Workshops
Whether you are looking for training for your music teachers or a one off singing workshop for your school or choir, Kevin offers a range of interactive workshops which can be tailored to meet your musical needs. Each session covers a range of styles/genres, will develop your understanding of the musical elements in a stimulating and exciting way, and is designed to be a fun, informal and highly participatory introduction to singing and music-making.
All of Kevin's workshops include singing skills training where participants are taught vocal exercises, breathing techniques, unison and harmony singing, group development and musical games. Have a look at the workshops on offer and if you don’t find what you are looking for get in touch.
Jukebox Jamboree
Put another dime in the jukebox and embark on a musical journey through a century of popular song stimulated by the centenary of the end of WWI, finishing with a current day lollipop.
The Jukebox Jamboree workshop features a selection of ear worms to challenge your singers and open their eyes to the changes in musical styles and genres over the last century, all whilst encouraging them to explore the entirety of their vocal ranges. The session begins with a whistling warm up, before diving straight in with unison and 2-part singing, improvisation, scat, body percussion, and key changes galore!
Repertoire:
1918 Asaf & Powell Pack Up Your Troubles In Your Old Kit-bag Upbeat / War song
1928 Showboat Ol' Man River Wide pitch range / Cultural references
1938 Snow White Whistle While You Work Whistle / Hum
1948 Nat King Cole Nature Boy Minor / 3/4 / Chromatic / Expressive range
1958 The Elegants Little Star Harmonies / Twist on a classic nursery rhyme
1968 Beatles Hey Jude Anthemic ballad / Classic coda
1978 Earth, Wind & Fire September Classic feel good funk / "Don't let the lyrics spoil a good riff!"
1988 Michael Jackson Man In The Mirror Exploration of vocal qualities / Good for boys & girls sharing the range
1998 Britney Spears Baby One More Time Pop hit / Reimagined for a cool jazz combo
2008 Jason Mraz I'm Yours Scat / Improvisation / Groove
2018 The Greatest Showman A Million Dreams Contemporary / Wide range that encourages cambiata voice & high
pitch trebles/sopranos
Adaptable across Key Stages 2-4 and suitable for community groups.
"The concept of selecting a song from each decade captivated the children's imagination right from the start and opened their minds to a repertoire that they had not previously experienced. Although some of the songs were challenging, the children embraced the project with great enthusiasm.... this helped the children develop their singing skills and build their confidence.. The children particularly enjoyed being accompanied by a real band" - Rebecca Thompson, Teacher at St. Mary's the Mount Catholic Primary School (Walsall)
Mozart to Mars
Buckle your seat belts and prepare for a musical journey that begins in the 1700s and travels right through to the modern day.
The Mozart to Mars workshop is designed to develop participants' understanding of the musical elements and build upon their musicianship skills, whilst introducing them to the joys of singing in an engaging and interactive environment. The workshop starts with a warm up, getting the body and the voice ready, before introducing unison and 2-part singing through a variety of musical genres; classical, rap, folk, pop, gospel and Latin-American.
Throughout the session participants will actively engage in singing, listening to and analysing music, whilst interacting and improvising with percussion instruments; all of which leads up to a showcase performance at the end of the day. The workshop leader can supply a range of percussion instruments for the students to play.
Repertoire:
1. Mozart Twinkle, Twinkle Major & Minor / Classical
2. Rap Frosty Fugue Rhythm / Improvisation
3. Africa Zulu Warrior Chant / Canon / Cascade
4. Britten Old Abram Brown Round >> Know Numbers!
5. Stannard Know Numbers! Re-Hear-Sing By Numbers
6. Asia Prayer to Prophet Muhammad Arabic / Ostinato
7. Gospel Amazing Grace Solos / Harmonies
8. Beatles Here, There and Everywhere Melody / Ballad-Style
9. South America El Cumbanchero Tongue-Twister / Sequence
10. Humour Flanders and Swann Familiar Tunes / Dialogue
11. America I Like to Be In America 6/8 and 3/4 Rhythms
12. Mars Just the Way You Are Feel Good
Adaptable across Key Stages 2-4.
Sing Shakespeare
"If music be the food of love, play on" - (Twelfth Night, 1.1.1-7).
Immerse yourself in the literary delights of the nation's favourite Bard of Avon. Through a combination of music, drama and visualisation you will soon find yourself reciting a plethora of Shakespearean quotes and perfecting that piercing witch's cackle.
The Sing Shakespeare workshop starts with a warm up, getting the body and the voice ready, before introducing participants to a range of Shakespeare's famous works and quotes through unison and 2/3-part singing. Throughout the session participants will actively engage in singing, elements of physical theatre and the use of vocal effects, Guitarists are welcome to bring their instruments along to the session to explore the area of accompaniment.
Repertoire:
1. Harris You Spotted Snakes Midsummer Night's Dream
2. Stannard Three Witches Macbeth
3. Adams The Willow Song Othello
4. Porter Brush Up Your Shakespeare Comedy
... and many more!
Adaptable across Key Stages 2-4.
For bookings and enquiries regarding workshops please contact Kevin at: