Sherborne
Summer School of Music
2026
The Art of Choral Direction 9th to 16th August
Amy Bebbington Course Director
with Robert Allan
This course is designed for those who conduct choirs of any sort. Conductors of all levels of experience are welcomed, 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 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 and 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
This course is proudly supported by the Association of British Choral Directors
Bebbington
Emerson
Assersohn
ed. Rutter
Intermediate Repertoire
Runestad
Byrd ed. Gibb
Weelkes (Landscape)
Ravel
ed. Rutter
Advanced Repertoire
Bebbington
Weir
Ravel
Holst
McDowall
An echo of the spheres (SATB)
Shoshone Love Song (Trad. Native American Lyric)
A
New Heart SATB
from European Sacred Music (Choral Anthology)
Mozart
Ave Verum Corpus K.618
Grieg Ave Maris Stella
I will lift mine eyes (SATB) pub.Boosey & Hawkes Inc
Sing Joyfully (SSATBB)
Hosanna to the Son of David (SSAATB)
from Trois Chansons for mixed choir and accompaniment
Trois beaux oiseaux du paradis (SATB)
from European Sacred Music (Choral Anthology)
Brahms Geistliches
Lies, Op.30
Blessed be that Maid Marie (SATB)
Love bade me welcome SATB)
from Trois Chansons for mixed choir and accompaniment
Nicolette (SATB)
from Choral Hymns from the Rig Veda, Op.26, Set 3
ed. Walczak
Hymn to the Waters (SSAA)
ed. Walczak Hymn of the Travellers (SSAA)
A Fancy of Folk
Songs
Green Bushes : The Rambling Sailor :
The Crystal Spring : O No, John!
Available as a download from www.choralmusicpublishing.co.uk
Free download : Admin Office, summermusicschool@btinternet.com
Available as a download from www.sheetmusicplus.com
Oxford University Press
Available as a download from www.sheetmusicplus.com
CPDL #45212 (free download)
IMSLP #388361 (free download)
Durand
Oxford University Press
Available as a download from www.choralmusicpublishing.co.uk
Chester
Durand
CPDL #59806 (free download)
CPDL #59808 (free download)
Oxford University Press
The Art of Choral Direction Application Form
Please note. The summer school does not have a music shop on site. Students should purchase their course materials before they arrive at the school either from their local music shop or from our nominated internet supplier, Forsyth Music where you will find the purhasable music for your course ready to buy : https://www.forsyths.co.uk/189389-sherborne-summer-school-2026
Pactical Conducting Course The George Hurst Conductors’ Course Wind Conducting Course Scholarship Scheme
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) OUP
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/Heywood Summertime
Razaf/Waller/Brooks 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