Sing For Pleasure – Shaping Choral Futures
The Stoller HallSing for Pleasure is a volunteer-led national singing charity and the UK's largest provider of choral conductor training. 2024 marks...
As part of Manchester Song Festival we’re hosting a full day of workshops for all singers, across a whole range of genres and abilities.
We’re aiming these workshops at a range of levels with something for everyone. If you or have ever been part of a community choir, theatre group or choral society; if you are a music student, or early-career professional, if you’re someone who loves to sing, we’d love you to join us.
Our Atrium bar will be open for drinks and snacks to keep you fully fuelled in-between singing sessions.
FEATURED WORKSHOPS
Find full details of our workshops leaders, including biographies, here.
10am – 11am Yoga with Bethany Moran
Get prepared for a day of singing and learn how yoga can help you in your singing.
“As singers our body is our instrument. Building up awareness of the physical body, mind, breath, energy levels and emotional Self is pivotal for singing from an embodied, authentic place. We will begin the day with grounding the body, breath and mind with a guided meditation, gentle stretches and breath awareness exercises. Taking time to connect inwards, to focus on awakening parts of the body which support the production of sound and tools you can integrate into your own singing practice sessions to ground and arrive into singing from an embodied place. ”
11am – 4pm – Songwriting Workshop
Join singer-songwriter, Liam Frost exploring 21st century creative writing ideas. This full day of workshop and masterclass will involve sharing your existing music with Liam and the group, as well as developing a new song writing techniques that encourage everyday creativity.
11.30am – 1pm – Vocal Health
BAPAM (British Association for Performing Arts Medicine) approved vocal rehabilitation coach Carrie Simone Birmingham of Pro Vox Liverpool will be teaching more about how to take care of your voice while singing. This workshop will include an overview of how your voice works, vocal health tips and practical exercises.
2pm – 3pm – Acting Through Song
This session is an opportunity to explore how we can communicate character, intention and story when we sing – bring along a song (from any genre of music theatre) you’d like to work on, or enjoy watching others developing their performances skills.
2pm- 3pm – Intro to Jazz
Starting with a fun warm-up, this session will involve getting familiar with basic jazz scales, and group activities to build confidence in improvisation, devising licks and riffs and singing/phrasing a Jazz song.
3.30pm – 4.30pm – Introduction to Musical Theatre
Actor, singer and music director Jonathan Ainscough will be teaching you and staging a brilliant song from a classic musical – no prior experience necessary!
4.30-6pm – Vocal Anxiety and performance
Become a confident performer. Deliver a dynamic and authentic performance you’ll be proud of. Understand how you can overcome the fear, self doubt and anxiety that can be associated with performing. In this interactive workshop Line will help you understand what is happening when you get those stage jitters and she will share some strategies to help you manage them.
5pm – 6.30pm – ‘A Synaesthete Sings’
Discover the fascinating world of synaesthesia through a multimedia recital by Margaret McDonald with David Jones at the piano, combined with insight from Music Psychologist, Jane Ginsborg, and images, created by Adrian Horn, to demonstrate Maggie’s fusion of colours and textures with music.
This will be an unforgettable experience that transcends traditional performances.
5pm – 6pm Introduction to Folk
Awen Blandford leads an introduction on folk singing. This workshop will feature warm up round, learning a Welsh work song (with an explanation of welsh pronunciation and lyrics) and a traditional English song, including work on harmonies and accompanying folk steps.
6pm – 7pm – Introduction to Opera
Lead by actor, singer and music director Jonathan Ainscough you will learn and explore an amazing moment from a classic opera.
6.3opm – 7.30pm – RNCM Songsters
The RNCM’s specialist group for art song will take you into the evening with a live performance in our atrium. Grab a drink from the bar and enjoy!
