Eton Choral Courses
Ralph:
Participants from an Eton Choral Course
I began these courses when Director of Music at Uppingham in 1980 to give help to would-be choral scholars who needed guidance. A large proportion of the 35 singers who arrived that year included musicians who are now well established in the music profession, and made up an excellent choir. Barry Rose joined us for the second course in 1981, and was so impressed that he suggested that we should broadcast an evensong live on Radio Three. This has since remained a regular feature of the summer courses. Last year we had grown to five week-long courses with a total of 300 singers, organists and observers. One recent participant wrote to us: "It was quite honestly the most intensely demanding, rewarding, and happiest week of my life..." The main emphasis of each course lies in the choir made up of all participants: about 20 sopranos, 12 altos and counter-tenors (and mezzos), 12 tenors, and 16 basses. The main choir concentrates on preparing music for two Evensong services, one of which is usually sung on a visit to an Oxford or Cambridge College Chapel. Music performed by the smaller groups can vary from a motet to close harmony. We make full use of Eton's wonderful buildings. Richard Morrison in The Times, June 12th 2001, said, "If they are already interested in choral singing, they won't get a better or more enjoyable week of tuition anywhere on the planet".
More Information:
More information on the Choral Courses can be found at:
Eton Choral Courses 2008
Course 1
Eton College
Friday 4th July to Saturday 12th JulyCourse 2
Eton College
Sunday 13th July to Monday 21st JulyCourse 3
Eton College
Tuesday 22nd July to Wednesday 30th JulyCourse 4
Malvern College (tbc)
Friday 1st August to Saturday 9th AugustCourse 5
St Peters, Oxford
Monday 11th August to Tuesday 19th AugustCourse 6
Trinity, Cambridge (tbc)
Wednesday 20th August to Thursday 28th AugustPress
"The standard of choral music in cathedral and collegiate foundations has never been higher. This is in part due to the dedicated work of Ralph Allwood, whose Eton Choral Courses have for many years provided young people, particularly aspiring choral scholars, with the highest quality training in vocal and choral techniques."
-The Hexam Courant, England"Ralph Allwood, the finest trainer of young choirs in the country today … the Eton Choral Courses bring 250 teenagers to Eton college each summer. The best are then selected for a group called the Rodolfus Choir that gives concerts under Allwood's direction in London and at regional festivals."
- The Times, London"Congratulations to Ralph Allwood and the choir for their splendid singing this morning. These were stunning, creative performances, far beyond mere accuracy, balance and clear diction. If only the BBC allowed us to hear such singing each day, it would lift our hearts.
Bernard Keeffe
(speaking about the 2007 3rd Choral Course Broadcast)
President, Bournemouth Symphony Chorus. Former Music Director of the international choral and orchestral festival, Jugend und Musik, Vienna.