Just one year ago on a chorus night, I was conducting closing numbers and Happy Birthday (it was after all my birthday) and then this weekend I found myself at Directors College!! How did this happen? I asked myself. Apparently my chorus director Alison Thompson (Norwich Ladies) had it planned all along. Our assistant director was going on an extended holiday and Alison asked me if would run the warm-ups while she was gone. I agreed and really enjoyed myself, making the most of it as I was convinced it was only until she returned from holiday. I am still doing it!

As the year progressed it became clear that if this situation were to continue then I would need to learn how to conduct properly instead of just waving my arms at the chorus and expecting them to know what I wanted. I applied for a grant from BABS Harmony Foundation and was lucky enough to be granted a scholarship to Directors College 07. As a small chorus it would have been hard to find the funds to send both the director and me to the College so we were enormously grateful.

I arrived on the Friday evening absolutely terrified of what I had let myself in for but I need not have worried. All weekend I was made to feel welcome and the support and encouragement from the other delegates was wonderful. Our three coaches Paula, Monica and Rob put us through our paces and made sure we were ready for our video coaching and feedback on Sunday. Their sessions were great fun and gave us all we needed to be able to conduct the basic patterns as well as some other skills. The lads that made up the octet on Sunday (Retro and Cadence) did a sterling job and were patient and encouraging throughout what must have been for them a very long day. Thanks lads.

The weekend was organised down to the last minute and everything ran smoothly (as far as I could tell anyway. If anyone was paddling for his or her, life it didn't show) I would like to thank everyone involved in this weekend, what ever their job. I had the most fantastic time and can't wait to do it all again next year. See you there!!! (After much practice, I promise Monica).

Carol Logan (Norwich Harmony)