Harmony College @ Convention

You spoke, we listened! Feedback following Convention 2022 and Convention 2023 told us two things: you love Convention, but you’d like some ‘extras’. So, for 2024 we’re trialling something a bit different: HC@Convention - a mini version of LABBS' ever-popular Harmony College!

As well as contests, show performances, mass sings and afterglows that we know you really enjoy, we’re adding some bite-sized sessions for you to try something different, brush up on your skills, learn something new, or just have some fun!

Here’s what we have in store:

FRIDAY

Chorus Directors’ and Assistant Directors’ meet-up with Liz Garnett
An opportunity for MDs and AMDs to get together for idea-exchange, experience-sharing and all-round mutual support.

Extreme Quartetting with Liam Buswell
Do you want to sing some well-known songs with three people you’ve perhaps not met and have never sung with? Extreme Quartetting is the perfect opportunity to do just that!

How to incorporate vocal craft into your warmups with Hannah Barber
QC Hannah will be delivering a practical guide to teaching warmups which promote good vocal techniques within your chorus or quartet.

SATURDAY

Extreme Quartetting with Liam Buswell
Another chance to try Extreme Quartetting if you missed the Friday session, or if you enjoyed the Friday session so much you want to do it again!

Tips for efficient rehearsals to drive improvement with Hot Ticket
LABBS’ 2023 Mixed Quartet Gold Medallists, Hot Ticket, will be sharing their tips and techniques for getting the best out of your quartet or chorus rehearsals.

Give Quartetting a Go with Barberlicious
Have you ever been tempted to have a go at quartetting? LABBS’ 2023 Women’s Quartet Gold Medallists, Beck, Bushra, Anna and Anne-Marie were all new to quartetting when they formed Barberlicious over 10 years ago, so understand how hard it can be to know how to get started!
In this informal session participants can have a go at singing one or two well-known LABBS polecats in quartet, in a friendly and supportive environment.

Tagging with Sharrow Vale Blues
Come along to learn and sing some tags with award-winning mixed quartet, Sharrow Vale Blues.

Performance Workshop with Performance Judge, Kirsty Williams
A practical exploration of performance techniques to help you become a better performer.

SUNDAY

Chorus coaching under glass with Performance Judge, Alison Zdzylowski
Come along to watch and gain a greater understanding of the Performance Category.

Quartet coaching under glass with Amersham A Cappella’s MD, Helen Lappert
Helen will be sharing her considerable experience and skills with a quartet, for you to come along and learn from too.

Polecat Frenzy with Musicality Judge, Angela Sanchez-Rosemurgey
Time for a sing! Angela will lead you in some polecats.

Learn to sing a sea shanty with Chris Netherton from Cornish shanty group, Stuns’ls
The RNLI are celebrating their 200-year anniversary this year, and so are our charity for the weekend. What better way to help celebrate than to learn a sea shanty!


All sessions are included in your Event Pass, and should last around an hour. Friday and Saturday sessions will take place throughout the afternoon, with Sunday sessions taking place in the morning. More info to follow, so keep an eye on our social media pages for updates.

It’s going to be such a brilliant weekend! Do head on over to the registration page of the LABBS website to register for Convention; online registration and prices end on 6th September.