Day Courses at Jackdaws for Singers and Guitarists

There is still time to book onto a Jackdaws One Day Courses this autumn; whether you’d like to try something new or to polish your skills, the team of friendly and talented tutors will support you!

Voice teacher, Penny Jenkins makes a welcome return on Saturday 11th November for a Jackdaws One Day favourite Singing for the over 50s, with accompanist Colin Hunt.  The course is aimed at singers of any ability and there is no upper age limit! Come and discover that the singing voice can go on forever.

This is a fun course for the over 50s (or thereabouts), who are young at heart and Penny will show you how to use the singing voice in a safe and nurturing way. Rediscover your voice and the joy that singing can bring, and it will enable you to make music for many years to come. Singing is a wonderful physical and social activity, which has been shown to have a positive effect on health and wellbeing.

“I found the day to be most enjoyable and instructive. I thought that Penny had a wonderful manner with the participants”.

On Sunday 12th November we have a new one day course, as we welcome Songbirds choir leader, Caroline Radcliffe with Singing for All the Family.

Parents, bring your children. Children, bring your parents!  We’ll all sing together with Caroline, who welcomes all ages to build a choir in a day! We’ll learn easy songs from near and far; from England and across the world, building harmonies and adding parts to each song to encompass all ranges and abilities. Songs will be taught by ear: no need to read music, and no special singing ability required.  The cost for Singing for All the family is £35 per group (2 adults & 2 children), lunch is not included for this course; bring your own packed lunch, and we’ll provide squash and hot drinks. Or pre-book a home-made “soup and a sandwich” at £5 per head.

Jessica Walker encourages you to Sing with Confidence on Saturday 9th December, through the use of key breathing and vocal exercises to gain a firmer foundation for your singing and the confidence to take the next step!  Think you can’t sing a note? Scared to sing on your own? Always hiding at the back of the choir? Jessica Walker will show you how, in the space of a day, you can start to become a more confident singer.  Colin Hunt will be on hand as accompanist.

“Jessica is a really great teacher, very encouraging and insightful about what individuals needed. I came away absolutely inspired and feeling I know what to focus on with my singing”.

Another Jackdaws favourite, Chris Stell, will be on site to teach the One Day Guitar Day on Sunday 10th December.  Chris already leads Guitar Ensemble weekend at Jackdaws each year, which is always oversubscribed, with his duet partner Mark Eden.  This one day course is perfect for the strummer who wants to add skills, or the aspiring Spanish/classical player who would benefit from tips from the best in the business!  Spend a few hours discovering the full range of the guitar as an instrument by experimenting with classical style and techniques.

“I learnt a lot throughout the day, I particularly enjoyed the ensemble session”

Courses are open to all singers and musicians and will take place at Jackdaws in Great Elm, just 3 miles from Frome.  All courses start at 10am with welcome tea and coffee, and a chance to meet your tutor and fellow participants.  The tutor sessions take place from 10.30am to 4pm, with a break for a delicious home cooked lunch, included in the course fee of £45 (except Singing for All the Family, which has a different fee and format).    

Visit www.jackdaws.org.uk , email music@jackdaws.org , or call 01373 812383 for further details and to book a place.