
and well known for his singing workshops throughout the UK, and
Lucy Griffiths, a specialist in the area of youth and children’s
choir work, complete the team.
The students also benefit from masterclasses from a range of
specialists; Mike Brewer, Robert Dean, Edward Caswell, John Butt
and David Lawrence have all directed workshops at the College in
the past few months.
Original student Eugene Monteith speaks highly of
the teaching: “I have gained so much experience and training in
such a short time. A finer collection of mentors has not been
assembled anywhere else in the UK.”
Quality Tuition and Professional Experience
The course provides training in voice production, vocal skills,
rehearsal techniques, repertoire and approaches to working with
different types and levels of choir.
Each student has weekly one-to-one conducting and singing
lessons. Practical work can include conducting the College chamber
choir and 130-strong chorus. RWCMD has strong links with
prestigious local arts organisations such as the National Chorus of
Wales and the Chorus of the Welsh National Opera and each student
has the opportunity to gain professional experience and make
valuable industry contacts during a vocational placement in the
first or second term.
Original student Edward Rhys-Bate reflects:
“The most enjoyable aspect of the course for me was conducting
in the choral workshops. Every week we were assigned a group of
between 15 and 20 singers to work with. I found the outreach work
that we did in local schools and colleges immensely rewarding. The
course has provided me with the tools of the trade need to work as
a choral trainer, not just a conductor. I have learnt to direct
choirs of children of all ages, advanced youth music groups and
professionals. I have graduated with the confidence to apply for
choral positions with any group of singers.”
Career Success
The four students who arrived at the College in September 2008
have already enjoyed considerable success. Matthew Hamilton has
been appointed Conductor of the Reading Bach Choir and has won
places on international masterclasses. Each of his colleagues has
assembled a portfolio of chamber choirs and choral societies that
they conduct on a weekly basis - all before graduating.
Edward found the course so rewarding that he can
hardly bring himself to leave! “I have been so inspired by the
course that I am now strongly considering staying at the College
and studying for a PhD.”
Katherine Latham and Adrian Partington