In the middle of August, 93 singers and 20 staff gathered at Kingswood School, overlooking Bath, for another fantastic week of singing, worship and learning together. Directed by Jennifer Sterling for the first time this year, it was a joy to welcome singers who were attending for the first time and reunite friends who had been meeting at Bath for many years.

We were also joined by two Organ Scholars, who worked with Nicholas Freestone (Course Organist) during the week. They delivered a fantastic organ recital at Bath Abbey on the second day of the course and had the opportunity to accompany the choir in services later in the week.

Two Emerging Leaders – early-career choral directors – benefited from tailored sessions with course staff, developing skills and gaining experience, and worked with the choir (and smaller groups) during the week.

Other highlights included:

• Engagement with a wide range of music – from Lassus, Purcell, Kodaly and Rachmaninov to Eleanor Daley, Paul Mealor and Bob Chilcott – including some excellently delivered solos and small group sections.
• A series of small-group, stage-appropriate, musicianship classes, specifically designed to support music reading, sight-reading and aural skills.
• Daily warm-ups and support with developing good vocal technique.
• The opportunity for participants to have a go at playing the organ and/or conducting.
• A service devised almost entirely by the Chorister Houses (up to c.Year 9) where the singers chose and introduced hymns and readings and wrote and delivered reflections and prayers.
• An (optional!) early morning sing-through of Byrd’s Four Part Mass.

Thank you to all who made this year’s course possible, especially our fantastic staff team who took care of the singers during the week.

We are also very grateful to Aspire Classical Organs, who provided an organ to use in the Kingswood School Chapel, and the Williams Church Music Trust, for supporting the course.