The Path to the Podium
This weekend series of workshops is a music education course for choral conductors.
The need for education of choir conductors in South Africa was identified by a group of American choir conductors whilst on a tour to this country a few years ago.
The Path to the Podium is the result of their sincere desire to do whatever they could to address this need. IPCME was formed and in partnership with Dalene Hoogenhout, conductor of Wits Choir and with the support of Wits University this vision to facilitate choral music education in South Africa launched its pilot programme in 2016 and in 2017 it has culminated in what we foresee will be the first of many annual choral education encounters.
This weekend series of workshops is a music education course for choral conductors. It is aimed at particularly those working at the school level or working with church and community choirs– conductors who may not have had access to formal musical training in the past. It is also an ideal way for aspiring choral conductors to get a solid grounding in this subject matter.
Workshop Topics:
- Path to Conducting Classes - multiple levels
- Path to Choral Repertoire - according to age of choirs and type of repertoire
- Path to Music Literacy - improving individual reading skills
- Path to Teaching Music Literacy - teaching your choir to read
- Path to Vocal Pedagogy – Plenary
- Path to Diction – Plenary
- Path to Rehearsal Techniques - Plenary
Workshop Presenters:
James Meaders
Dr James M. Meaders moved to New York in July 2014 to accept a position with Distinguished Concerts International New York (DCINY), where he is Associate Artistic Director and Conductor. Prior to his appointment at DCINY, he spent 16 years on faculty at Mississippi College, where he was Professor and Director of Choral Activities in the Department of Music.
Alicia W. Walker
Dr Walker is Associate Director of Choral Studies at the University of South Carolina. She conducts two choirs and teaches courses in conducting and music education. She has taught all levels of singers, from children through college students and adults. She is currently President of the Southern Division of the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA).
Carol Joy Sparkman
Carol Joy Sparkman has taught Vocal Diction, Aural Skills, and has directed ensembles at the collegiate level for 25 years and is currently the Choral Director at a high school programme that includes six choirs and various ensembles. She is in demand as a collaborative pianist with vocalists, choral conductors, and professional theatres. In addition to her collaborative skills, she is a vocal coach to singers in a variety of styles.
PRELIMINARY SCHEDULE FOR THE PATH TO THE PODIUM WORKSHOPS
21 - 23 July 2017 and 28 – 30 July 2017
Friday:
09:00 Conducting: Establishing the Foundations
10:00 Developing the Voice through the Choral Warm-up
Singing for Life: Maintaining Vocal Health (pedagogy)
11:30 Break
11: 45 Improving Music Literacy/Teaching Music Literacy
13:00 Lunch
14:00 Rehearsal/ Conducting Master Classes
15:30 Break
16:00 Speaking a Common Language: Diction; Rehearsal
18:00 End
Saturday:
09:00 Rehearsing Effectively/ Rehearsal
11:00 Break
11:30 Improving Music Literacy/Teaching Music Literacy; competition music
13:00 Lunch
14:00 Conducting Master Classes
15:30 Break
16:00 Understanding African Music; Rehearsal
18:00 End
Sunday:
09:00 Rehearsing Efficiently/Rehearsal
11:00 Break
11:30 Evaluating & Teaching Repertoire for 2017-18 Competitions
Introductory material; gather in groups of 2-4 with a faculty/apprentice
13:00 Lunch
14:00 Rehearsal
15:30 Concert preparation
16:30 CONCERT
18:00 Award Ceremony and Reception
Costs for the weekend courses:
The total costs for the weekend course is R 500 for students and R 900 for non-students.
If students register for both weekends, the total cost would amount to R900 and if non-students register for both weekends, the total cost would amount to R1700.
This covers the costs of teaching materials, light meals, a concert and reception afterwards and all refreshments.
Please note that the workshops, the course and the use of the Wits Choir and Wits University facilities have been donated towards the vision of expanding and improving choral music in South Africa.
There are limited spaces available for these courses, so please book early in order to secure your place!
How to register for the course:
- Fill in the IPCME application 2017 and send the completed form before Monday 26 June 2017 with proof of payment to Dalene Hoogenhout at the following addresses:
- Please make payment into the Wits University banking account and email proof of payment and your name and surname as reference to dalene@dalenehoogenhout.info
You will find the Course Registration Form here.
Wits Choir Banking Details are:
Bank - FNB
Name of account – University of Witwatersrand: Sundry Debtors Account
Account number – 62077141580
Branch number – 251905
Questions and queries:
If you have any questions or queries about the conducting course, please phone Dalene on 082 552 5523 or email her at dalene@dalenehoogenhout.info