Appledown Centre in Hampshire - learn to sing, choir training and music tuition plus wedding music.

What's On

Available this term are classes in Musicianship for Singers and Singing Workshops, arranged by appointment and tailored to your choir, singing group or gathering of friends. Appledown All Age Training Choir provides a comprehensive introduction to all aspects of choir practise and choral singing for all ages. We organise several special events each year, including Workshops and Masterclasses. Please see below for further details.		St. Michael's Junior Choir Meet weekly on Tuesdays 7.00 - 8.00 p.m. in the church EXCEPT once a month for the Music Club which will be at Scrubbs Farm.
		St. Michael's Senior Choir Meet 1st & 3rd Tuesday of each month 7.30 - 9.00 p.m. (We use the RSCM 'Voice for Life' scheme for juniors and interested seniors).
		Meet 2nd Friday of each month during Term Time 7.30-9.00 p.m.

Our 'Musicianship for Singers' classes include, music reading, sight singing, choral technique, ensemble singing skills, music history and interpretation.

Musicianship for Singers	By Appointment - Minimum of 4 singers

Please contact us to register your interest in a course.

Our 'Singing Workshops' comprise of individual and ensemble tuition. Topics covered include, practical warm-ups, vocal technique, song interpretation and working with an accompanist.

Singing Workshops	By Appointment (minimum duration 2 hours)

Our workshops are tailored to your choir, singing group or gathering of friends. You can reserve your place and indicate your preferred topics by contacting us.

	Saturdays or evenings to suit you Church or secular In your venue or ours

Workshops include:	Physical and vocal warm-ups Posture, breathing and relaxation Voice production and projection

Plus a selection of topics:	Work on existing repertoire Explore new styles and pieces Group work One-to-one sessions Your own suggestions...

Please contact us to register your interest in a workshop and to receive further information.

A Language Workshop for Singers where we will work on language and singing techniques.
All participants to prepare Mendelssohn ‘Lieblingsplätzchen’ in G, to be worked on as a group, plus one other lieder to be worked on individually.

There are 10 places available – please book with Gillian in September.

Refreshments provided. Cost per Singer: £20.

All participants to prepare the appropriate part of ‘Sweet Jesu’ and ‘Elijah Rock’ (from Perry Merry Dixi SFP Bk 15).
Those who wish to may liaise in advance with other participants to prepare one or two short items of your own choice to be worked on during the afternoon.
A maximum of 8 ensembles.

Fee: Group work only £5 each; Ensembles £15 per ensemble

All places are limited, please reserve your place early.

A Masterclass for a maximum of 10 solo singers, interspersed with group sessions of complementary vocal and physical exercise for soloists and observers.

Solo Singers should bring two contrasting pieces to work on in the masterclass, from the opera, oratorio or song repertoire. All periods and styles are acceptable. Two additional copies of each song should be provided, one each for the tutor and the accompanist. Singers are strongly encouraged to know their songs from memory as some movement may be incorporated into their sessions.

Observers are invited and encouraged to join in with the group sessions during the day. A maximum of 20 observer places are available.

Bring a picnic lunch or repair to the Ship Inn (a menu will be available on arrival); all other refreshments are provided.

A Recital of selected pieces will conclude the day.

Cost per Singer: £90
Cost per Observer Whole Day: £12, Morning Only: £7, Afternoon & Recital: £9, Recital: £5

As places are limited please reserve your place early by completing an application form
and sending it to us with a cheque made payable to 'GARET'.

The Christmas Music Evening takes place on Saturday 12th December - The end-of-term gathering for 2009!!

This year we shall be gathering on Cheriton Village Green to present as wide a range of seasonal music as possible during the earlier part of the evening as part of a Cheriton Village Shop Christmas late night. I am going to ask for permission to put up a tent or gazebo so that we can have the keyboard there, but am aiming for as much unaccompanied music as possible. We shall work on the music during the term and will rehearse together on the Saturday afternoon.

Advance notice of our Songs from the Shows 2010 workshop. Please contact Gillian for further details.

I have decided that we should really push the boat out in 2010!! I would like to present a staged event in four sections – four extracts from four contrasting works. It will give everyone a part to play either on stage or backstage and in the choruses. We will have from January to June to get up to speed with two or three nights of performances in July. Rehearsals will be on Saturday or Sunday afternoons in the summer term. I have to research costs before finalising the programme.

The Appledown All Age Training Choir provides a comprehensive introduction to all aspects of choir practise and choral singing for all ages, both beginners and the more experienced. Choir training will be based on the RSCM 'Voice for Life' award scheme, with participants having the opportunity to work their way through the various levels.

All participants may join to work towards the Light Blue, Dark Blue, Red and Yellow Ribbons. These awards are gained through continuous assessment and group activities (no external exams) and will be presented at the Winter and Summer Concerts or at the Annual Choristers' Workshop.

'Voice for Life' is a nationally recognised scheme and a real alternative to taking music exams.

All Age Training Choir

Currently meets at 7.00p.m. for 1 hour on alternate Wednesdays
(see DIARY for dates)


The Fee per hour is £8, due termly in advance, plus 'Voice for Life' workbooks at cost. Discounts available for family members. Please contact us to register your interest.





St Michael's Music Club meets once a month on a Tuesday evening at Scrubbs Farm from 7.00 p.m. – 8.00 p.m. (see DIARY for dates) All singers and instrumentalists welcome but no previous experience necessary. Suitable for all comers from 7 years upwards. We will work mainly on music for 3rd Sunday Family services in Cheriton.
Please contact Gillian for further information.

Gillian Gray,
Appledown Centre,
Scrubbs Farm, Bishops Sutton,
Alresford, Hampshire, SO24 0HR.
Telephone/Fax: 01962 736029
E-mail: appledown@hotmail.co.uk