About me
I first came into contact with the Pilgrimaires last March when I answered a newspaper advert offering a "six week free singing course"
I have for many years enjoyed singing (I use that term very loosely) at karaoke nights while on holiday. So I hoped to improve my voice.
After just two weeks of staying being after the lessons listening to the chorus, I know that I wanted to be part of this chorus and I was on the raisers with the guys soon after that. What a thrill.
I'm a firm believer in "the more you put into something the more you get out of it"
That's why I want to become the assistant CD, Hence the course.
I was fortunate enough to be awarded a scholarship to attend the Directors College.
(Thanks to Mike Lofthouse and Sue Loughran for their help with my application)

As a complete novice I was surprised at the amount of management theory we went through. I found it very heavy going at times. Especially the session on breaking a song down in to its various parts. I think the words "total lost and out of my depth" would sum up that lesson. (For me as a novice).
However over all, the course was fun, interesting, absorbing and intensive.

Accommodation - Hotel
The accommodation was fine. The fact that we had to walk to and from the School helped to clear our heads ready for the day/night (depending on which direction we were heading)Bar service was a bit on the slow side, special Saturday night with various other party's taken place,(lots of children running around).
Having said that we were still able to sing until the early hours of the morning.

Catering-At the College

Food was fine at the College, but perhaps a hot meal may have been more appropriate on Sunday as some people had a 4/5 hours journey back home that night.
But the food was fine, and also the service from the catering team was very good.

The Training Session

The guest speaker made it very clear how importance it is to manage your chorus correctly in order to get the best from everyone. So may be that's why we had so much management instruction.
I would think that around 75% of the weekend was taken up with management theory
I must say that this was not what I expected from a novice course.
The practical sessions-which involved (for the novice group) correct posture, patterns, facial expression and so much more, were outstanding, as were the instructors who took us. They took a personal interest in each and every one of us, which I'm sure we all benefited from, especial when it came to the video session.

Summary

A very big well done to everyone on the faulty team. You did an outstanding job.
As a total novice I found a lot of the more technical stuff went over my head.
Having said that I do believe its important to stretch ones self, and I feel that the weekend certainly did that.
I learnt a lot more that I thought I would.
I view the weekend as a massive building block on which I plan to grow my barbershop experience.
I would also like to thank all those in my novice group for taking me into their care and encouraging me over the weekend.
I had a thoroughly enjoyable and informative weekend, which will help me assist my CD and help the chorus grow.
I hope the scholarships continue, and that they prove to be as useful to other recipients as it did for me.
Thank you.

James Honey