Eton Choral Courses
The Eton Choral Courses were founded by Ralph Allwood in 1980 while at Uppingham School. The courses run each summer and offer vocal training and the experience of choral singing to young singers (usually between 16 and 20 years old). In recent years the courses have been held over seven weeks, in Oxford, Cambridge and Durham as well as Eton College.
Each course lasts a week, and comprises classes in sight-singing, aural tests and consort singing (close harmony).[1] Learning Choral music is central to the course, and course members have often had the opportunity to sing in the Choral Evensong, broadcast on BBC Radio 3.[2]
Tutors on the course number twelve full-time staff each week, with four visiting staff. Allwood usually directs five of the seven courses. Other directors have included Ben Parry (Director of Junior Royal Academy, London), Mark Shepherd (Director of Music, Charterhouse) and Bob Chilcott (Principal Guest Conductor, BBC Singers).[3]