I was fortunate enough to be awarded a scholarship to attend DC VIII at Coventry from 11th - 13th January 2008. It is my obligation to the Trustees, and my pleasure, to report on the weekend's event.

Joining Instructions

As with almost all events organised by BABS, the administration was first-class throughout, starting with detailed joining instructions, sent out in good time, covering all the points the student needed to know. Clear and precise directions were provided to the hotel which accommodated students and the faculty, and to the adjacent school where the teaching was to take place. Registration at the hotel was well-planned and executed, and the whole process of checking-in took only a few moments.

Accommodation

It appeared that BABS had taken over the hotel which was efficient, clean and modern and located in the centre of Coventry. Rooms were all en-suite, well-equipped and comfortable. Had there been any time to watch the television or listen to the radio, the charge of £19.95 per day for the service would have offended me. The hotel staff struggled to cope with the one meal of the day they had to prepare and serve: the descent of 100 guests to breakfast between 7 - 7:30 in the morning overstretched their resources, but was, in general, met with good humour on both sides.

The teaching accommodation was quite the best I have ever experienced. Again, BABS had taken over the Drama and Music block of a large secondary school and all events took place in the one building which comprised a large theatre with tiered seats and surrounded by classrooms of various sizes, above which was an orchestra rehearsal room, likewise surrounded by smaller rehearsal rooms. In the large foyer students and tutors were able to gather to talk, have coffee, browse in the BABS shop or just sit and relax. Plenary sessions took place in the theatre which was equipped with cinema screen, theatre lights and sound amplification equipment.

Course Content

I marvelled at the syllabus to be covered: basic directing techniques, body language, communication with your singers, listening and analysis, coaching whilst directing, leadership and management of a chorus, appropriate choice of song for your chorus, creative interpretation, new warm-up routines, were crammed into almost 21 hours of instruction from supper time on Friday to tea time on Sunday.

In addition there were the sessions with the guest educator and the personal highlight of the weekend which was singing with the college chorus under the direction of an experienced BABS Director who was, at the same time, being coached by our guest educator. Each student had the privilege of directing one of the visiting choruses under the keen and watchful eye of his/her personal coach. For the novices, we had two coaches advising and assisting us. The student's directing was videoed, following which there was a detailed de-brief which we were advised to record so as to serve as a reminder of what needed to be worked in the future. There were video cameras everywhere recording each session, and in due course a DVD will be produced for sale to students as a source of reference, and as a reminder of a fabulous weekend.

The Faculty

Very little of this hugely ambitious programme could have been achieved without the deep knowledge, energy, enthusiasm and encouragement of the tutors and the administrators. One of the great things about BABS is the thirst for education and improvement. We yearn to learn and thus improve, because the better we can sing, the more fun we can get from our hobby. Nowhere is this more apparent than at events like Harmony College and, I now know, Directors' College. The weekend's work was intense; students were driven hard but the enjoyment and sense of achievement of all attendees was palpable. I cannot think of any other event I have attended where there appeared to be not one second of time wasted. The whole weekend from the inspirational keynote presentation by the guest educator to the closing session was a whirlwind of working, learning and pleasure. Particularly deserving of thanks were those men and women of the visiting choruses who gave up an extremely long (for them) Sunday to come to the College to be directed by the 70 individual students. They, too, seemed to be caught up in the energy and enthusiasm of the weekend.

Overall Assessment

I have been inspired, energised, encouraged. I have been taught the basics, I have been provided with the tools for improvement and have gained access to that most valuable of resources: the BABS bank of barbershop singing knowledge which is available through individual contact with its members through the directors' website. I hope to be able to pass on that intensity of energy, enthusiasm and encouragement to my club's chorus to enable them to sing that little bit better so they, like me, will get even more fun from their singing and performing.

Trevor Chrich Chess Valley Barbershop Harmony Club