Russell Scott proudly presents
Inspiring Workshop Leaders.
Inspiring Choirs.
The UK Choir Festival is Open to All
Highlights from Manchester 2024 - The 25th Festival Event!
ENJOY EARLY BIRD DISCOUNTS
Enjoy EXTRA discount off all tickets until Friday 12th April 2024
Hold tickets for 14 days whilst you finalise numbers and collect ticket monies from choir members.
Ready to complete your booking ? Click here to enter your details and finalise your ticket order.
Experience The UK Choir Festival
WATCH OUR VIDEO
Community Choirs ~ Gospel Choirs ~ Youth & School Choirs ~ Glee Clubs ~
Choral Societies ~ Chamber Choirs ~ Barbershop Choirs and more
Launched in 2016, The UK Choir Festival has been hailed by American Express Essentials as “One of the most ‘Awe-Inspiring Choral Festivals of the World’. We have welcomed over 5000 attendees since its conception from over 200 choirs. The festival aims to support, train and bring choirs together in a great setting where they can learn, develop and thrive.
The festival is designed for choirs of all abilities, ages and style, no matter whether you are a local community choir, a cappella choir, school or university choir, gospel choir, choral society or barbershop choir. If you sing….. you’re welcome!
Choir love being part of this exciting and dynamic festival, where learning and making great music is at its heart. Choirs of all sizes attend from as small as a quartet to those with 100+ members, and individuals can also attend without their choirs if they choose do so.
The UK Choir Festival is produced to give choirs the opportunity to be taught by some of the best workshop leaders in the UK, in a supportive, informative, collaborative, non-competitive and inspiring conference-style setting. It involves practical and method teaching, and everyone is involved as we work on vocal technique, performance, stage craft, blend and balance, language, and work on new styles and genres of singing.
Attendees watch and take part in a series of workshops led by our experts who then come together for a joint session in the afternoon. There’s lots of singing, lots of great music-making and a lot of fun to be had – attendees come away feeling uplifted, excited and ready to work on the what they have learned.
The festival is non-competitive, but very much ‘hands-on’ for everyone to watch and learn from each other. At the end of each day, choirs get the opportunity to perform (if they choose to) in front of each other and the panel of workshop leaders who give each choir written constructive critique to help them leave with confidence, ambition and improved skills.
Ireland, Iceland, India and the United States
The Joint Session
The festival includes The Joint Session where our 4 amazing workshop leaders come together for a 75min session working on a single piece in mass and masterclass styles. This collaborative session brings together the talent and expertise of all our workshop leaders of the day in an engaging and hugely interactive session for everyone to enjoy.
Even more with Platinum
Platinum Sessions have always played a big part in the festival with invaluable 1-2-1 feedback and Q & A with our workshop leaders. Don’t miss the opportunity at the end of the festival day to have your own 40min session filled with invaluable advice from our exceptional team of experts.
From Pop and Gospel to Classical, Vocal Tecnhnique and Performance,
there is something for everyone at the UK Choir Festival
The UK Choir Festival has worked with some of the best workshop leaders in the UK
Upcoming Events
Our Flagship Weekend is Back!
ST ALBANS
SAT 19TH & SUN 20TH OCTOBER 2024
ATTEND ONE DAY OR BOTH DAYS
9am – 6pm (7pm for Platinum ticket holders)
Featuring
The Festival Schedule will be announced shortly
- St Albans 19/10/24
- St Albans 20/10/24
- 08:30
Registration
- 09:00
Festival Welcome
Presented by Founder and Producer of the UK Choir Festival, Russell Scott.
- 09:15
Morning Warm Up
This inviogorating and lively warmup to start the day off, led by one of our esteemed workshop leaders.
- 09:30
- Matthew Roughley
Harmonic Exploration with Matthew Roughley
Ever wondered what makes your favourite songs so great? Chances are that it’s something to do with a stunning chord sequence. Join vocal director and arranger Matthew Roughley in this engaging and practical workshop where you will learn arrangements of your favourite pop songs, receive top vocal tips and dive into the harmony that makes those iconic melodies sing!
- 10:30
Morning Break
- 10:50
- Ula Weber
The Magic of Choir Leading with Ula Weber
Your choir leader is amazing, and your choir sounds awesome. Nice work! But have you ever looked at your choir leader and wondered how they get their hands to wave about like that? What does it all mean and how do they get you to sing with just a few, seemingly magic, gestures? Join choral leader and Sing for Pleasure conducting tutor, Ula Weber as she leads you on an enlightening and fun journey, demystifying this sophisticated method of communication. Try your hand at some simple choral leading techniques and explore some of the teaching methods that you didn’t even know you needed from your choir leader. You’ll never take your conductor for granted again!
- 11:50
- Steve Cook
Rhythm Nations with Steve Cook
Join specialist music teacher, choral director and arranger Steve Cook for an energetic and dynamic workshop exploring some infectious chants and catchy melodies from different genres - all designed to get you ‘into the groove’ and whip you into ‘Shape of You’. Steve will ensure the ‘rhythm is gonna get you’ with some layered riff-based pieces, syncopated African songs, world music chants and some uplifting pop and soul choruses. After this lively session, you’ll have your finger on the pulse and ‘feel like dancing’ back to your own choir rehearsals!
