Charlotte Training Course for Boys, Girls, Teens, and Adults
The Royal School of Church Music in America Charlotte Training Course for Boys, Girls, Teens, and Adults, sponsored by St. John's Episcopal Church, is open to young singers ages 10-18 and to adults, especially directors. Singers of all levels of ability are welcome, but all must match pitch and enjoy singing. Formal choir experience is usually expected. The course offers training for Treble Choristers, a complete program for Teen Altos, Tenors, and Basses, as well as Adults. The 2011 course begins on Monday, July 4 at Queens University of Charlotte and Myers Park Baptist Church, and concludes with Evensong at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 10, A.D. 2011.
Geraint Bowen is an English conductor and organist. He is the artistic director of the Hereford Three Choirs Festival. He became organist and director of music at Hereford Cathedral in 2001, where he directs the choir of men and boys and the Hereford Choral Society. Previously he had been assistant organist at Hereford Cathedral (1989–94) before becoming organist and master of the choristers at St Davids Cathedral, Pembrokeshire, and artistic director of the St Davids Cathedral Festival (1995–2001). At St. Davids he directed a choir of men and girls and served as the music director in the U.S. for the RSCM Carolina course for boys, the Atlanta course for girls, and the Carolina course for girls. With the Hereford choir, he recorded a CD of Anthems, Motets & Services by William Byrd and also directed what was probably the first performance of John Browne's Stabat mater in the cathedral's history during a choral evensong. We are very pleased to welcome him as our 2011 director.
Our course organist will be Dr. Edie Johnson, Music Associate and Organist of Church Street United Methodist Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. Dr. Johnson holds degrees in organ from Furman University in South Carolina and Indiana University (Bloomington). Formerly she served as assistant to Frank Boles at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Indianapolis. She is a very fine organist and teacher, and we look forward to hearing her offerings during the 2011 course. Dr. Johnson will serve as course accompanist and will work with our organ scholars.
The beautiful campus of Queens University of Charlotte provides excellent facilities including a gymnasium, tennis courts, swimming pool, dormitories, a dining hall, and a student center. Rehearsal and worship space will be provided by Myers Park Baptist Church, where the course will have daily services of evening worship. Public services will include the 10:00 a.m. Sunday Eucharist at St. John's Episcopal Church and the closing 4:00 p.m. Evensong at Myers Park Baptist church on July 10. The Course Managers are especially pleased that Myers Park Baptist Church has invited the RSCM to use its extensive musical facilities and beautiful worship space. For many years the RSCM Carolina Course for boys and adults concluded their courses there.
Treble, teen, and adult participants rehearse daily with Mr. Bowen and with distinguished housemasters who provide individual attention in small groups. Dormitory supervision and recreational activities are provided by experienced, attentive proctors. Rehearsals, worship, learning, recreation, and fun are a part of every day for the choristers.
A Saturday outing to Extreme Ice Center is planned for all youth participants for ice skating and fun; it's a great place to beat the heat during a hot Charlotte summer! Adults may prefer to rest, visit a museum, shop, or take a pilgrimage to the Brodt Music Company on Saturday afternoon.
Adult participants rehearse and sing with the trebles at Evensong daily. In addition, adults will have opportunities to observe rehearsals and participate in daily adult seminars. At least one seminar will include information and materials for implementing the RSCM training scheme, Voice for Life. Others will include opportunities to discuss how to address the challenges that arise in music programs and a time to share repertoire ideas with others.
Positions for two organ scholars are included in the course. Two high school or college students interested in learning to play the organ for liturgical services will be chosen to attend the course and study with the course organist at no charge. Cornel Zimmer Organ Builders is providing scholarship funds for the organ scholar this year. Contact Alan Reed to apply before April 1.
A certified examiner will be available for those who would like to test for an RSCM award. Please complete the forms for the awards found on the RSCM America web site and register with Linda Buzard by June 1, if you would like to be examined for the RSCM Bronze, Silver, or Gold Awards.
The RSCMA Charlotte Course will provide an opportunity for fellowship, worship, learning and fun for boys, girls, teens, and adults. Because the week culminates in the celebration of the Sunday services, all youth participants are asked to commit to the entire week's activities. No registrations for a portion of the week will be accepted, except from adults. Participants are asked to purchase and study the music before the course begins.
The Royal School of Church Music is an international, ecumenical, professional organization which promotes high standards of church music throughout the English-speaking world. It seeks to provide for its 8,000 member choirs, in church, school, and community settings, quality publications and helpful programs to assist in the offering of the worthiest praises to God. The RSCM is not affiliated with any denomination; participants from every creed are welcome to participate in our courses.
Alan Reed and Tracy Reed bring many years of experience working on other RSCM courses. They are offering this course to bring the RSCM experience to even more choristers and choral directors in the Carolinas and across the U.S. Please contact them with any questions at the addresses below.
For information about other courses offered by the RSCM in North America, click here: RSCM Summer Courses. An information brochure on all of the North American courses is available also.
NEW! See an informational video on YouTube about all the courses offered by the Royal School of Church Music in America: Music Courses Video