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 choir leading and is especially suitable for those working with adult and youth community choirs as well as primary/secondary school choirs.
We kick off the day with Quick Fire energisers, move and groove, improvisation, technical vocal exercises, mash ups and quick to learn songs to gather and warm up your choir room led by Creative Choir Leader Founder, Beth Morgan and the Inspire Club Choir Leaders
Then we will enjoy an 80min Gospel Choir workshop led by dynamic sisters, Kim Samuels, MD UWE Gospel Choir and Renewal Gospel Choir and The Kingdom Choir MD, Karen Gibson MBE. You can access this workshop with a stand alone ticket.
In the afternoon, Inspire founder and experienced community choir leader, Beth Morgan, will facilitate a session trying out inclusive ways to help your singers experience being a soloist.
Followed by a Sea Shanty workshop, where we will learn fun songs led by shanty expert, composer, arranger and choir leader, Debbie Warren.
The day will wrap up with a final Inspire Choir Leader led session, including a big boogie sing with Bath choir leader, Matt Finch; a presentation on the importance of carer’s choirs with Sarah Summers.
Plus, there will be ample opportunity to meet people as well as take part in networking sessions, where each participant can take advantage of small group connections.
“It’s been the best event I’ve been to in my 9 years as a choir leader. I love how you’ve crated a non snobbery atmosphere. It was well packed full with lots of practical tips”
“Can’t wait for the next one! Thank you to everyone for making it literally the best training day I have been to”
“Just amazing! I came home inspired, buzzing and full of confidence, ideas and a bunch of new friends!”
Age: 18 years+
What’s included: All workshop sessions, score and audio resources, refreshments, a light lunch and afternoon tea.
Day Schedule:
9:30am Coffee
10:00 Welcome
10:05 Quick Fire Vocal Activities led by Beth Morgan and Inspire Leaders
10:15 Break
11:30 Gospel Choir Workshop led by Karen Gibson MBE and Kim Samuels
12:50pm Lunch Break
1:45 Collaborative Ways to Explore Solo Singing in Choirs with Beth Morgan
2:05 Sea Shanty Workshop led by Debbie Warren
2:45 Networking Groups with afternoon tea
3:15 Final Session including a Big Boogie Sing, presentation on the importance of Carer’s Choirs
4:00 Finish
DAY TICKET COST:
£55.00 Inspire Club Member Ticket
£75.00 Non-Inspire Member Ticket (Early Bird discount £65 available until 28th April using the code ‘INSPIRE2023’)
£15.00 Gospel Choir Workshop only
DEADLINE TO BOOK: FRIDAY 19th May 2023 (to allow for catering purposes)
More session info:
10:05am (70 mins) SESSION 1
Quick Fire Vocal Activities for your Community Choir
Sing before speaking to your choir!
Inspire leaders will share with us best practise that they use with their community choirs including warm ups, energisers, technical exercises, body percussion, mash ups, breath work and so much more. Learn from the people who inspire singing in our local communities.
We will enjoy being led by Christina Carty (Vocallective, Some Voices), Kari Olsen Porthouse (Liberty Singers: In person, online and workplace choirs), Jo Saville (Cornwall Choir Collective, The Weekend Choir, Cornwall Junior Choir, RAF St Mawgan Military Wives Choir, Music for Good practitioner), Clare Oliver (Andover Ladies Choir, Hampshire Harmony, Farleigh School Chapel Choir), Jonny Rees (MD Levy Choir), Ysanne Bonner (The Andover Spotlight Singers, The Phoenix Community Choir)
11:30am (80min) SESSION 2
Bringing Gospel to Your Choir with the phenomenal sister duo, Karen Gibson MBE and Kim Samuels.
Gospel singing is an expressive art form which has historically told the story of struggle. Alongside the passion and pain that is often felt and then expressed in the delivery of a gospel song, there are also stylistic conventions that can be utilised to add substance to the lyrics and the notes. This workshop session will explore common techniques used in gospel singing including:
- Twang and Belt – demonstrating the difference between these two major vocal gospel devices and how to use them effectively and safely.
- Note Bending – identifying how this dynamic has been used to add depth of expression to a song.
1:45pm (20mins) SESSION 3
Exploring Solos With Community Choirs with Beth Morgan
In this short session we’ll try out a couple of group singing activities which encourage a collaborative approach to building confidence for solo singing. This is a perfect mini session for people who run non-auditioned community choirs.
2:05pm (40mins) SESSION 4
Ahoy shipmate! Let’s sing Sea Shanties with Debbie Warren
Enjoy a fun session with expert shanty choir leader, Debbie Warren. Debbie is musical director for Sound Waves Community Choir and Harmony One and assistant MD for MJ’s Choirs in Hastings and Brighton. She regularly writes and arranges music for choirs of all ages and abilities.
2:45pm (30mins) SESSION 5
Networking groups and afternoon tea
Ever wanted to sit down with other choir leaders and pick their brains about choirs?
In our choir leader networking huddles, you can do just that. It’s a chance to meet new colleagues, ask advice and gather ideas.
“What would you do if….?”
