Choral Music Classes
All Choral Classes will be held on Saturday 12th October
Choral Secretary - Mrs Ruth Wells
Choirs and ensembles must provide their own accompanist for all Choral classes
NB The conductor of a choral group IS NOT ALLOWED to sing with his or her Choir during competitions.
Please note. Class 405 Choral Recital, is now fully subscribed so we will not be able to accommodate any further entries for the class.
CLASS 400 Junior Choirs & Ensembles, 8 years and under Fee: £25.00
To perform two pieces of their own choice to show a contrast of styles
See Regulation 1(h)
Time limit: 6 minutes
CLASS 401 Junior Choirs & Ensembles, 12 years and under Fee: £25.00
To perform two pieces of their own choice to show a contrast of styles
See Regulation 1(h)
Time limit: 10 minutes
CLASS 402 Youth Choirs & Ensembles, 21 years and under Fee: £25.00
To perform two pieces of their own choice to show a contrast of styles
See Regulation 1(h)
Time limit: 10 minutes
CLASS 403 Vocal Ensemble, Open Fee: £25.00
3-12 voices only
To perform two pieces of their own choice to show a contrast of styles
See Regulation 1(h)
Time limit: 10 minutes
CLASS 405 CHORAL RECITAL (Excluding Barbershop) Class Fully Subscribed
First Prize: £100 Second Prize £50
16 - 45 voices
Open to Ladies’ Choirs, Male Voice Choirs and Mixed Voice Choirs (including Church and Chapel Choirs)
Choirs to perform a programme of three contrasting pieces
See Regulation 1(h)
Time limit: 15 minutes
NB. The Committee reserves the right to close the entries to a class when the seating capacity of the venue has been reached.
MUSIC ADJUDICATORS WILL INCLUDE:
Dr. Andrew Padmore MA, D Mus, FTCL, FLCM, LRAM, ARCM, ARCO(CHM), FRSA, FISM
Andrew studied with Sidney Harrison, Christopher Robinson, Sir Adrian Boult. He has been Head of Music in a large Grammar School, a Cathedral Organist and Master of Choristers, and a Conductor of Choirs and Choral Societies worldwide. As well as being an adjudicator for The British and International Federation of Festivals, he is an examiner of Diplomas for ABRSM. Andrew is also a teacher of singing who gives master-classes and workshops for singers and choirs. He is a regular Conductor for Yorkshire Voices, and Yorkshire Philharmonic and a guest conductor for Orchestras and Choirs Internationally. He also regularly accompanies singers in recitals and gives organ recitals.
Angela Rowley BA(Hons), ARCM, PGCE, MISM
Angela is a graduate in German from University College, London and after a period in teaching, began private singing training with, among others, Paul Hamburger, leading to the ARCM and a successful singing career. Angela has performed throughout the UK and Europe and performs periodically in recital, concert and oratorio. For several years Angela taught singing in a large comprehensive school and later in a Sixth Form College where she formed a choir, assisted in the production of musicals and initiated the development of music in the curriculum for students with both mild and severe learning difficulties. Angela has a private practice, leads residential workshops and masterclasses and is Musical Director of Eccles Community Choir and co-ordinator and MD of Harmony ’96 choir. In 2019 Angela was a finalist in the Francesca Hanley 'Inspirational Teacher of the Year' awards sponsored by the Musicians' Union. Angela is a fellow of the Incorporated Society of Musicians and an adjudicator with the British and International Federation of Festivals and is happy to adjudicate online festivals.
John Foster GNSM, LRAM, PGCE, FISM
John studied piano with Kendall Taylor and Dennis Matthews (masterclasses). He has worked extensively as accompanist for singers and instrumentalists and in chamber groups, including the Lydian Trio. He has performed in UK, Jersey, France, Germany and Hong Kong, (including radio broadcasts). John taught for 16 years at RNCM Junior College and is a former Director of St Cecilia Chamber Music Trust. Currently, he performs, teaches/coaches pianists and singers, is an adjudicator for The British and International Federation of Festivals and is an ABRSM grade and diploma examiner, trainer and moderator, nationally and internationally. John is happy to adjudicate at online festivals.
Michael Dow MA Hons (Cambridge), BA Hons (Cambridge) ALCM.
Michael Dow studied Music at Christ’s College Cambridge, where he held a Choral Scholarship and was Principal Conductor of the Cambridge University Symphony Orchestra for four years. He has taught previously at Chetham’s School of Music and Caterham School and is Director of Music at Stockport Grammar School, a post he has held for over 18 years. His main performing interest is as conductor. He has conducted numerous choirs and orchestras across the Northwest such as Stockport Symphony Orchestra, Cheshire Sinfonia, Manchester Chorale, Northern Baroque Orchestra and Bowdon Parish Church Choir. He has also sung regularly as a bass with the Daily Service Singers. He loves all different styles of music and, in addition to conducting choirs, bands and orchestras, greatly enjoys musically directing shows. These have
included musicals such as Chicago, Oliver, Annie, Guys and Dolls, Fiddler on the Roof, Godspell and Wizard of Oz in recent
years. He has helped to lead a number of music trips and tours, which have included visits to Germany, Belgium, Austria, Spain, Italy, Holland and several parts of the UK. He also enjoys accompanying pupils on the piano, teaching pupils of all ages and sharing his passion for music with as many pupils as possible.
Joan Foster GNSM, ARCM, PGCE, PGCA, FISM
For 13 years, Joan was ‘cello teacher and lecturer in String Teaching at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. She has been a seminar/workshop leader for several LEAs and for the European String Teachers’ Association in UK and Europe. Joan is a former Director of the St Cecilia Chamber Music Trust and was the cellist in the Lydian Trio. She currently teaches strings and piano and is Director of the Alverton Singers. As well as being an Adjudicator for The British and International Federation of Festivals, she is a grade/diploma examiner and trainer for ABRSM, nationally and internationally. Joan is happy to adjudicate at online festivals.