- 12:50
Lunch Break & Rehearsals
Choirs will be allocated slots during the extended lunch break to rehearse in preparation for the afternoon Performance Session.
- 14:10
Afternoon Warm Up
Before the afternoon session kicks off, one of our workshop leaders will get your voices warmed up once again, ready for the final workshops.
- 14:20
- Volney Morgan
The Gospel Workshop with Volney Morgan
Curious about the transformative power of gospel music? Ready to experience the contagious energy of one of Europe's most energetic gospel leaders? Explore the joyous sounds of gospel as Volney Morgan leads you on a journey of inspiration and celebration!
- 15:20
Afternoon Break
- 15:40
- All Workshop Leaders
The Joint Session
This final workshop is a collaboration by all the workshop leaders of the day working on one single piece in a Masterclass format, whilst giving everyone the opportunity to take part. Putting together all the learnings of the day, this session is aimed at consolidating whilst giving choirs the opportunity to work with all 4 workshop leaders at the same time.
- 17:00
Mini Break
- 17:10
The Performance Session
The Performance Session is often one of the festival's highlights. Choirs take to the stage to perform whilst being adjudicated by our panel of workshop leaders, giving positive and constructive feedback in written form to help choirs develop and thrive even more than ever before.
- 17:55
Festival Finale
- 18:00
The Platinum Sessions*
Platinum Sessions have always played a big part in the festival with invaluable 1-2-1 feedback and Q & A with our workshop leaders. We are excited to expand this further as we split the sessions into 2, so each choir receives 2x 20min sessions each with 2 workshop leaders, giving more value than ever before and much less waiting time as we work on 2 sessions at a time.
- 19:00
Close
* Platinum Ticket Holders only
- 08:30
Registration
- 09:00
Festival Welcome
Presented by Founder and Producer of the UK Choir Festival, Russell Scott.
- 09:15
Morning Warm Up
This inviogorating and lively warmup to start the day off, led by one of our esteemed workshop leaders.
- 09:30
- Suzzie Vango
Exploring the Voice with Suzzie Vango
Join Suzzie Vango, international vocal coach, composer and co-author of the award winning ultimate choral warm-up book, 'How to make your choir sound awesome', as she takes you through a vocal exploration. With a focus on vocal technique, aural skills and - most importantly - fun, Suzzie will take you through your paces with a mix of fun vocal exercises, traditional and contemporary pieces, improvisation, adding harmonies and really exploring your voice to its full potential.
- 10:30
Morning Break
- 10:50
- Craig Lees
Don't Stop the Pop with Craig Lees
Singing rock and pop repertoire with your choir is now more popular than ever. But how do you ensure your performances truly stand out? In this exciting workshop we'll explore the secrets to crafting dynamic, authentic, and stylistically aware performances that both your choir and audiences will love. Together we will dive into the tools and techniques needed for singing, performing, and arranging Contemporary Commercial Music (CCM) with your choir and we'll create a fun and engaging musical arrangement that you can take back to your choir and enjoy singing.
- 11:50
- Emily Dickens
The A Cappella Masterclass with Emily Dickens
Explore the different vocal colours, techniques and instrumental sounds fundamental in creating exciting a cappella in this workshop with leading choral director and soprano Emily Dickens. Learn how to underpin the ensemble as the bass, establish a groove and swing, approach stylistic vocal percussion and harmonise with beautiful blend through interesting, challenging and fun arrangements. Expect to dance out of the hall singing!
- 12:50
Lunch Break & Rehearsals
Choirs will be allocated slots during the extended lunch break to rehearse in preparation for the afternoon Performance Session.
- 14:10
Afternoon Warm Up
Before the afternoon session kicks off, one of our workshop leaders will get your voices warmed up once again, ready for the final workshops.
- 14:20
- Howard Francis
The Gospel Workshop with Howard Francis
Howard Francis is one of the UK’s finest gospel songwriters. With over 40 years experience working with choirs, he knows exactly how to create those amazing gospel harmonies. Having helped to pioneer the famous London Community Gospel Choir, he now heads up The BIG Sing Choir. Come along and learn some gospel singing techniques with that popular Norman Hutchins classic gospel song: I Really Love You. Howard is ready to teach you all the nuances of singing gospel. He will work on how sing with phrasing and dynamics as well as creating that rich gospel sound. Don’t miss this one!
- 15:20
Afternoon Break
- 15:40
- All Workshop Leaders
The Joint Session
This final workshop is a collaboration by all the workshop leaders of the day working on one single piece in a Masterclass format, whilst giving everyone the opportunity to take part. Putting together all the learnings of the day, this session is aimed at consolidating whilst giving choirs the opportunity to work with all 4 workshop leaders at the same time.