“How can I…..?”
Have you ever…..?
PLUS, we’ll be enjoying our afternoon tea at the same time!
3:15pm (45mins) SESSION 6
Final Session
We begin to come together for the close of the day enjoying a Big Sing Boogie, with animateuar Matt Finch (Good Afternoon Choirs, Horizon Choir, Bath light operaric group, The Noteables)
Be prepared to sing, move and groove!
Sarah Summers shares her research into the needs of Unpaid Carers and how this relates to the role of the Choir Leader. Why it is so important to set up choirs for unpaid carers – why they come and what they get out of a singing with other unpaid carers.
Learn more about our guests and Inspire Leaders…
Karen Gibson MBE is an award-winning choir conductor. She is the Founder and Musical Director of world-renowned, The Kingdom Choir. Together, they have performed for dignitaries such as Nelson Mandela, Bill Clinton, Pope Benedict XVI and the Royal Family, with many television, radio and music venue appearances.
Karen is a powerhouse of inspiration and energy and, as such, is often a sought-after spokesperson, advocating the power of music, gospel and faith. She has appeared in the BBC’s Songs of Praise Gospel Choir of The Year, worked with Gareth Malone on The Choir: Sing While You Work and was cited in the first-ever book written about British Gospel Music.
Karen’s passion has always been music, driven by her Christian faith. She has been involved with vocal groups and choirs for over 25 years and has been instrumental in conducting some of the most prestigious large-scale choirs for a variety of gospel and community initiatives in the UK, Europe and USA. In addition, she runs several workshops in schools across London, advocating the power of music, teaching singing and training future leaders. Like any good teacher, she knows how to bring out the best in people, to allow their latent talent to come alive.
This has led to Karen and her team setting up The Kingdom Choir Foundation, a charity aimed at using music and choirs to bring together young people in local communities in disadvantaged and challenging areas.
In recognition of her work, Karen has received many awards, including The Lavine Hudson Outstanding Contribution to UK Gospel Award, The Archbishop of Canterbury Lambeth Award and the Jack Petchey Award for Outstanding Service to Young People. In 2020, Karen was awarded an MBE in The Queen’s Birthday Honours List for services to music.
Kim Samuels’ music journey began with classical piano lessons alongside absorbing the musical richness that came with growing up in a black pentecostal church in South West London. As a youth, Kim taught piano and formed a gospel wind band and a gospel vocal band with her sister, Karen and friends. Kim’s first experience as a choir director was as the director for the youth choir at her church. Kim is currently the leader of Renewal Choir, which she co-founded in 2005 with her husband, Vernon. In addition, Kim is the leader of the UWE Bristol Gospel Choir, which has been in operation since 2006. Kim is a member of the renowned The Kingdom Choir who sang at the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. The Kingdom Choir is led by Kim’s sister, Karen Gibson MBE.
Kim see gospel choirs as being accessible to people from all backgrounds and impacting on many levels – skill, community, encouragement and faith – to mention a few.
“Having been a founder member of the Kent Youth Choir when I was at school, choral singing has always been a passion of mine. Whilst at the RCM I had the pleasure of singing under Sir David Willcocks and participated in several choral concerts at the Royal Albert Hall. As a choir leader, I have worked with many different choirs of all ages and abilities over the years, from school choirs to church choirs, festival winning choral groups and choir entrants in Sainsburys Choir of the Year. In Hastings I was appointed to the International Composers Festival as Assistant Conductor working with the Festival Chorus. I arranged the music and conducted a chorus of 100 women’s voices to celebrate the centenary of women getting the vote. I am musical director for Sound Waves Community Choir and Harmony One and assistant MD for MJ’s Choirs in Hastings and Brighton. I regularly write and arrange music for choirs of all ages and abilities”
Beth Morgan has worked as a secondary music educator for 30 years, performing with her school choirs within the school community right through to international competitions. In 2016, she moved into the adult community choir sector, becoming the Musical Director for the Bristol Military Wives Choir.
Since then Beth has founded The Great Day Choir, a feel good daytime ladies choir, who have raised £1000s for charity, based across Bristol and Bath, and includes an accessible child friendly choir, Bella Mamas.
During the pandemic, Beth founded The Creative Choir Leader, which has grown to become a global online community of 1.2K choir leaders and features an online professional support membership, The Inspire Club for those who want to change lives in their community through inspiring choir leading. This membership has seen Beth host online training sessions and collaborate with some of the world’s leading choral arrangers and conductors including Deke Sharon, John Rutter, Bob Chilcott, Kirby Shaw, Alexander L’Estrange, Lin Marsh, Anu Omideyi, Joanna Tomlinson, Stuart Overington, Mary Bourne, Abi Moore, Matthew Finch, Emily Foulkes and Debbie Warren.
Introducing the Inspire Leaders….
Christina has been directing choirs since 2011. Her flagship choir SE London choir, Vocallective, has been running for twelve years and she also leads two daytime choirs.
In addition to this she is a freelance director for Some Voices, leading two of their London choirs. For this project she learns and teaches a new 5 part song every week, so all of this keeps her pretty busy!
