Directors Education Day 2025

Education Workshop for novice and aspiring directors

"Directing a Barbershop Chorus: A Beginner's Guide"

Venue & Date

Where: Trefoil House, 2 Ellis St, Birmingham, B1 1HL
When: 14 June 2025, 10 am – 4 pm
 

Who is it for?

Are you a barbershopper who is intrigued by the idea of becoming a chorus director, but not entirely sure how to start? Have you just started directing a chorus for the first time and are wondering if you’re doing things right? Then this workshop is for you. Spaces are limited to 16 people, to ensure enough personal instruction time.
 

Curriculum

This one-day workshop is designed to provide your essential starter-kit of skills and knowledge to lead a barbershop chorus in rehearsal and performance. Content will include:
  • Warm-ups and how to build them
  • The role of the director
  • Fundamentals of conducting gesture
  • Rehearsal planning
Additionally, every delegate will have the opportunity to direct the group and receive individual conducting coaching.

The day is open to new and aspiring directors from any barbershop organisation, and will use Clay Hine’s ‘It’s the Music That Brings Us Together’ as the core repertoire for our practical work.
 

Enrolment & deadline


Enrol now!

The form will close at 23:59 on Friday 30th May, or when spaces are filled (limited to 16 people), whichever is sooner.
 

Enrolment fee

The attendance fee for LABBS/BABS members is £15 per person.
The attendance fee for non-members is £30 per person

Note: Refreshments are not included - Bring Your Own food/hot drink flask.
Water will be available, please bring a refillable water bottle.

Following your enrolment submission, an invoice will be sent to you within 7 days with instructions on how to pay.  Please do not attempt to pay before receiving the invoice, however once you have received it you must pay promptly and by the due date in order to secure your place.

Queries
Queries about the day should be sent to directorseducation@labbs.org.uk

If you need help with the enrolment form, please email web@labbs.org.uk. You have a chance on the enrolment form to mention any personal needs, and someone will contact you if necessary to discuss.

 


Directors Education Day 2025

Date:  Saturday  22nd March

Venue:  Meadow Park School, Abbey Rd, Coventry CV3 4BD


Calling all LABBS MDs and AMDs: come and be nourished and inspired by the best community of fellow musicians you could wish for.
 
Who is it for?
This year's Director's Education day was for current frontline Directors and their Assistant Directors only.
 
There were 5 VinH grants available to cover the attendance fee, for which the application deadline has now closed.
 
What was covered on the day?
Our annual directors education event as usual featured interactive class sessions and hands-on practical work, facilitated by our standing LABBS directors faculty team. We had a plenary session exploring the 'Harmonious Leadership' document published for LABBS members (login required) last year, and how it can help us handle challenging situations, and - even better - head them off before they arise.