- 17:00
Mini Break
- 17:10
The Performance Session
The Performance Session is often one of the festival's highlights. Choirs take to the stage to perform whilst being adjudicated by our panel of workshop leaders, giving positive and constructive feedback in written form to help choirs develop and thrive even more than ever before.
- 17:55
Festival Finale
- 18:00
The Platinum Sessions*
Platinum Sessions have always played a big part in the festival with invaluable 1-2-1 feedback and Q & A with our workshop leaders. We are excited to expand this further as we split the sessions into 2, so each choir receives 2x 20min sessions each with 2 workshop leaders, giving more value than ever before and much less waiting time as we work on 2 sessions at a time.
- 19:00
Close
* Platinum Ticket Holders only
All workshops and workshop leaders correct at time of press but subject to change
Great Options... Great Value
GOLD
FOR CHOIRS AND THEIR CHOIR DIRECTORS-
Unreserved Seating
-
Access to all workshops
-
Complimentary Festival Programme
-
Opportunity to Perform
-
Performance Feedback
-
Complimentary Refreshments
PLATINUM
FOR CHOIRS AND THEIR CHOIR DIRECTORS-
Unreserved Seating
-
Access to all workshops
-
Complimentary Festival Programme
-
Opportunity to Perform
-
Performance Feedback
-
Complimentary Refreshments
-
Priority Seating
-
1-2-1 Platinum Session with Workshop Leaders
GENERAL ADMISSION
FOR THOSE NOT ATTENDING WITH THEIR CHOIR-
Unreserved Seating
-
Access to all workshops
-
Complimentary Festival Programme
-
Complimentary Refreshments
WEEKEND DISCOUNT - BOOK BOTH DAYS AND SAVE 15%
ENJOY EARLY BIRD DISCOUNTS
Enjoy an EXTRA discount off all tickets until Friday 12th April 2024
Hold tickets for 14 days whilst you finalise numbers and collect ticket monies from choir members.
Ready to complete your booking ? Click here to enter your details and finalise your ticket order.
Prices thru 31st December 2024.
Information:
General Admission tickets are for guests only and those not attending with their choir. General admission tickets are seated individually.
* A 3.5% booking fee is applied to all bookings at the time of purchase. All prices are inclusive of VAT.
Bookings are non-refundable, non-transferrable and non-exchangeable unless the event is cancelled.
Terms and conditions apply.
FAQ
Choir leaders should book their attendees in a group booking selecting the correct ticket type. Additional tickets can be purchased at any time up to the event, a code will be sent post-purchase to use when adding extra attendees. Choir leaders should purchase the same ticket type as their choir, unless attending on their own without their choir in which case they need a Choir Leader ticket. Attendees who are attending without their choir should purchase a General Admission ticket. GOLD and PLATINUM tickets have a minimum order of 8 tickets.
There is nothing to learn or prepare for the festival. All music taught will be done by either rote or with lyrics/music printed in our complimentary festival programme which is given to all attendees upon arrival. We do not use an OHP to ensure maximum engagement at all our events.
Choirs have the option of performing. We encourage all choirs to perform, and whilst it is not mandatory, choirs get a fantastic experience from doing so, as almost all choirs perform. Choirs are welcome to perform a cappella, with acoustic instruments (a grand piano is available for use) or backing track. Pianists who are playing for choirs but not attending the full day will not need a ticket (unless arriving before the performance session), but we must be notified in advance of their attendance. Shortly before the festival choir leaders will be requested to submit details of their performance. Performances are non-competitive, but are constructively critiqued by our workshop leaders in written form (this is not X-Factor!). Notes are handed directly to choir leaders at the end of the event.
We offer a limited number of Platinum Sessions where choirs can benefit from a 40min 1-2-1 session (or 2x 20min sessions) with our workshop leaders, to work on the notes from their performance, ask questions, and get direct support and guidance from our experts.
Attendees are welcome to take photographs (without the use of flash). Filming is NOT permitted. All events are filmed professionally and made available via our App on our RED platform around 2 weeks after the event.
The festival is non-residential but we have travel partners who can help with any accommodation or travel requirements. Please contact us for more information.
There is good parking at all our venues along with access for coaches and buses. Full details are provided in the information packs available shortly before the event.
All venues are disabled-friendly and have accessibility for all attendees. We ask choir leaders to notify us within good time of any disabled access requirements so we can accommodate them and ensure a great experience for everyone. Whilst we cannot guarantee seating or special requests, we will do everything possible to accommodate. Disabled parking is also available but subject to capacity.
For any other questions please Contact Us.
Our Proud Partners
CHOIR DIRECTOR
FOR CHOIR DIRECTORS WHEN ATTENDING WITHOUT THEIR CHOIR-
Unreserved Seating
-
Access to all workshops
-
Complimentary Festival Programme
-
Complimentary Refreshments
-
Priority Seating
SILVER
FOR CHOIRS AND THEIR CHOIR DIRECTORS-
Unreserved Seating
-
Access to all workshops
-
Complimentary Festival Programme
-
Opportunity to Perform
-
Performance Feedback