RCO Events Listings

Your RCO event details can be found below.

Please note that the 24-hour clock is used on all event listings, with all times being GMT/BST. To book courses and classes, please follow the Book Online link wherever you see it, and email bookings@rco.org.uk or call 020 3865 6998 with any queries. Where events are free or not bookable online, please follow the instructions for that event.

Choral Directing Workshop with David Hill

Saturday 30th September 2023 (11:00 – 16:30)
St George's Church, Hanover Square, London W1S 1FX

With regret, this event has been cancelled owing to the train strike called by the ASLEF trade union.

Our popular choral directing workshop makes a return after several years in abeyance led by the College's President Dr David Hill MBE, one of the most sought-after choral directors and teachers.

Who should attend?
Anyone with an interest in choral directing can attend as an observer. You are sure to find much on which to reflect, no matter how much or how little experience you have in directing choirs. Five places will be available (at an additional charge - see foot of page for fees) for active participants who, in the afternoon session, will work with 24 members of The Bach Choir. In order to apply as an active participant you should feel confident to rehearse and conduct the repertoire outlined below which is taken from the requirements of the College's Choral Directing Diploma. Those wishing to be considered as an active participant are asked to state this on the booking form along with the repertoire they are preparing. They will be informed in advance if they have been selected to conduct and asked to pay the additional fee. The selection process will be informed by the need to cover the maximum amount of repertoire.

Repertoire
Where available, copyright-free editions can be found by clicking the links below. The Howells carol anthem is published by Stainer & Bell. The Poulenc motet is included in European Sacred Music, OUP edited John Rutter though, for those takling the RCO Diploma, the UMP edition in open score must be used. Those attending are asked to bring their own copies.
Henry Purcell Remember not Lord our offences 
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Gloria from Missa Brevis in B flat KV 275
Anton Bruckner Os justi
Herbert Howells Here is the little door
Francis Poulenc Salve Regina 

Timetable
10:30 Doors open
11:00 Morning session, including: the importance of warm-ups, score preparation, rehearsal and conducting technique.
13:00 Lunch (not provided)
14:00 Conducting workshop – a maximum of five pre-selected conductors work with 24 members of The Bach Choir
16:00 Plenary
16:30 End

The venue
St George's Church, Hanover Square is five minutes walk from Oxford Circus underground station and 10 from Bond Street. There is an exit for the Elizabeth Line in Hanover Square, just a few minutes walk from the church. Toilet facilities are available but we regret that it will not be possible to provide refreshments of any sort. You are welcome to bring your own.

David Hill
David Hill, current President of the College, is Musical Director of The Bach Choir, Principal Conductor Yale Schola Cantorum, Associate Guest Conductor Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Musical Director Leeds Philharmonic Society, Artistic Director Cambridge Summer Music Festival, and Artistic Director Charles Wood Summer School. He was Chief Conductor of the BBC Singers from September 2007 to September 2017. Having been Organ Scholar at St John’s College, Cambridge, David Hill returned to hold the post of Director of Music from 2004 to 2007. His other appointments have included Master of the Music at Winchester Cathedral, Master of the Music at Westminster Cathedral and Artistic Director of the Philharmonia Chorus.

Fee: RCO Member £70; RCO Student Member £35; Full time Students £45; ABCD or RSCM members £75; Non-members £85. Conducting supplement £30.