Workshops
Bespoke workshops offer a deeper dive into a range of singing and choir aspects, from beginner to advanced level. If you’re interested, check availability below, or email me if there is someone/something you think would be a good workshop idea.
ONE DAY CHOIR
Friday 27th February, 6:30–9pm
Hallé St Peter’s – Victoria Wood Hall
Led by James Rose
ABOUT THE WORKSHOP
Wherever this finds you on your musical path, this one-day choir evening of collective singing facilitated by James Rose is lovingly designed to bring a sense of freedom, flexibility, and connection to singers of all kinds.
Together we’ll work on a specially created rendition of Let It Be by The Beatles, alongside a selection of James’ much-loved vocal explorations: playful, adventurous warm-ups that have taken the internet by storm. Show up, sing your heart out, explore harmony, and create something beautiful together in the heart of Manchester.
WHY YOU SHOULD SIGN UP
- Designed for all experience levels whether you’ve sung for years and want to stretch yourself, or you’re newer to harmony and curious to explore
- Sing “Let It Be” in harmony in one evening, using a brand-new arrangement created for this workshop
- 7-part arrangement with a mix of more accessible and more challenging parts
- Choose a part that feels great for you parts will be shared in advance so you can explore and prepare
- Sheet music and guide tracks provided with your ticket
- No auditions, no pressure everything is taught in a supportive, inclusive way
- No long-term commitment just one joyful evening of singing together
- Learn from an internationally respected choir facilitator in a warm, welcoming space
All voices welcome. No need to read music, all parts will be sent out with guide tracks before the session.
ABOUT JAMES ROSE
James Rose (they/them) is an international choir facilitator and vocal harmony educator, creating harmonious spaces for humans of all kinds.
Alongside directing at A Cappella Academy (LA) and ICMP (London), James recently released their book of choir explorations, Journeys in Voice, published via Singergy. James is a veteran a cappella performer, touring internationally with acclaimed internet sensation group Accent, and is a contributing arranger for prominent ensembles including The Real Group, VOCES8, Take 6, and Naturally 7.
FULL WEEKEND POP CHOIR MASTERCLASS
24th-25th of February 2024
With Merel Martens
Our POP CHOIR MASTERCLASS is back, bigger and better! Over two full days, expect deep dive into choir singing inspired by The Intelligent Choir method which aims to increase creativity, reflection, interaction and playfulness within choirs. It will be an engaging, accessible and fun session for everyone to enjoy!
Why you should sign up:
– you will become more confident in singing in a group
– you will get tuition from Merel Martens who’s a master in the field of vocal leadership!
– you will learn tools to get better at rhythm, groove, intonation, pitch, blend, interpretation & performance.
– you will learn the basics of beatboxing and get inspired. I Like Singing may be organising a beatboxing course in the future!
– you will get high level tuition in a small group setting (limit is 50 participants)
– you will go out of your comfort zone in a safe and friendly environment!
About Merel who will lead the weekend:
After two bachelor’s degrees in Music Teaching and Choir Leading Pop & Jazz, Merel received a Master’s degree in ‘Vocal Leadership’ from RAMA in May 2015. Merel’s name is connected to the award winning vocal groups Pitch Control, MAZE, The Junction, Dutch Organic Choir and VOÏSZ Vocal Projects. Merel regularly travels to international vocal festivals for workshops, ateliers and concerts and is head of Vocal Leadership course that educates choir leaders from all over the world.
Saturday 24th February
9.30am – 4.00pm: Day 1 Masterclass
4.00pm – 6.00pm: Indian Buffet (optional for £12)
St Matthew’s Hall, Chapel Lane, Manchester
Sunday 25th February
9.30am – 4.00pm: Day 2 Masterclass
(the last 30 minutes will include an informal performance of everything we’ve learnt – you can invite friends/family to see how good we sound!)
Stretford Public Hall, Chester Road, Manchester
Limited to 50 participants
Previous workshops:
POP CHOIR MASTERCLASS
Led by Leanne Sedin
The POP CHOIR MASTERCLASS is a deep dive into choir singing inspired by The Intelligent Choir method which aims to increase creativity, reflection, interaction and playfulness within choirs. It will be an engaging, accessible and fun session for everyone to enjoy! The day will be led by Leanne Sedin, whose unique and creative approach to choir leadership has been shaped by her training at Denmark’s RAMA Vocal Centre.
The masterclass will include:
* lots of fun singing games and songs
* work on rhythm and groove
* solfa training
* circle singing and vocal painting (VOPA)
Saturday 10th of June, 2023
St Matthew Hall, Stretford, Greater Manchester
9.30 – 16.00
16.00 – 18.00 Indian buffet (optional add-on for £11)
Limited to 50 participants
SINGING FOR BETTER BREATHING
Singing is a fun and active way to improve your breathing. With breathlessness being a common long term effect of COVID, this weekly course will aim to improve your breathing through vocal exercises, tension release and songs.
Every Thursday
10.00 – 10.15 chat with a cuppa
10.15 – 11.00 Breathing exercises and singing
If you cannot make Thursday mornings, but are interested in this course, please also send an email, if there is enough interest, I’ll add another one.
BREATHING, TENSION RELEASE AND VOCAL TECHNIQUE
Join Rose for a series of 4 x 60-minute workshops focussing on the three pillars of good singing.
We will go through:
- breathing exercises
- understanding your voice
- tension release
- focussed vocal technique exercises
- learning songs
- Q&A session for the entire group
Every Sunday
12.40 – 12.50 Chat with a cuppa
12.50 – 13.45 Singing
VOCAL TECHNIQUE MASTERCLASS
The ever popular Vocal Technique Masterclass has evolved from an intense crash course to a more comprehensive 8 part course with each session lasting 60 minutes.
Includes:
- the six voice qualities: Sob, Belt, Opera, Twang, Speech and Falsetto
- anatomy of the vocal tract
- how sound is created and manipulated
- focussed vocal warm-ups
- open singing sessions for live feedback (not mandatory)
- Q&A session for the entire group
CREATIVE SONGWRITING COURSE
Songwriters unite! Do you struggle to find inspiration for new songs? Or perhaps you have notebooks full of ideas but never seem to be able to get past the ideas stage.
After the great success of their songwriting courses, Rose and Jolyn (of jospianolessons.com) now present it to the digital world!
Our last course was a great success and we would love to start another one.
Email info@ilikesinging.com to check availability
