Aldbourne Conducting Course Calling Aspiring MDs

Aldbourne Band is once more calling on conductors to join them at their annual conducting weekend on 20th-22nd October 2017 with David Johnson BMus (Hons) LLCM LRSM.

Based in the picturesque village of Aldbourne in Wiltshire, David Johnson will coach delegates through an intensive weekend on how to release the potential of their band, focusing particularly on rehearsal technique, with the help of the successful Championship section band of Aldbourne.

Open to conductors of all abilities, from those just starting out to already accomplished conductors, David will lead sessions on training a band, finding and solving problems within rehearsals, and preparing bands for concerts and competitions. Delegates will also have the opportunity to work on challenging Championship section pieces with the band.

A spokesperson for Aldbourne Band told A4B: “We’ve thoroughly enjoyed the last three courses, and it has been fantastic to see how much each of the delegates improved over the weekend and under David’s tuition. A number of the conductors from previous courses have returned each year; a true testament to David’s expert tuition.”

Nominated ‘Conductor of the Year’ in the 2011 4BR Awards, David Johnson has vast experience both as a musician with the Royal Marines Band Service, adjudicator, and as an engaging conductor, consistently leading bands through the rankings to success at major contests. As Musical Director of Aldbourne Band, David unleashed the potential of the band with very few changes in personnel, leading them to victory as First Section National Champions of Great Britain in 2011 to a top ten finish at the National Finals in the Championship section in 2016.

David is also an accomplished arranger for brass band and wind band; recently being honoured with one of his arrangements debuting at the London premiere of the latest James Bond film ‘Skyfall’.

One-to-one evaluation with David will help delegates iron out technical problems and prepare them for the return to their band. The weekend will culminate with a concert performance where the conductors can show of their newly honed skills.

The course costs £200 for the weekend, including copies of scores, refreshments and lunch. For more information about the course, including an application form, please contact the band administrator Jane Lewis on [email protected]