Another great BABS weekend!

I had been looking forward to this event for a while having great memories of my first visit last year and I was not about to be disappointed. Friday evening started with dinner in Bablake school restaurant, a chance to renew acquaintances from last year's event and Harmony College. The business for the evening started with an introduction by Mike Lofthouse and then an update on the Director's Certification process. We then listened to Mike Brewer talking about what he does and how he works. Well I say "listened" we were all involved at a very early stage as he is such a dynamic character - he just lives music.

Saturday morning started in the auditorium with details of the day's events and with Rhiannon taking us through the college song, "Once upon a time", in strict time just as written. This was an interesting exercise as all present would have learned the song with interpretation from listening to the excellent pre-college supplied music and CD. It therefore took a number of attempts to get away from any interpretation and sing the song just as written, but we made it!

It was then off to sessions with our mentors. With 5 other guys I was allocated to Kevan Liebling who watched the videos we had brought - a college requirement; "bring a video of yourself directing the chorus with two songs of different tempos". Kevan's experience in barbershop was so valuable; he looked at each video in turn highlighting areas that should be worked on over the weekend. After lunch it was back to the auditorium for a presentation by three experienced and successful chorus directors on Leadership and Management. Each gave their own background and details of how they are involved with the chorus and their expectations. Obviously each is very different but this was a most interesting session from which a great deal can be learned. Then on to some "pick and mix" sessions which were again both interesting and valuable. After the evening meal it was time for the delegate chorus to get together and sing whilst two delegates were coached, and by chance Bill Payne's name was one of the two that had been picked out of the hat. This gave me (a) a chance to sing the college song with about 70 others - that in itself is worth going for - and (b) seeing two already capable directors being shown additional techniques. A great learning opportunity for all concerned.

Sunday was a very full and busy day, excellently planned with timing and knowing where you should be, absolutely critical. Each delegate was given 19 minutes in front of one of the two choruses that had "volunteered" to sing all day. My time was at 14:03 in front of the "Sounds of Three Spires", the men's chorus from Coventry. I spent time on Saturday evening working out what I wanted to achieve and had explained this to Kevan after Sunday lunch, but in the end only achieved part. The chorus were really great, trying to follow my arm waving and Kevan was very supportive showing and explaining how improvements could be made. But how quickly 19 minutes disappears! Then a further 19 minutes with Kevan to review the session on front of the chorus. During the day we also had to fit in three, one-hour sessions, hence the need for meticulous planning by the organisers. These sessions were (a) Plagiarism or creativity? with Neil Watkins (b) The Chorus Director as a coach with Rhiannon Owens-Hall and (c) Warm up and rehearsal techniques with Mike Brewer. Again each a great session with lots to be gained.

Then it was all over! A meticulously planned weekend with superb educators and everyone very friendly and willing to share all manner of information. I sat at lunch on one occasion where the discussion turned to mobile phones and Blackberries - technology far beyond me, but there were people willing to share their knowledge to help someone else out of a problem - this is another aspect of barbershop that is so great.

So my thanks. First to the Trustees of Harmony Foundation for providing a scholarship which I really appreciate. Secondly to Mike Lofthouse and his team who put the plan together and then made it work. To all the mentors and presenters especially Kevan Leibling who until Saturday I had never met but with whom I learned so much. And finally to all the other delegates for making the weekend such a memorable experience.

Any BABS member who wants to improve their skill as a section leader, warm-up man or chorus director; next year's event should not be missed!

Doug Powell (Ocean Harmony)