A conducting day of fun for Potton-based choir

Although the morning dawned cold grey and foggy, that certainly didn’t dampen our spirits as we assembled in the Great Hall filled with anticipation and let the fun begin. Every singing session starts with a vocal warm up and it was the first time the conductors heard us in full voice.

Covering a wide range of music styles, we immersed ourselves in fantastic toe-tapping rhythms including the party vibes of Cuba (Peanut Vendor), beautiful lullabies (Golden Slumbers), songs of the stage and screen (You’ll Never Walk Alone, Seventy-Six Trombones) and wonderful soulful spirituals (Climb Up Chillun, This Train and Deep River).

Each volunteer had been provided with two pieces of music and a soundtrack to listen to, in advance of the big day. There were eight trainee conductors; all of whom were studying a wide range of subjects at Homerton College. One by one, they took their place before us and introduced themselves. With a dedicated time slot of 30 minutes, the conductors honed their skills in a fun and interactive masterclass.

Under the watchful eye and gentle encouragement of their mentor, Dr Douglas Coombes MBE the conductors learned how to take a piece of music and breathe life into it. They had the full support of the choir too and the conductors soon flourished, each one developing confidence, individuality, and flair.

The first hurdle is knowing how to set the tempo and get all the singers in together. Then, how on earth does one help the choir to give their best whilst observing changes in volume to add light and shade to the piece? How does one allow the choir time to breathe? Does one conduct the soloist or not? Should the singers sit or stand? How much impact does body language, the silent communicator really have? How can one use word painting to build emotion, create drama and excitement? What is the rule of thumb when it comes to mouthing the words – is this a help or a hindrance? Then there are those pesky repeats. For each element, there are a dizzying number of ways to achieve the desired result.

Then of course, careful consideration must be given to important factors such as correct posture, how high the music stand should be; and what hand position should be used to give energy to the piece and support the singers. An interesting question arose about left-handed conductors too and how they had to adapt the signals for the beat. With all these questions to explore – and so many more, time flew!

Each of the students were invited to join the choir when they were not conducting. There is so much that can be learned by simply watching others. There was certainly no time to get bored.

Before I knew it, we were headed to the dining room to enjoy a most convivial lunch. During the break I was lucky enough to speak to some of the conductors and observers who had joined us for the day – to discover how they had found the experience so far. Speaking of the choir, one participant said “They are all so encouraging.”

Other feedback included “a really interesting day – fascinating to see the different conducting styles.” “I was struck by the non-verbal communication and confidence of the conductors” said another. I was amazed to see for myself just how powerful a conductor’s smile can be – it can change the whole sound of the choir in an instant.

In the afternoon, the remaining three students took their turn at conducting us. The day was an immense challenge for the choir too. We are used to performing the music in a particular way but it is really important to make sure we follow the conductor in front of us, rather than relying on muscle memory to follow the conductor we are most familiar with. This is much easier said than done as it requires a high level of concentration and stamina.

The third and final part of the workshop was an opportunity for the conductors to consolidate all they had learned and put them into practice. This time, the conductors showcased their skills in a final performance under concert conditions. If that wasn’t nerve-wracking enough, for some, it was their first ever attempt at conducting! Their dedication, attention to detail and passion was incredible. If there were any nerves among them, they certainly didn’t show. Instead, they demonstrated passion and professionalism.

It was a great pleasure to work with such a talented group of individuals. Thank you to all who made the day such a rewarding and memorable experience.