26 June – 3 July, 2010

A Week of Choir Singing

Earlybird special: Book by April 1 and get a special price of $1850 (flights not included).

Gary’s course is a joyful celebration of the human voice. He believes passionately in encouraging everyone and anyone to sing, and has often helped people who never believed they could produce a note to be part of an exciting and harmonious choir. During the week, we will learn songs and pieces in a range of styles including classical, pop, gospel, jazz and world music. As well as a celebration of the human voice, it will be an exercise in making voices work together to create something beautiful, something greater than a single melody line. Through melody, harmony, rhythm and words we’ll be exploring the high points – those fabulous climaxes which leave singers and audiences powerfully moved and wanting to come back for more. “The thing I love about choir singing is the excitement of discovering that almost everyone can do it, and do it quite well.”

Teacher Gary Smith is a well known and highly popular choir director. His particular skill lies in his ability to communicate simple or complex pieces of choral music to small or large groups of people, leaving them with a satisfying and uplifting musical experience. His vision of the music is clear and strong and he knows how to get it across. Whether it’s a piece of traditional Hawaiian folk music, a medieval madrigal or a jazz standard, Gary has an approach to teaching where everyone feels included and capable of achieving the beautiful sounds they never thought they were capable of.

Gary has been singing with and directing choirs and small a cappella groups for over 35 years in styles as broad as church music, opera and classical, pop, jazz, gospel and various world music traditions. A graduate of the NSW Conservatorium of Music, Gary taught music in high schools for many years and currently works with several community choirs in Sydney as well as singing tenor in the a cappella jazz quintet The Fifth House, recent winners in the MacDonald’s Performing Arts Challenge.

The course is structured around morning workshops, with afternoon excursions to visit local Fijian choirs – and free time when you can swim, snorkel, walk or just lie by the pool and read a book.

Programme

Saturday 26 June
Travel to Nadi and on to Savusavu.

Sunday 27 June
9.00am – 12.00pm: Workshop
1.00pm: Poolside lunch.
2.00pm: Coconut demonstration
Afternoon free for swimming, snorkeling, relaxing.
6.30pm: Pre-dinner drinks. Dinner and informal singing.

Monday 28 June
9.30am – 12.30pm: Workshop
1.00pm: Lunch
Afternoon: Visit to village with church choir
7.00pm: Dinner and informal singing.

Tuesday 29 June
9.30am – 12.30pm: Workshop
1.00pm: Lunch
Afternoon: Optional visit to town, visiting the geothermal hot springs, the local market and the shops.
7.00pm: Dinner and informal singing

Wednesday 30 June
9.30am – 12.30pm: Workshop
1.00pm: Lunch.
2.00pm: Visit to village with church choir.
4.30pm – 6.30pm: Beach outing
7.00pm: Dinner and informal singing.

Thursday 1 July
9.30am – 12.30pm: Workshop
1.00pm: Lunch
3.00pm – 5.00pm: Free afternoon
6.00pm: Drinks at Savusavu Yacht Club; dinner in town

Friday 2 July
9.30am – 12.30pm: Workshop – Final session
1.00pm: Lunch
Afternoon: Free time. Options for private tours, relaxing.
4.00pm – 5.30pm: Village visit for traditional Fijian meke (dance)
7.00pm: Dinner, concert and party

Saturday 3 July
Return to Nadi and on home.