A 6-week course online course on Zoom starting 9th January 2024
“The online training with Ruth was outstanding in every way. She is so knowledgeable and inspiring and breathes life into every session.” – N.G. Course participant April 2023
When? Weekly sessions on Tuesdays 1:15-2:45pm (UK time) online on Zoom starting 9th January 2024.
Who is it for?
Emerging singing group leaders, existing leaders who want to develop their practice, health practitioners, arts and health facilitators, school teachers and anyone interested in leading singing groups.
What is included?
- 6 x 1.5hr live sessions
- Classnotes from the sessions
- Opportunities for one to one coaching during sessions
- Recordings of sessions
- Certificate of course attendance and completion
How much?
Early bird bookings by 15th December £180
Full course £199
Two instalments of £110 each due by 8th January and by 29th January 2024
Course dates
Tuesdays 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th Jan, 6th Feb, 20th Feb. NB. No session on Tues 13th Feb.
Max 8 participants on the full course
Please contact me with any questions: reroutledge@gmail.com
Course Structure
Week 1: All about YOU – identifying your strengths and areas of development, clarifying your role as a singing leader.
Week 2: Warm-ups – what, how and why?
Week 3: Arm-gestures and non-verbal communication – starting and stopping, beating time, louds/softs/expression.
Week 4: How to efficiently teach a song.
Week 5: How to make your group sound amazing – active listening exercises.
Week 6: Trouble-shooting – managing group dynamics, pitching issues, recruitment and more.
My approach
I create a safe and supportive space to learn and grow together, mirroring how to effectively lead a singing group, where participants are seen, heard and co-creating with their facilitator. Combining practical musicianship skills with extensive singing leading experience, this course is practical. Each session is structured around how to lead an effective singing session, starting with a warm-up, learning a song and with demonstrations and opportunities to try things out.
My background
I am a singing leader and singing for health practitioner-researcher who is passionate about inclusion and using group singing to support the healthy development of individuals within a community. After a degree in music and philosophy, I specialised in choral conducting, studying with Antoine Finck in Lyon, France. From there I founded and successfully led over 15 community choirs and singing for health groups in the UK and France (Pram Chorus parents’ choirs, Vocality Singing, Sol Singers) as well as leading groups for the Southbank Centre, London and family support charities Little Village and Homestart.
My experience is with people of all ages and abilities, from beginners to professionals in hospitals, schools, corporations, community and voluntary organisations and with people who have experienced homelessness, refugees, adults with disabilities/learning difficulties, children with SEND, mothers with PND amongst others. After attending training in creative leadership with Peder Karlsson (The Real Group, Perpetual Jazzile), I have developed an approach starting from a principle of care, developed into practical strategies to leading and running a choir to ensure inclusion, equality, listening, respect and each person being of value to the group. This has evolved into studying for a Masters with the Voice Study Centre in Singing for Health, conducting research into the health effects of singing.
Please contact me with any questions – reroutledge@gmail.com
