RSCM Courses in the UK:
Choral Conducting Course 2026
A four-day course taking place on select Saturdays from September to November 2026 at the Charterhouse in London, led by Manvinder Rattan – one of the UK’s most experienced conductor trainers.
“Manvinder is an extraordinarily effective trainer of conductors, whether they be just starting out or more experienced. His ‘can do’ approach, allied to innate sensitivity and humour, together with an ability to convey the essentials of a cast-iron technique, inspires and enables all who work with him.”
Simon Toyne – Executive Director of Music for the David Ross Education Trust
The course runs 09:30-16:30 on the following Saturdays in 2026:
Saturday 12th September
Saturday 10th October
Saturday 7th November
Saturday 14th November
Course participants are required to attend every Saturday course day.
Details
Course Information
Course Summary
The new and exciting RSCM Choral Conducting Course will upskill church music leaders, giving them the key skills to effectively lead their choirs and further enrich worship in their churches.
The course is open to any church musician who wishes to learn how to direct choirs better, both experienced and novice. Teaching will be adapted to suit individual needs, showcasing Manvinder’s extensive knowledge across amateur and professional settings.
Booking is open to all kinds of church musicians and music leaders including choir directors, singing teachers, educators and outreach workers. Keyboard skills are not a prerequisite for this course.
Course Dates
Saturday 12th September
Saturday 10th October
Saturday 7th November
Saturday 14th November
All course days run 09:30-16:30. Course participants are required to attend every Saturday course day.
Course Location
This course will be held at the Charterhouse, a historic complex of buildings in Clerkenwell, London, dating from the 14th century.
With excellent facilities and easy public transport connections (nearest Underground stations: Barbican and Farringdon), the Charterhouse is an excellent location for a focused and fun course.
Course Aims
By the end of the course, participants should be able to:
1. Understand how to get their music and gesture thoroughly prepared.
2. Know each vocal part well enough to accurately vocally model it.
3. Keep their teaching pacy and electively lead a rehearsal whilst making it fun.
4. Deploy a range of simple, clear and meaningful conducting gestures.
5. Get a musical performance from even the simplest repertoire.
6. Evaluate their own achievements, and learn from the work of others, in a positive way.
Course Fees
| Fee Type | Cost per person | Availability |
|---|---|---|
| RSCM Member | £250 | *available* |
| Non-member | £300 | *available* |
Find out more about becoming an RSCM Member.
Bursaries are available to help with the cost of course fees in cases of financial need. Bursary applicants will need to demonstrate how their participation in this course would have a positive impact on their church or choir. To find out more and make an application, please email education@rscm.com.
Course Booking
To book a place on the course, please follow the ‘Online Booking’ link below.
Places are limited to 10 course participants and places will be offered on a first come first served basis.
Upon booking, you will be charged a 20% deposit of the full course fee. Please note, your place on the course is provisional until your course booking has been reviewed and confirmed by the RSCM. Once your course booking has been reviewed confirmed, you will then be charged the remaining 80% of the course fee.
Those who are unable to get secure place on the course may be offered a place as a course observer, offering the opportunity to observe the course teaching and also contribute to the course as a singer. Course observer places will be offered with a reduced fee.
Manvinder Rattan - Course Director
Manvinder Rattan is one of the U.K.’s most experienced conductor trainers with a considerable track record of success in both choral and orchestral training. He spent 25 years as a tutor for Sing for Pleasure–the latter 17 years as its Head of Conductor training–in which time the courses became accredited by the ABRSM and participant numbers reached an all-time high with unprecedented approval ratings.
As a a highly experienced conductor trainer with a strong track record of success, Manvinder’s training is based on a cumulative acquisition of key fundamental skills that allow every conductor to express themselves in a personalised, clear and motivating way. As a teacher with over 25 years of experience, Manvinder draws on extensive knowledge across amateur and professional settings. Manvinder’s conducting students have gone on to substantially influence the choral vitality of our country, and his training has extended as far afield as France, India and Kenya. Manvinder is pleased to be working as a mentor for Black Lives in Music, supporting emerging musical talent from black and ethnic minority communities.
