Vocal Leadership – Main Class
The main subject is taught by different teachers. You will learn, among other things, how to expand your musical ‘comfort zone’ and that of the singers. You will become more aware of your (musical) communication, we will introduce tools to improve the skills of your singers and you will learn how to create an inspiring environment in which your singers can flourish. Merel Martens, together with Marlou Vriens, will guide you during your studies. With individual, unique goals. We also welcome a guest teacher every study weekend.
- Develop your skills within the five musical competencies (intonation, rhythm & groove, sound & coloring, interpretation & expression, presentation).
- Implementing Vocal Painting & SolFa (VOPA).
- Writing your own arrangements and compositions for singers. Both on paper and ‘live composing.
Marlou and Merel work with all the basic values of Vocal Leadership: what is your unique signature as a leader? How do you find that together with your singers? Think of arrangement and original composition, rehearsal techniques, Vocal Painting, Floor-Roof, singing technique, Why-How-What and more! And all of that in a positive, safe environment. Because we all want to have fun while learning something, right?
Teachers: Marlou Vriens, Merel Martens & guests
Move & Groove
Move & Groove class! This class can also be defined as ‘physical eartraining’. Main goal is to create more awareness of the rhythmical and musical communication we do using our bodies. By using our voice, bodysounds, percussion instruments and much more we train our non-verbal communication and musicality. For music making we use all of our body!
Teachers: Freek Koopmans, Glenn Liebaut, Ben Schuetz, Sarah Lasaki, Esther Diethelm, Claudio Spieler & Merel Martens
Music Unlocked
A harmonic understanding is important for vocal music leaders. In this class we connect music theory to actual choir rehearsal by using scores as a starting point. Rhythm, melody, harmony and groove will be improved upon quickly.
Teachers: Syd Horster & Jeroen Zijp
Embodied Leadership
In order to communicate optimally with your singers, we monitor your non-verbal communication every weekend. Merel has been teaching the course ‘Embodied Leadership’ since spring 2023. What does the entire body do with the sound and energy of your group and how can you direct that? And when does the conductor stand in front of the group during rehearsals and concerts and when not?
Teacher: Merel Martens
Voice – Elective
In our singing classes we connect voice theory to our choir practice. To get an optimal choir sound, we need to know how to use the instrument and how to teach this. During voice and voice theory classes there’s room for some individual tips and tops but we also sing arrangements and implement vocal technique.
Teachers: Marlou Vriens & Syd Horster
Piano – Elective
The piano is a great tool to help you and your choir in rehearsal. But how often and in what way, ideally? A good choir leader can be flexible, accompany the choir when necessary, give a harmonic context and a groove to support the rehearsal proces and inspire the singers by creating a suitable musical atmosphere.
Teachers: Axel Blom
Arranging – Elective
A good choir needs good arrangements. It is important that a vocal leader can make his or her own arrangements and has a good idea of what makes an arrangement succesfull. In our arranging classes our teachers give each student different assignments that will take him or her to the next level. Different arranging styles will be examined.
Teachers: Line Groth
Vocal Leadership in School – Elective
This elective class for music teachers combines our VL tools with regular classrooms. Learn more here.
Teachers: Stephanie Kramer & Mathieu Vulto
Basic conducting technique – Elective
How can you effectively indicate an input, beautifully turn the sound or indicate a clear tempo through conducting technique? The basics of conducting are important, even when working with Vocal Painting or Move & Groove, for example. Rolinde helps you master the basics.
Teachers: Rolinde Zieverink
Composing – Elective
You have music in you! How can you convert your musical ideas into your own composition? Marlou will help you write something that is unique and easy to sing for the singers you work with. Because why always sing something that already exists, when you can also draw on your own creativity?
Teachers: Marlou Vriens