
Community Choir Leadership Course
March 23 @ 6:00 pm - March 31 @ 10:00 am

Led by Candy Verney
23rd to 31st March 2023
“I adored every single bit. It soothed and comforted and pushed and challenged. It took me to the heart of my fears and out the other side. There was nothing I couldn’t use. The protective loving atmosphere you and Robin create is utterly unique and has held us so safe, allowing us to go to… and through… and past dangerous territory. Thank you for giving us so much of yourselves.” Jessie Ceridigion, Wales April 2022
This course will give you skills to run singing workshops in a wide variety of community settings. But singing in this way, opens the heart, and for many, leads them also on a transformational journey.
It is a hands-on, practical course which includes philosophy, theory and lively discussion where appropriate. There are no entry requirements and you don’t need to be able to read music. However it will be most useful to people who have had experience in some areas of music: singing in choirs, but also teaching or other musical settings. All musical experience is helpful.
“Tranformational. This course, this environment, the land, Candy’s style of deep listening and ability to create a safe container for vulnerability has helped me recognize my own fears that hold me back from living my full creative potential. The wealth of Candy’s experience coupled with her sensitivity to the group made it easy to experiment with teaching styles and let me feel comfortable to try thing out and make mistakes.” Fran Haverfordwest, Wales April 2022
Click here to see more testimonials on our Youtube Channel
The course includes:
- Philosophy and principles
- Warm Ups
- How to teach a song in parts
- How to develop a song
- Ways to improve the quality of the singing
- Building the dynamics of the group
- Improvisation
- Teaching Practice
- Join in and observe Candy run a session for her choir
The 4 training days will be spread out over the week. In between those days, students will be required to spend time putting newly acquired skills into practice, by teaching the choir formed by the student group. This enhances the value of the course, and quickly builds students’ confidence. Students found it invaluable to have those times to practice together, pooling expertise and ideas.
Candy will be drawing on over 40 years’ experience of teaching in a wide range of settings:
⦁ Setting up and directing a set of five ‘Singing in the Round’ community choirs, over 15 years
⦁ 7 years directing her performance choir Sounding It Out
⦁ 3 years teaching a singing toddler’s group
⦁ The Trowbridge Song Project. A 2 year Arts Council Funded multi-cultural community project
⦁ Singing on the Wild Side- week long singing holidays on islands around UK and Ireland over 15 years
⦁ Work in schools, Early Years, Steiner education, nursing homes and work in the corporate world.
⦁ The Pan-European choir, started in 2017
⦁ Cór and Chroí- a local Irish choir, started inn 2016
“What you and Robin have created at the Song House is incredibly special, unique, valuable and truly magnificent. I knew this from being here before and why I wanted to return. The lessons and experiences I have had this week will sustain me for a long time and the changes that are taking place within me will continue and deepen as I return to my communities, family and friends. Thank you with deep gratitude”Carol from Austin, Texas April 2022
Pricing
Accommodation is available at The Song House (with a limited number of single rooms, and some shared rooms) or nearby locally.
En Suite – shared twin room | €1290 per person |
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En Suite – single | €1630 per person |
Shared twin room | €1050 per person |
Single Room in Song House or bearby BnB | €1370 per person |
Non-residential price (includes all meals) | €950 per person |