Personal Development stream syllabus
This stream is classroom based, covering topics from all judging categories: music, performance and singing. Introductory classes on chords and arranging also feature, so there's something for everyone!
This stream is perfect for
- those who want to learn and understand more about Barbershop for their own education
- music leaders in choruses such as section leaders and performance teams
- those who realise that a weekend standing on risers is not for them, but still want to attend Harmony College.
How it works
If you enrol in this stream, you will choose from of the class options available from the syllabus allotted to each session, to make up your own personal timetable. Your challenge will be to choose just 6 that work with the combinations on offer!
Note: if you cannot fit all your choices in because the sessions clash, you might find some of them on the breakout sessions list (available closer to the event) as an alternative way of attending! You will have an opportunity on the form to let us know of any classes you really want to do but couldn't make work for your personal timetable.
Tell us your class choices in advance
You will need to submit your class choices by Friday 31st March, so that the stream leader can put it all together and make sure everything is ok, and check that no class is over- or under-subscribed.Please submit your choices via the button below, after reading all the details of the classes to help you decide which you are most interested in.
Tell us your class choices
If you are already enrolled in another stream and would like to switch to this one, because the classes on offer are too tempting to miss, please contact us at harmonycollege@labbs.org.uk first, to check that's possible (it likely will be) before filling out the form.
Class Details
Music Category classes
- Developing the MUSical Theme
Tools for identifying and developing the MUSical Theme when starting a new song, which will steer the interpretative choices you make for a cohesive performance. - Embellishments and how to get the most from them
An in depth look at the variety of embellishments that we find in barbershop music, and how to understand their purpose and use them most effectively. - Consonance - A Physics perspective of overtones
How you can use science and the physics of sound to ring more chords! A consonant sound with lots of lock and ring is a hallmark of the style and will please all categories. - Delivering a MUSical message
An in depth look at Delivery from a MUS perspective, highlighting synergies with the other categories. - Tools for improving Execution
Tips and tricks to raise your level of execution from good to excellent! - You be the Judge - Music
A fun/practical session where you test your skills and evaluate performances from the Music category's perspective. We will watch a performance or few together and talk through our thought processes and how Music judges arrive at their scores. - Making the Most of Your Music
What are the features in your music that you can exploit artistically to enhance your enjoyment, and your audience's? No music theory knowledge required! - The Generation of Harmony: Chords
A theoretical look at (and listen to) how different types of chords in the barbershop chord vocabulary are made and written. Bring your existing understanding of notes, scales and basic intervals to make the most of this class. - So what is Barbershop Harmony anyway?
This class is for you if you already know (or have just learned) about the construction of different types of chords and want to know more about how they are used in an arrangement to make barbershop harmony special and different from other genres of a cappella. - Making Your Music Fit
Looking at how you can adapt an existing arrangement that doesn't fit your ensemble - perhaps it's in the wrong key, too low in places for basses, too high for tenors, too long, don't like the tag, or you can't make that long post... learn how you can adapt it! You will need an existing understanding of basic music theory for this class. - So You Want to Arrange?
A session for novice arrangers, covering where to start, what to consider and best-practice rules (do's and don'ts) for arranging in the barbershop style. For this class you will need to have an existing understanding of "enough" music theory, including chords.
Performance Category classes
- Stage fright? It's alright!
A look at what causes us to feel nervous with methods and ideas to help overcome these barriers to performance - It aint what you do...
A theoretical and practical look at how execution directly impacts success of staging and physicality - Page to stage
From choosing a song, to a refined final performance we will consider effective processes involved in preparing for stage - Finding freedom in expression
A practical and fun exploration of acting and improvisation techniques to find spontaneous and truthful delivery - Enhancing Authenticity
Examining the use of anticipation and reflection in carrying the audience on an emotional journey. Video examples across a range of performances. - Turning the page in story-telling
A theoretical and practical look at using the lyrics to enhance emotional pace in performance - The Psychology of Emoting & Empathy
A theoretical look at how our brains connect with our audience to convey emotion. - You be the Judge - Performance
A fun/practical session where you test your skills and evaluate performances from the performance category's perspective.
Singing Category classes
- An approach to Vocal Production
Things to consider when you support other singers (as well as your own) in their singing development. The different physiological aspects of vocal production will be discussed and considered. - Personal Vocal Improvement
Tips for undertaking this approach, to help singers strengthen the use of their voices during rehearsals and performances. There will be a structured programme of development to consider, together with some techniques that you can use with the singers. - Considering and identifying next steps in our own singing
Maybe you're singing in a quartet and would like to feel relaxed vocally? Maybe you'd just like to have a target to aim for, so that you feel you're being consistent in the way you use your voice during rehearsals and/or performances and not getting vocally tired? Volunteers will have an opportunity to have some individual vocal coaching during this session, that will enable you to make best and appropriate use of your voice in the future. - Vocal Expression
What is it, how do we achieve it? What options are there when we’re singing and what's the way forward? How do these affect our Vocal Quality? There will be some listening and analysis during this session. - Efficient and Effective Rehearsing
The usefulness of appropriate Warm-up activities for maximising the potential of good during rehearsals. - Tuning/Unity/Vocal Quality
What are Singing judges listening for in these areas? Different examples will be considered and discussed from a Singing judge's perspective.
Guest Educator Kim's session - attended by everyone on the stream!
- Ear & Interval Training
This class focuses on Aural Skills and Pitch Development. It serves as an introduction to tools that can be practically applied to your daily music making. We will explore exercises that develop the ear, strengthen interval recognition, sight reading, and aural memory.
Breakout "Pic-n-Mix" sessions
One session per day is planned in as a breather from your selected stream. You will be able to choose to attend a class on a variety of random topics, as offered by the faculty and indeed anyone attending who volunteers to lead one!If you want to talk over your idea before committing to it on the enrolment form (which isn't a set-in-stone commitment anyway), or perhaps you have already enrolled, please email the Harmony College Dean on harmonycollege@labbs.org.uk.
Volunteers and suggested topics are most welcome!
Do you have any questions?
Visit the FAQ page or email the Harmony College Dean on harmonycollege@labbs.org.uk
