Saturday 23rd May 2026 Bristol
Join us for for an energising day of singing, learning, sharing and networking with choir leaders. This day is open to anyone with an interest in developing their choir leadership skills and is especially suitable for those working with adult and youth community choirs as well as primary/secondary school choirs.
ABOUT THE DAY
The Creative Choir Leader Inspire Day aims to give you the opportunity to sing with your colleagues, learn new techniques and ideas, and network with fellow choir leaders. Launched in 2022, it has been described as “the best event I’ve been to in my 9 years as a choir leader. I love how you’ve created a non-snobbery atmosphere. It was packed full with lots of practical tips.” In this setting, you can learn more about choir leadership with the empathetic and engaging support of the other participants.
The Inspire Day is designed for choir leaders at all stages, from the curious right through to the more experienced. We also embrace choir leaders from all genres and styles of choir, whether you lead a community choir, health choir, wellbeing choir, a gospel choir, a school choir, a cappella choir….the list is endless! Basically, if you lead a group of people singing, then this is the day for you!
Choir leaders enjoy being a part of our annual Inspire Day. We put you at the heart of the programme. We prioritise active learning through singing and observing other choir leaders at work. You will be guided and taught in a supportive and collaborative setting. This year the day involves both practical and technical tuition, focusing on new song material, choral leadership, vocal technique, conducting preparation, creating dynamic performances, choir administration, and tour organisation.
Participants are offered a range of sessions, and at times you are given various options to choose topics of interest for your own choir leading. There’s lots of singing and a lot of fun – which we know is the best way to both lead and learn. Throughout the day, you will have ample opportunity to network and meet new people who share your passion for leading people singing together.
The Creative Choir Leader Inspire Day has welcomed choir leaders for all around the world including Australia, Ireland as well as the UK.
YOUR 2026 SESSION LEADERS
Age: 18 years+
What’s included: All workshop sessions, score and audio resources, refreshments. A light office lunch option is available as an extra.
All participants will be asked to complete a media release form.
The venue is fully accessible.
Any further questions contact us at info@thecreativechoirleader.com
Day Timetable:
9:30am Registration, coffee and networking
10:00am Welcome
10:10
Session 1: Dan Pate leads a practical pop acapella session
11:10 Changeover
11:15
Session 2: Networking Huddles
12:15
Lunch Break (1 hr)
13:15 Session 3: Rebecca Berkley leads a choral leadership session
14:15
Afternoon Tea Break (20 mins)
14:35 Session 4: Barry Holloway from Making Music shares tips on choir marketing and ticketing
15:35
Changeover (5 mins)
15:40
Session 5: Emma Wheat and the PRP Band lead a gospel session
16:40 Q&A and closing remarks
5:00pm Finish
6:00pm Optional Dinner at Pizza on the Park
DAY TICKET COST:
£55.00 plus VAT Inspire Club Member Ticket
£75.00 plus VAT Non-Inspire Member Ticket
OPTIONAL EXTRA £12.50 plus VAT Cold Lunch buffet (wraps, focaccia bread, ciabatta) and light snacks/fruit plus all drinks.
FULL DAY TICKETS: DEADLINE TO BOOK: FRIDAY 15th May 2026 (to allow for catering purposes). Please note that once purchased, tickets are non-refundable.
More session info:
10:10am (60 mins)
Acapella Warm Ups workshop
Join arranger and choir leader Dane Pate for an energetic and invigorating a cappella workshop exploring a range of songs to energise the body and mind. Sing smooth soulful choruses, enjoy upbeat and uplifting harmonies, and unpack a useful vocal warm up toolkit to utilise at your next choir rehearsal.
11:15am (60min)
Participant Huddles
A key feature of The Inspire Club membership, huddles are great opportunity to participate in a mini mastermind where you will each have 10mins to focus on your own challenge/question, and receive ideas and help from the other members of your small group. Huddles tend to be groups of 3-4 people.
1:15pm (60mins)
Developing Choral Leadership Skills
We are joined by Dr Rebecca Berkley from the University of Reading, as we explore ways to develop a strong choral leadership style to guide your choir.
2:35pm (60mins)
Member Recruitment and Ticket Sales
In this session, Barry Holloway, Marketing Manager from Making Music will present on member recruitment and ticket sales, giving us some of the latest marketing strategies available.
3:30pm (60mins)
Gospel Joy to finish off the day
We finish off our Inspire Day with a joyful gospel choir experience, led by Emma Wheat and the PRP band.
6:00pm
Optional Social Dinner (not included in ticket)
In case you haven’t chatted to your peers enough today, join us at Pizza on the Park for more time to catch up and network with your choir leader colleagues. Sign up to come on your registration form.
Food and refreshments
Included in your day ticket is:
Morning Tea/Coffee on arrival
Afternoon Tea
Healthy snacks and water available all day
OPTIONAL EXTRA – light office style lunch (wraps, focaccia bread, ciabatta) – ticket purchased separately to day ticket.
Venue and transport links:
Tyndale Baptist Church, Whiteladies Road, Redland BS8 2QG opp. Clifton Down Station.
Transport links:
Car: M4, M5, M32 to Bristol City Centre. BS8 2QG
Closest Parking: Free street parking weekends on Whatley/Chantry/Alma Road and close streets that side of Whiteladies Road. Clifton Down Station Car Park.
Please note that these is limited parking at the venue. If you are a blue badge holder, please contact info@thecreativechoirleader.com to reserve a space.
Train to Bristol Temple Meads Station. Change to Severn Beach service to Clifton Down Station (15mins service). The venue is opposite the station. Cost £1.50 single https://www.gwr.com.
Walking from Temple Meads Station, please allow 45-60mins. The walk is hilly.
Taxi from Temple Meads Station to the venue: This is the quickest way. It costs £8 – £10 and takes 7 min.
Bus from Temple Meads Station to Clifton Down Station/Tyndall’s Park Queen’s Avenue:
Number 72a, 1, 2a, 2 takes 15-18mins Cost £1-3.
