The Course
The Academy's distinctive postgraduate Choral Conducting course has been developed from its pioneering Church Music programme. Established in 1997, the two-year course embraces a comprehensive range of sacred music for concert and service plus selected secular repertoire, culminating in the award of an MMus or MA. Choral Conducting is offered at undergraduate level as an optional choir-training class, not as a Principal Study.

The modern British choral tradition (both English and Latin) is taken as the practical and stylistic basis for exploration of a broad sweep of European sacred repertoire, related secular music and historically informed performance practices.

Studies include conducting and rehearsal techniques, repertoire, performance practice and interpretation, editing, and vocal technique. These are complemented by contextual studies which examine the repertoire (chant, chorale and hymn, as well as art-music) and its relationship to the liturgy.

Students observe and work with a variety of choral groups, taking advantage of the outstandingly diverse range of opportunities that London offers. There are opportunities to work with members of the Academy's Chamber Choir, and the course has close working relationships with the BBC Singers, the Choir of Royal Holloway, University of London and the adult professional and children's choirs of the London Oratory.

The Royal Academy of Music's ensemble offers an attractive alternative to the Tallis Scholars' account... one with freshness and vitality'
Gramophone, February 2003, on the CD 'In Gloria Dei Patris'

2008-2009 Highlights
> Masterclasses with members of the Academy Chamber Choir taken by David Hill (BBC Singers and The Bach Choir), Paul Spicer (Finzi Singers and Birmingham Conservatoire), Roland Börger (Leipzig
Hochschule), and James O’Donnell (Westminster Abbey)
> Week-long programme of classes and seminars on major works of Bach with Visiting Professor Roland Börger
> Departmental visit to Leipzig observing the Thomanerchor, MDR Chor and the Choral Conducting department of the Leipzig Hochschule
> A week’s residency together with the Academy Chamber Choir and organ students at Neresheim Abbey in southern Germany, including liturgical services, concert and a BBC broadcast
> A day’s masterclass with the BBC Singers and David Hill