On the weekend of 11^th and 12^th February, the School hosted a national training event with the music education charity, Sing for Pleasure. 80 singers, conductors and music teachers flocked to FHS from across the country to take part in one of the UK’s best leading programmes in Musical Leadership and Conducting. Participants learned best practice in the leadership of vocal and instrumental ensembles, developing skills in a close-knit learning environment before a massed performance.

Sing for Pleasure’s courses for choral conductors and vocal leaders are delivered in two ways: interactive technique sessions include practical demonstrations of all the key aspects of conducting, and the workshop sessions that follow give participants an enviable amount of time at the podium to put into practice what they have learnt. This is achieved within a joyful, relaxed and supportive learning environment.

Across the multiple levels, a wide variety of music was heard. Filling FHS was glorious music – from rounds and part-songs tailored for children’s choirs and the classroom, to a Masterclass of glorious music from Monteverdi and Vaughan Williams. As well as a broad range of singing courses, an exciting Orchestral Conducting Course took place. We welcomed the professional ensemble, Serafine Orchestra, to play orchestral music from Handel to Mahler. This was a very popular course, giving conductors had the chance to experiment with their gestural language and develop their Orchestral Conducting skills, with advice from a leading conducting tutor and by experimenting with an orchestra in front of them. Like the singing courses, conductors travelled from far and wide to attend – including one excellent conductor who flew especially from Kenya for the course.

As well as welcoming the experienced conducting tutors within Sing for Pleasure, leading on the Masterclass course was Andrea Brown, an internationally acclaimed conductor who leads the Choral Conducting Masters Programme at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. Miss Murata, our very own Music Assistant, who participated in the course and Mr Mercer relished the great opportunity to work with and Music Teachers from across the country and to share ideas. We were delighted that Miss Vickery was able to observe the courses in action and she spoke of the joy of the music-making taking place throughout the school over the weekend.

In the second year of this event taking place at FHS, Mr Mercer, who directed the course, is extremely grateful for the school for their wonderful hospitality. The Facilities Team and Catering Team were so welcoming and participants were particularly impressed by the helpfulness and professionalism of the school, as well as the stand-out quality of the food. Sing for Pleasure is delighted with such a smooth and well-managed event and that we were able to facilitate so much wonderful training. With the help of FHS, Music Teachers and Educators have been able to receive high-quality training which they can put into action to improve the quality of classroom music and music ensembles all across the country!

To find out more about the work of Sing for Pleasure, please visit their website: https://singforpleasure.org.uk/, or feel free to speak to Mr Mercer.