Vocal Elevation: for Upper Voices

This course is ideal for all sopranos and altos who want to explore interesting, challenging and unique upper voice repertoire. The music will feature some under-represented, lesser-known composers, showcasing new works and undiscovered gems. Experience of singing in choirs, and an ability to sight-read and listen well, will be advantageous. Amy always ensures an uplifting, inclusive, positive and supportive atmosphere.  

Highly regarded for her insightful, dynamic teaching and depth of pedagogical expertise, Amy is an internationally respected choral clinician, educator and mentor. A committed advocate for choral singing and the professional development of conductors, she brings a rare combination of artistic excellence and practical leadership to her work. Amy is widely recognised for her advocacy for women conductors and composers, and for championing marginalised voices through innovative choral programming, Discovery Days, International presentations and 1:1 mentoring.

We will cover:

• A fascinating array of upper voice repertoire from all over the world
• Music spanning a variety of styles, vocal challenges and techniques
• Physical and vocal exercises to build confidence and uncover potential
• Singing with body percussion!
• Insights into composer’s musical intentions and textual inspirations

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Sing some uniquely appealing music with new-found choral comrades!
• Have a deeper insight and knowledge of previously unknown repertoire
• Sing confidently in an upper voice ensemble in multiple parts
• Understand how to produce a variety of nuanced choral techniques
• Sing repertoire in English and other languages

Some vocal teaching (orally) and movement (visually) by rote but mainly sight-reading from provided scores which are likely to include:

I sing of a Maiden, Bebbington
Ave Maria, Clarke
Give us Grace, Joanna Forbes L’Estrange 
Veni, veni Emmanuel, Bruckner
Siao bao bao, Roots Hadden 
La Rosa Enfloresce, arr. Coley
Unfortunate Coincidence, Meyer
Shed no tear, Holst 
Lake isle of Innisfree, Daley 
On Children, Barnwell
What happens when a woman?, Olsavsky
 

Those of Improver, Confident and Skilful standards.

You should have confidence in sight reading, strong ensemble skills, a good musical ear and a general sense of physical coordination.

Yes, you will be sent a selection of PDFs before the course which you are recommended to print out or download on to your iPad.

Additionally, participants will need to bring:

- Comfortable clothes and shoes, for physical warm ups.  

- All your printed/downloaded music!  

- A reusable plastic bottle of water (NO METAL WATER BOTTLES PLEASE)

- Music stands will be available if required, but feel free to bring your own if preferred.