Education and Training

A sprinkling of Sites - but more should be found ...

Of Choristers Ancient and Modern : A History of Cathedral Choir Schools

Of Choristers is a fascinating elegantly produced and extensive website reviewing the history of choir schools in the UK. The author of the history is Anne Page who was born at Torquay, Devon, in January 1920, and now lives in Bromley:
"(W)hen my eldest son was Bishop’s Chorister at Salisbury Cathedral, I was invited to attend the Cathedral School sports and afterwards the tea in the school refectory, when I had the good fortune to meet the late Dora Robertson, author of the book, Sarum Close. I was telling her how I had read and re-read her book adding that my ambition was to write a book on all the major choir schools of the country. 'Oh you must – you simply must!' was her reply. "It was not for another 10 years or so when my family had all left home that I managed to settle down to it, not realising what a very long job it would be, even when the late Sir John Dykes Bower wrote saying, 'How splendid of you to be planning a book on the history of choir schools, it will be quite a formidable task I should think.' He was right ... "

Choir Schools Association

Choir Schools Association says: "Welcome to the very special world of choir schools ... If you know a child who loves singing please explore our site further. He or she may qualify for one of the most exciting education bargains currently available to 7-13 year olds ..."

Eton Choral Courses

Eton Choral Courses "provide vibrant vocal training and choral experience to enthusiastic young singers.  Originally set up to offer coaching and advice to prospective Oxbridge choral and organ scholars, the concentrated and varied performing experience is of equal benefit to everyone who enjoys singing, no matter what goal is in mind. The courses are concentrated and fun, and an ideal opportunity to perform choral music to a very high standard with like-minded musicians. The age range is from 16 to 20, but others just over 20 are welcome to apply."

Music Education Council

"The Music Education Council - the umbrella body for all organisations connected with music education in the United Kingdom - exists to bring together and provide a forum for those organisations to debate issues affecting music education and to make representation and promote appropriate action at local, national and international level."

Sarum College

Liturgy, Worship and The Arts  "At Sarum College , we are laying the foundation to realise our vision of becoming an international centre for liturgy, worship and the arts. Alongside postgraduate research and studies in these areas, the College is planning to set up seminars with architects, musicians and artists who are interested in studying the connections between these disciplines and Christian theology and worship. The result of these efforts will be outlined in our forthcoming Liturgy and the Arts Launch Conference 30 April to 3 May 2009."

The Liturgical Music Courses

" The Liturgical Music Courses offer splendid opportunities for choral singers to perform in some of England’s most beautiful settings. If you have recent choral experience and possess some sightreading skills, we hope you find something here to inspire you! If you’ve never been on a Liturgical Music Course before, don’t be shy! In 2007 singers came from all over the UK and, in some cases, far beyond. We were joined by choral society singers, members of chamber choirs, professional musicians, teachers... in the words of one of the participants, "How could anyone who sings not want to take part?"."