Singers across the whole school were treated to a visit by our Vocal Music Fellow, esteemed conductor, masterclass and music teacher Ralph Allwood MBE. On Tuesday 28 June, Ralph brought his wealth of experience in the field of choral singing to school, spending a full day working with our vocalists in year groups, so they could gain maximum benefit from his teaching.
The day began in the Music School Recital Hall with a vocal workshop with selected Upper School boys. Next came a workshop with the Consort Choir, our joint chamber choir with singers from Bedford Girls’ School. His morning concluded with a move to the Prep School to rehearse the Prep School Y3 and Y4 choir, who enthusiastically performed their songs for their summer concert – Tinga Layo and Inchworm, much to Ralph’s delight!
The Chapel Choir rehearsal at lunchtime (for members of the choir from both the Upper and Prep School) was an especially extended one to allow for a conducting workshop, where our budding conductors also gained some valuable experience and insight into conducting a chapel choir.
During the afternoon, Ralph was based in the Prep School, where he enjoyed a workshop with some of our Prep solo singers. The grand finale of the day was a singing workshop with the whole of Y5 in the Erskine May Hall, who thoroughly impressed Ralph with two songs from Disney’s The Jungle Book.
Director of Music Joss Sanders told us, “It was a pleasure to welcome Ralph Allwood back to Bedford School this week. Ralph is a consummate musician and expert choral director, and he was clearly in his element as he worked with a variety of different groups of boys both in the Prep and Upper schools. Ralph brings over 40 years experience of directing choirs to his role as Visiting Choral Fellow, and it has been a real delight to have him involved in this aspect of the school’s music-making over the last few years.”
About Ralph Allwood MBE
Ralph was the Director of Music at Eton College for 26 years and is now a freelance Choral Director. He is also Director of Chapel Music at Queens’ College Chapel, Cambridge, and Director of the only conservatoire chapel choir in the world, the Old Royal Naval College Trinity Laban Chapel Choir.
