A day of wonderful singing opportunities for school-based staff, jam-packed with songs and singing activities to take back into school.
There will be sessions introducing repertoire to the whole group and choices of workshops suitable for specific interests including opera, Early Years and basic conducting technique.
Book here (cost £50 per delegate including lunch and refreshments).
Led by inspirational Sing for Pleasure tutors:
Imelda Shirley is an experienced teacher, choral conductor and conductor trainer. She has been associated with Sing for Pleasure for over 30 years, working regularly as conductor tutor on their weekend, 5-Day and summer school courses. Imelda is a former recipient of the BFYC/BT Award for a choral and is often invited to lead choral and conducting workshops throughout the country. Imelda worked as a generalist primary teacher for many years before working for Wigan Music Service – now part of the Greater Manchester Music Hub. She is currently working on a number of school-based music curriculum projects, and as part of this work she has developed a successful and popular Early Years music project “CHIME”, encouraging singing and playful music-making in Early Years settings. A former Associate Lecturer in initial teacher education at Edge Hill University, Imelda also holds a Master’s Degree in Music Education at the Institute of Education in London. Imelda currently conducts two school choirs in the Wigan area. She also proud to conduct the ever-growing Wigan Community Choir and The Oldham Choir. She sings with Sine Nomine International Touring Choir.
Ula Weber is a leading conductor, teacher trainer and workshop leader, whose work has taken her around the UK and as far afield as Poland, Ukraine, Thailand, China and New Zealand. Ula is an expert in developing choral and classroom singing through creating singing strategies and delivering school workshops, large-scale choral events and teacher CPD. She is currently Vocal Projects Leader (Sandwell Music and Arts Service) and Co-director of Vocal.Point. She has had a number of songs and arrangements published, including Sing Up, Sing Out! and Ziggy da Dumba. As Head of Events for the National Choral Organisation, Sing for Pleasure (SfP), Ula organises conducting and singing courses across the UK and abroad. She regularly tutors on SfP conductor training courses and is Course Director for their annual Summer School. A trained choral conductor, Ula currently conducts CBSO SO Vocal (a 200-strong community choir run by the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra), CBSO Young Voices and the Birmingham City Council Choir (as featured in the 2013 BBC2 programme ‘The Choir’, with Gareth Malone). She is the founder and Musical Director of Echo Doliny (a national Polish folk choir) and, most recently, the National Teachers ’Choir.
Stuart Overington is an accomplished conductor, vocal animator and composer working between Manchester and London, UK. Having trained as a singer and conductor at the Royal Northern College of Music he is known for his engaging, informative and inclusive style and works with a wide and diverse range of ensembles. Stuart has established and directed a number of junior, youth and community choirs across the country. He is currently the director of choirs at the Royal Northern College of Music, the Hallé Orchestra’s Youth Choirs director and Chethams School of Music Chamber choir as well as regularly running community choir workshops and events across the country. In 2019 he also began working with the National Children’s Choir. Alongside his choral work, Stuart regularly works on music education projects for various companies including Royal Opera House, Opera North and the Voices Foundation. He is increasingly being recognised as a leader in the field of singing with children and young people. Stuart is also an experienced composer and arranger writing pieces for junior and youth choirs. He has also has a number of pieces published both for schools and community choirs.