WEEK TWO 9 – 16 August
The Art of Choral Direction
Amy Bebbington director
with Robert Allan
This course is proudly supported by the Association of British Choral Directors.
The Art of Choral Direction is designed for those who conduct choirs of any sort. Conductors of all levels of experience are welcomed on this course, during which a student’s development will be tailored closely to their own individual needs. Essential elements of conducting technique will be studied with the majority of the course spent in a masterclass situation. Additional opportunities, such as working with a large chorus, working with instrumentalists and singers and conducting in the course concert, will be shared amongst the members of the course.
A week is a short time, but sufficient to examine the nature of the choral conductor’s craft, including how to teach beneficial vocal techniques, how to prepare a score and plan effective rehearsals, how to build a musical relationship with a group, how our language affects our choirs and what it takes to prepare a dynamic performance. It is advised that complete beginners initially attend as observer/singers to absorb the teaching without having to conduct. Conductors of choral societies, chamber choirs, youth choirs, community choirs, church choirs, organ scholars, etc., are all equally welcomed to what will be a demanding, supportive and encouraging learning environment.
Choral singers who wish to develop their sight reading skills are also encouraged to apply. You will be warmly welcomed as a member of the course and be invited to sing for the choral conducting students. A reasonable level of sight reading would be an advantage.
As a new departure for 2026, all participants are asked to acquire all the course music for the purpose of singing it in the class choir. However, you are encouraged to choose repertoire to conduct that best suits your musical level as indicated in the repertoire list, which now has graded definitions : Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, along with a proposed timetable.
All sessions will be filmed by camcorder and students are asked to bring a standard SD memory card to create a record of their work. Pre-preparation of the repertoire is highly recommended.
Repertoire
(from which the Friday course concert will be chosen)
Beginner Repertoire
Bebbington An echo of the spheres (SATB)
Available as a download from: https://www.choralmusicpublishing.co.uk
Emerson Shoshone Love Song (Trad. Native American Lyric)
Available as a free download from: the Admin Office, summermusicschool@btinternet.com
Assersohn A New Heart (SATB)
Available as a download from: https://www.sheetmusicplus.com
from European Sacred Music (Choral Anthology, ed. Rutter) Oxford University Press
Mozart Ave Verum Corpus, K.618
Grieg Ave Maris Stella
Intermediate Repertoire
Runestad I will lift mine eyes (SATB) Boosey & Hawkes Inc.
Available as a download from: https:// www.sheetmusicplus.com
Byrd ed. Gibb Sing Joyfully (SSAATB) CPDL#45212 (free download)
Weelkes Hosanna to the Son of David (SSAATB) IMSLP#388361 (free download)
Ravel from Trois Chansons for mixed choir and accompaniment Durand
Trois beaux oiseaux du paradis (SATB)
from European Sacred Music (Choral Anthology, ed. Rutter) Oxford University Press
Brahms Geistliches Lied, Op.30
Advanced Repertoire
Bebbington Blessed be that Maid Marie (SATB)
Available as a download from: https://www.choralmusicpublishing.co.uk
Weir Love bade me welcome (SATB) Chester
Ravel from Trois Chansons for mixed choir and accompaniment Durand
Nicolette (SATB)
Holst from Choral Hymns from the Rig Veda, Op.26, Set 3
ed Walczak Hymn to the Waters (SSAA) CPDL#59806 (free download)
ed Walczak Hymn of the Travellers (SSAA) CPDL#59808 (free download)
McDowall A Fancy of Folk Songs Oxford University Press
Green Bushes
The Rambling Sailor
The Crystal Spring
O No, John!
The following will be studied with a voluntary choir on Tuesday evening and, in collaboration with the Choral Music of Five Centuries choir, on Saturday morning.
(Intermediate Repertoire)
from In the Mood (Choral Anthology, ed. Blackwell and Carter) Oxford University Press
Gershwin/Ford/Gershwin I got rhythm
Arlen/Harburg Somewhere over the Rainbow
Porter Let’s do it
Rodgers/Hart Blue Moon
Kosma/Mercer Autumn Leaves
Gershwin/Heyward Summertime
Waller/Brooks/Razaf Ain’t Misbehavin
The following will be studied with a voluntary choir and orchestra on Wednesday afternoon.
(Advanced Repertoire)
Handel ed. Watkins Shaw from Dixit Dominus Novello
No.1 The Lord said unto my Lord:
No.4 The Lord swore, and will not repent:
No.6 The Lord upon thy right hand.
No.7 He shall judge the nations.
Please note. The summer school does not have a music shop on site. Students should acquire their course materials before they arrive at the school either from their local music shop or from our nominated internet supplier, Forsyth Music. The following address will take you straight to the Sherborne Summer School of Music section of Forsyth’s website where you will find the purchasable music for your course ready to buy: https://www.forsyths.co.uk/189389-sherborne-summer-school-2026
Added extra – open to all members of the summer school
Choral Workshop 2
Brahms, German Requiem, Op.45
Amy Bebbington conductor
As an added extra, on Sunday evening the 9 August, Amy Bebbington will direct an open rehearsal with orchestra of Brahms German Requiem, Op.45. All members of the school are welcome and encouraged to take part, copies will be provided.
Other conducting courses at Sherborne this summer
Practical Conducting Course (2 – 9 August)
Wind Conducting (2 – 9 August)
The George Hurst Conducters’ Course (9 – 16 August)
Choral courses at Sherborne this summer
Cappella Chamber Choir (2 – 9 August)
The Lighter Side Choral Course (9 – 16 August)
Choral Masterpieces of Five Centuries (9 – 16 August)