Association of British Choral Directors - ABCD

04/10/2026

Introducing our Convention sessions:
🎺🎻 Working with Instrumentalists with Mark Jordan

Drawing on his extensive experience of working with amateur and professional choirs and orchestras, Mark leads a practical and interactive discussion for choral conductors working with instrumentalists for the first time, or the first few times! Exploring the challenges and opportunities of conducting instrumental ensembles, both with and without a choir, the session will cover score preparation, rehearsal planning, communication and troubleshooting. There will be opportunities to share experiences, discuss common pitfalls, and explore ways to make the transition from purely choral conducting as smooth and rewarding as possible.

📅 17 - 18 October
📍 University of Reading
🎟 Find out more and book Convention here: https://abcd.org.uk/events/40th-annual-convention/

03/10/2026

🎶 We’re looking forward to returning to Tamworth in 2027 to host our Midlands Singing Day with Will Todd Music! Join us for a brilliant day exploring one of Will's new works ‘The Promise’ (2026), as well as 'All Will Be Well'.

📆 13th February 2027, 9.30am - 4.30pm
📍 St Editha's Church, Tamworth, B79 7DA
🎫 £30 non-members, £25 for groups of 6+, £10 for students, discount for abcd members
🔗Book here: https://abcd.org.uk/events/singwithwilltodd2027/

02/10/2026

Singing with National Youth Choir is a great opportunity for young singers, highly recommended! Auditions still available, details below.

Announcing extra audition availability! If you're aged 9-18, you now have until 9am on Tuesday 6 October to book your free audition to join National Youth Choir.

Remaining slots are limited, so book early to avoid disappointment!

01/10/2026

🎶 Introducing our Convention sessions: Harmony Signing: developing musicianship, tuning and blend

Nicholas Bannan shares his pedagogical method for developing blend, tuning and harmonic understanding. is a method for developing musical experience that supports instinctive musicality and acute listening skills. It employs gestures to convey musical relationships that enrich understanding and can be used creatively. Its development of methods derived from Kodály has proved effective in both the classroom and rehearsal studio.

📅 17 - 18 October
📍 University of Reading
🎟 Find out more and book Convention here: https://abcd.org.uk/events/40th-annual-convention/

30/09/2026

🎶Five good reasons to come to Convention!
Conductor Jeremy Haneman gives five reasons for putting our annual weekend for choir leaders in your diary.
📍17 - 18 October, Reading University
Book your place now: https://abcd.org.uk/events/40th-annual-convention/

29/09/2026

🎼 Introducing our Convention sessions: Repertoire Discovery sessions

Looking for new music for your choir? Our convention sessions are full of new pieces to inspire you, including repertoire discovery sessions, with the latest publications from music publishers and member composers. Mark Jordan will lead our session on SATB secular music, Nick Cleobury will lead the session on SATB sacred music and Suzzie Vango will lead our session exploring music for primary school children. All our submitted repertoire is uploaded to our Convention site so that you can explore it afterwards at your leisure.

📅 17 - 18 October
📍 University of Reading
🎟 Find out more and book Convention at the LINK in bio

27/09/2026

Looking for conductor training to improve your skills? Join our London Conducting Weekend in November led by Amy Bebbington and James Davey.

📊 Initial Level - only a few spaces left
🎶 Intermediate Level - still booking
📅 31 October - 1 November 2026
📍 St Marylebone CE School, London, W1U 5BA
🎟 Flexible booking options - attend for a day or the full weekend. abcd members pay a discounted rate

🔗 Book via the LINK in bio

27/09/2026

Yesterday, we had a brilliant singing day with Suzzie Vango exploring upper voice repertoire by Will Todd, Pablo Casals, Sarah Quartel and Suzzie herself!

26/09/2026

Introducing our Convention sessions:
🎶 Commissioning new works for today’s choirs – and performing them

Have you and your committee ever thought about commissioning a new work for your choir but not been sure where to start? Our Saturday afternoon panel session addresses what to consider to ensure a successful experience for you, your choir – and the composer. We’ll also explore practical ways for choirs to perform new works, for example with reduced instrumentation. abcd Vice-President Brian Kay leads our panel of composers and conductors, who include composers Alan Bullard, Bob Chilcott and Janet Wheeler, and conductor Peter Broadbent.

📅 17 - 18 October
📍 University of Reading
🎟 Find out more and book Convention here: https://abcd.org.uk/events/40th-annual-convention/

24/09/2026

Introducing our Convention sessions:
🗣 Unlocking Key Stage Three: Engagement, Energy and Empowering Young Voices with Roughley

Key Stage 3 singing can often feel like a balancing act between overcoming teenage self-consciousness, navigating changing voices, and maintaining musical momentum. Join Matthew Roughley (Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Choir, Hallé Youth Training Choir, National Youth Choir 9-15) for a high-energy, hands-on session packed with practical tools to turn reluctance into enthusiasm. Explore fast-paced warm ups, accessible repertoire choices, and rehearsal strategies designed to keep 11-14 year olds singing with confidence and joy.

📅 17 - 18 October
📍 University of Reading
🎟 Find out more and book Convention here: https://abcd.org.uk/events/40th-annual-convention/
Find out more detail about sessions at https://abcd.org.uk/events/40th-annual-convention/