Choral Directing Workshop

RSCM Scottish Voices will be singing in the Church of the Holy Rude in Stirling at 4pm on Saturday 17th March, and one week later the Royal College of Organists will be putting on a Choral Directing workshop with Duncan Ferguson, Organist and Master of the Music at St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral in Edinburgh, culminating in Choral Evensong conducted by the participants. Places are still available.

The workshop will take place from 11am on Saturday 24th March in St Mary's Cathedral , Palmerston Place, Edinburgh, booking forms are available to download from their website, and their own publicity states:

The diverse musical elements of choral evensong provide the repertoire for this very special workshop for choral directors of all levels of experience. A professional chamber choir, to be conducted by volunteers, will be present in the afternoon and for the closing service of choral evensong in St Mary’s Cathedral. Attend as an active participant or as an observer. Tuition from
Duncan Ferguson, acclaimed director of St Mary’s Cathedral Choir, with Nicholas Wearne, organ.

Schedule
10:30 Registration

11:00 Introducing the music for evensong and including

• The importance of warm-ups
• Score preparation
• Rehearsal techniques
• Gesture

13:00 Lunch (not provided—there are many places nearby to find sustenance)

14:00 Rehearsal of music for choral evensong with volunteer conductors and professional choir.
The music has been chosen to allow opportunities for the less experienced as well as seasoned practitioners to participate. The level of difficulty of each piece is shown in the repertoire list below on a scale of A – E where ‘A’ is the least challenging. Conductors for the different pieces for the service of choral evensong will be chosen from amongst those who conduct in this session. Please indicate as directed on the booking form if you wish to be considered.

16:30 Break

17:00 Choral Evensong (ending c. 17:50)

Repertoire for Choral Evensong
Introit: If ye love me, Tallis (SATB version in F major) (B)
Responses: Leighton (E)
Psalm 119 vv 1-16 (chant and pointing will be available in advance) (C/D)
Magnificat: Stanford in B flat (C)
Nunc Dimittis: Stanford in B flat (A)
Anthem: Wash me throughly, SS Wesley (C/D)

From Palestrina to Rutter

On Saturday 17th March, RSCM Scottish Voices will depart slightly from the norm, and instead of taking part in a service our worship will take the form of a religious recital in the Church of the Holy Rude, St John Street, Stirling at 4pm.  This is an historic church close to the even more historic Stirling Castle.

Lasting no longer than a service would (i.e. around an hour) there is no charge for admission, although there may be a retiring collection for the church.

We will be directed as usual by Frikki Walker, however Richard Walmsley being unavailable on this occasion we're delighted to be accompanied for the first time by the exceptionally talented Geoffrey Woollatt, assistant organist of St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral in Glasgow, who will also play some organ music, demonstrating the fine instrument in this lovely building.