Big Band Singing Summer School - Benslow Music Trust
Sunday 6th - Friday 11th August 2023
Benslow Info & Booking
A rare and exciting opportunity to sing with a big band - provided by the course running alongside - under the guidance of big band singers Anton Browne and Jenny Howe.
A big band song will be allocated at the start of the course; after your voice has been assessed. A link will be given to download your track in MP3 format to your phone or other Wi-Fi equipped device - they could also be transferred from my laptop - some sort of recorder will be useful. If you have contemporary singing experience this is an ideal course.
What else will you be working on?
Microphone technique and p.a.
Vocal technique relevant to swing singing.
Stage craft and performance.
Making a song your own - please bring two jazz standards with chord charts.
Essential music theory - chord charts transposition, counting in etc.
Resident: £747 Non-Resident: £590 (25% off for under 27s) Code: 23/504
Start time; Sunday 7pm Finish time; Friday, after breakfast.
Benslow Music Trust, Little Benslow Hills, Benslow Lane, Hitchin, Hertfordshire. SG4 9RB
Recordings of big band arrangements for male voices
Big Band Songs will be allocated by tutors after assessing voices at the start of the course - unless otherwise agreed. Please keep this in mind.
The files below are for convenience.
Please respect “Fair use” - the right to use portions of copyrighted materials without permission for purposes of education.
Recordings of big band arrangements for female voices
Overview for Benslow Big Band Singing Participants
I’m glad you’ll be joining us on the course and I hope the following will give you a practical idea of what you might expect. Educational details are omitted as you will receive these separately.
- The week comprises us singers - many of whom return year after year - and we have our own agenda. Alongside are the big band students – many of whom return year after year and may number 20 or more – and they have their own agenda but gradually we merge.
- A large percentage of staff, tutors and students have known each other for many years so please don’t be fazed by the familiarity and camaraderie or feel left out in anyway.
- For the most part, dress is casual but there is the tutors’ concert - to which students are warmly invited, along with the paying public – and the student concerts. Singers will perform with the big band and also a small band which comprises members of the big band. This is free to the public and you’re encouraged to invite all and sundry. We mention the above as you might like to bring some glad rags! Up to you.
- After work is done each day, we tend to retire to the bar – sometimes until the early hours! The bar shuts at 23:00-ish so if you like a late-ish night, make sure your glass is full before close of play - some nibbles might help soak up the lemonade.
- You do get some free time and the lovely town centre with its amenities is a moderate walk away.
We hope the above helps you to prepare and we look forward to having a productive, enjoyable and musical time with you.
Regards, Jenny & Anton (course tutors)
