Noted conductor and conductor trainer Manvinder Rattan is delighted to be leading a Choral Conducting training day at Chingford Parish Church on Saturday 23 January 2027, hosted by the Director of Music, Mike Emerson,

Manvinder is one of the U.K.’s most experienced conductor trainers with a considerable track record of success in both choral and orchestral training. He spent 25 years as a tutor for Sing for Pleasure—the latter 17 years as its Head of Conductor training—in which time the courses became accredited by the ABRSM and participant numbers reached an all-time high with unprecedented approval ratings. Manvinder was invited to run a choral conducting course for The Royal School of Music in autumn 2026, which proved immensely popular; feedback from all his 2026 courses was 100% good to excellent. 

“Manvinder is an extraordinarily effective trainer of conductors, whether they be just starting out or more experienced. His can-do approach, allied to innate sensitivity and humour, together with an ability to convey the essentials of a cast-iron technique, inspires and enables all who work with him. In short, Manvinder is one of nature’s empowerers and is a joy to work with.”

Simon Toyne, Executive Director of Music for the David Ross Education Trust

The course is designed to support those who have had no or limited formal conductor training and also those who have and wish to progress further.

By the end of the course, participants should be able to:

● Get the music and their gesture thoroughly prepared

● Know each part well enough to accurately vocally model it

● Keep the teaching pacy and effectively lead the rehearsal whilst making it fun

● Deploy a range of simple, clear and meaningful conducting gestures

● Get a musical performance from even the simplest repertoire

● Evaluate their own achievements, and learn from the work of others, in a positive way

Course Delivery

The course is delivered in two ways—technique sessions will include practical demonstrations of many of the key aspects of conducting, and the workshop sessions that follow give participants podium time to put into practice what they have learned. This is achieved within a relaxed and supportive learning environment. Repertoire at this level is deliberately simple so as not to get in the way of learning the technical aspects. Participants themselves form the choir for the course, and there is no limit to the number of singing observers who may attend.

Timetable

0930 Arrive

1000 Introductions and Technique session

1115 Workshop 1

1300 Lunch

1400 Workshop 2

1500 Short break

1515 Workshop 3

1615 Wrap-up

1630 End

Participants are asked to provide their own lunch (there are several sources close by), and all-day refreshments will be provided.

Please apply for the course using this link by Monday 11 January 2027.

Course costs are as follows:

Conducting participant £50

Concession (unwaged)  £40

Singer/observer £5

This will be payable in advance by bank transfer to 

Chingford Parish Church Choir Fund (this is a business account)

Sort code 40-02-40, a/c 91042319

Ref: Conducting course