Education - delivered by Judges
In addition to running the separate all-categories Foundation Course which is primarily online, E&J also provide category based education on a rolling basis, focusing each year on one category in detail, in person.
As well as increasing your knowledge of how to do well in contest, the education provided will also help you to become a better performer in general and increase your understanding of how to improve as a musician, singer and performer.
While attendees must understand that the content of these category-based education days is designed and targeted at chorus' Music Teams and quartets, ALL LABBS AND BABS members are welcome to attend these events, not only Directors, music teams and quartets, but also the general membership and non-LABBS members wanting to learn more about these subjects.
2024 - Singing Category Education Day
Saturday 16th March 2024
Venue:
Meadow Park Academy, Abbey Road, Coventry, CV3 4BD map
Cost:
The delegate fee is £30 for LABBS and BABS members, £50 for non-members. This will be invoiced to you within 7 days of enrolment, with instructions on how to pay and must be paid promptly to secure your place.
The fee includes tea/coffee refreshments as well as a pre-selected lunch (delegates will receive more information about this in due course).
Enrolment has now CLOSED.
Once enrolled, it is important that you keep an eye on your inbox (and spam folder), so you can pay your delegate fee invoice promptly, particularly if you leave your enrolment to the last minute (we do not advise that as an approach as places may fill up quickly!).The order form for lunches will be sent out immediately after enrolment closes, i.e. from Friday 16th February, or as soon as your invoice is paid if you enroled last minute. The lunch form MUST be filled in promptly, or you might go hungry!
Education T&Cs apply - please read the terms before asking for any changes to your enrolment.
Grants are available to cover the delegate fees - please visit the following links for more information and to apply:
- LABBS Grants - Grants were available for this event. Applications have now closed.
- BABS Grants - general grants
Structure of the day
After a vocal warmup with a singing technique focus, we will have some sessions all together before splitting into a programme of electives. Delegates will be able to choose 3 topics they are personally interested in.
Quartet coaching will also be available, as well as opportunities to learn from the current LABBS Quartet Champs, Barberlicious.
At the end of the day we will come together again for an "under glass" plenary session, where we will experience the art of stacking a chorus to achieve the best sound.
Timings:
09:30 - 10:00 Arrival and registration (tea and coffee available)
10:00 - 10:30 Welcome and vocal warmup
10:30 - 11:25 Session 1 Plenary: Vocal Pedagogy
11:30 - 12:25 Session 2 electives
12:30 - 13:15 Lunch
13:20 - 14:15 Session 3 electives
14:15 - 14:35 Tea break (tea and coffee available)
14:35 - 15:30 Session 4 electives
15:35 - 16:20 Session 5 Plenary: Coaching Under Glass (Delegate chorus ~20 voices), Stacking
16:20 - 16:30 Wrap-up and Thank yous
Terms and Conditions can be found here
Electives
All delegates have the opportunity to select one class topic per timetabled elective session:
Session 2
Level up Your Singing Abilities
Join us to explore a variety of techniques and strategies for improving your singing skills – from a whole chorus approach to section work, to individual PVI.
In Conversation with Barberlicious
New on the scene chat show host Mike Taylor welcomes special guests Barberlicious, to chat about whatever takes their fancy. Let’s find out more about our current champs!
Tai Chi for Singing
Did you know that practicing Tai Chi can help you maintain proper posture and alignment while singing? Come and join us to discover useful movements and concepts that will help your singers improve their vocal abilities.
Vocal Flow
Let's dive into the meaning of "flow" and discover some techniques to ramp up our unity game!
Session 3
Align your way to more efficient singing.
Get ready to take your singing skills to the next level! In this hands-on session, you'll learn the insider secrets to achieve perfect alignment and give your voice a powerful punch!
Discover the Singing Category and Challenge Yourself to Put Your Skills to the Test!
Explore the singing category and challenge yourself to showcase your newfound knowledge and skills! Get ready to put some numbers down and see how you measure up.
Barberlicious - coaching under glass
Get ready to be amazed by Barberlicious! In this session, a Singing Judge will offer valuable coaching advice. You'll gain insight into what a Singing Judge looks for in a performance and learn techniques to improve your quartet or chorus.
Singing with Accents
I don’t have an accent - everyone else does! Although we share a common language, our accents display a great deal of variation in how we speak. How does this affect our singing, and what should we do about it? Find out more!
Session 4
What does your voice look like?
Come and experience software that allows us to see overtones - never heard an overtone? You have now!
Quartet Tips and Tricks with Barberlicious
Discover valuable tips and tricks from Barberlicious’ journey to gold!
Express yourself!
A deep dive into the mysteries of vocal expression – what it is and how to do more of it!
Unlocking the world of tuning
Let's explore the musical world of Barbershop songs and their unique tuning scales, and then we'll compare them with those used in keyboard instruments.
All Elective sessions:
Quartet Coaching with a Singing Judge
Full quartets in attendance can elect to have a 50-minute coaching session with a Singing Judge, to help you bring out the best in your singing! If there is demand by more than 6 quartets, you may be joined by another fab quartet for this session.
There are a maximum of 12 quartet places if doubled up, so if you are interested in this option, make sure your entire quartet registers for the event ASAP (as individuals) and that each quartet member selects this option on the form. You will be timetabled a slot, and each person will miss the elective they chose for that particular session.
Do you have questions on the content of the day? Please contact education@labbs.org.uk in the first instance.