Christina loves to focus on the funkier/edgier side of pop in her main repertoire, and movement/performance are also important due to her performing arts background.
She embraced the world of Instagram in 2020 and has built up a great following through her innovative and funny Reels. She has shared her talent for this creative pursuit with other choir leaders through workshops and tutoring.
Christina is currently expanding her work with Musical Teambuilding events and has recently been certified as a professional coach, so she’s excited about blending all these elements together to build even more exciting opportunities!
Www.vocallective.London
IG: @vocallective.choir
Choir leader of 2 community choirs & deputy choir leader of one other. All non auditioned choirs, singing unaccompanied with no need to read music as everything taught by ear.
Jo Saville is passionate about the healing powers of music, singing, sound & dance! Founder & Director of Cornwall Choir Collective (daytime community for women) & The Weekend Choir (pubs) | Director of Cornwall Junior Choir | Musical Director for the newly-formed Military Wives Choir at RAF St Mawgan | Music practitioner with Music for Good (charity), supporting learning and well-being through music, working with young people in a range of settings with a trauma-informed approach | Qualified Sound Therapist (under the British Academy of Sound Therapy) | Conscious Dance DJ in training! | Vocalist with The Velvets – vintage style with a modern twist | Ex Rock Choir leader (Cornwall 2011-2019)
Jonny is a music teacher, singer, arranger and choir leader based in Manchester. Since 2011, Jonny has worked leading singing in various schools and performing arts centres in addition to working as a vocal coach and performer. He is currently a member of the the contemporary a cappella group ‘Manchester Vocal Ensemble’.
In addition to working with children, he absolutely loves working with community choirs and is the MD/founder of ‘Levy Choir’ in Levenshulme, South Manchester. He loves the challenge of working with a group of mixed-ability singers, as it allows him to be continuously creative, developing strategies to enable the less confident singers to reach their potential. He also enjoys writing choral arrangements of contemporary music, tailoring the arrangements to match the choir’s ability.
Jonny believes that everyone deserves the chance to sing, no matter their background, age, or experience. He continually strives bring forth the confidence of others, and to allow them to build a positive mind-set in relation to their singing ability. His workshops are high-energy, active, friendly and engaging, whilst being educational simultaneously. He hopes to help spread the culture of choirs as they really make the world a better place.
Instagram @levychoir @jonnyreesmusician22
Clare Oliver is a singer, singing teacher and choral director. She is the MD for Andover Ladies Choir, Hampshire Harmony and Farleigh School Chapel Choir. She teaches singing and piano to all ages and standards and has pupils who win competitions, gain scholarships and have sung for NYMT and the Royal Opera House. Many students have gone on the study singing at Music Colleges.
Clare is passionate about helping everyone to maximise their vocal potential and loves helping singers achieve more than they believe is possible.
“I’m Kari and I work with community choirs in Nottingham as well as online workplace choirs for the NHS. I teach by ear and it my absolute pleasure to share as much joy as possible 😃”
Sarah Summers is a choir leader and Vocal Health First Aider based in Swindon. As a leader of community choirs, her work is largely informed by her training in Vocal Health. Working with a choir of Unpaid Carers’ in her locality, Sarah has recently researched this specific community to explore how she can best cater for their needs as singers. Sarah also leads a choir of staff and retired employees of The Great Western Hospitals Trust. Sarah enjoys getting to know each choir community so that she can tailor her work appropriately. Working on the Vocal Health Pathway is giving Sarah the opportunity to gain deeper insight into current research as well as gaining knowledge from other professionals in the field.
To find out more about her work with Unpaid Carers, please contact Sarah Summers via her website, www.happyhealthyvocals.co.uk
Food and refreshments
Included in your day ticket is:
Morning Tea/Coffee on arrival
Ploughman’s Lunch Buffet*
Afternoon Tea
Healthy snacks and water available all day
*Honey Roast Ham with Pickles, Ardennes Pate (Pork Liver) Served with Chutney, Selection of Handmade Savoury Quiches (V), Mixed Leaf Salad, Potato Salad, Traditional Coleslaw, Beetroot and Onion Salad, Tomato Salad plus a selection of English and Continental Cheeses with soft fruit Garnish, Celery, Grapes and Biscuits. Rustic Breads (and butter)
Venue and transport links:
Tyndale Baptist Church, Whiteladies Road, Redland BS8 2QG opp. Clifton Down Station. (Click map above for larger view)
Transport links:
Car: M4, M5, M32 to Bristol City Centre. BS8 2QG
Closest Parking: 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.
Covid safety:
We are committed to keeping you safe throughout your visit. If you have any Coronavirus symptoms please take a lateral flow test before coming. If you are unwell please stay home. We strongly encourage you to get the Covid vaccination. Please respect each other’s personal space.
£55.00 Inspire Club Member Ticket
£75.00 Non-Inspire Member Ticket (Early Bird discount £65 available until 28th April using the code ‘INSPIRE2023’)
£15.00 Gospel Choir Workshop only
DEADLINE TO BOOK: FRIDAY 19th May 2023 (to allow for catering purposes)