LABBS is committed to providing quality education for directors and music team members, recognising that these people are central to ensuring the future development of the Association.

Fellowship of Directors (FoD)

Held in February each year. This has developed into an event for directors and music team members. Åse Hagerman, Tom Gentry, Gillyanne Kayes and Doug Harrington have all been guest educators in the past. This event is heavily subsidised by LABBS. The aim of this event is to look at the wider skills needed by directors and music team members.

LABBS Harmony College

There are classes specifically for directors and music team members led by experienced LABBS directors and members of the judging team.

Bespoke Training

LABBS coaches are willing to design bespoke training events for directors and their music teams.

Other training

From time to time LABBS runs director days in locations around the country.

We also work in close collaboration with BABS who offer the following opportunities for director training:

BABS Directors' College

BABS "DC" is held in January each year catering for novice directors/music team members to experienced directors. The main focus is directing skills but it also considers issues around leadership and coaching skills. LABBS subsidises attendance at this event each year for several LABBS members. This is a great place for novice or would be directors to learn about the basics of directing. Joyce Stroud (E&J Chair), attended Directors' College in 2007 and was very impressed with how supportive DC is to novice directors.

BABS Harmony College

BABS HC is held each year in August, at Worcester University. There is a Beginning Directing steam focusing on hand skills and teaching skills - a great place to get a taster of what it takes to be a director as this stream runs for half the weekend. Other streams allow directors to study such things as: music theory; coaching skills and presentation. Several LABBS members attend this event each year.

BABS Director Certification

There is a huge amount of information available to LABBS directors through enrolment on this programme. It is a holistic programme designed to develop the skills directors need to be successful. Several LABBS members are already enrolled on the programme. More information is available on the BABS Chorus Directors Website

Several LABBS judges and directors teach at these events. Paula Williams, a LABBS Singing Judge and Director of Belles of Three Spires, is part of the DC Steering team and the Director Certification team. She is happy to answer any questions you may have about any of these events. Please contact her at paula@singwell.me.uk