The Blog

The JTPTrust is a corporate member of  the Association of Teachers of Singing. JT Director reports from the 40th Anniversary Conference July 17-19th.

It was a most interesting conference with a variety of topics relevant to the JTPTrust and also a wonderful exhibition which included pictures of the JTPTRust boys presenting thd ‘Boys with Changing Voices’ video at the Teacher Training Course.

I have to pick three highlights, so, working backwards, there was a very interesting presentation on Sunday morning offered by leading educationalist Paul Harris, on the topic of  ‘The Virtuoso Teacher’.

Paul described the qualities which define a virtuoso teacher as first and formost being a virtuoso communicator and as imparting wisdom. The Virtuoso Teacher is a continual learner,a good role model, is focused on the student, positive, good humoured, patient, creative and innovative. Also important are an inward smile, a sense of humour, good judgement and the ability to reflecvt after the lesson. This seems a philosophy for us to really strive for in our work in the JTPTrust

Paul presented interesting teaching ideas, embedding each small part of  learning by taking out the ingredients from pieces and playing with them to create links in the brain via aural, visual and improvisatory means. The idea that teaching the right thing at the right time, thus making anything possible for a wide range of equally important students appealed to me, making the concept of difficulty simply a myth.

For the JTPTrust, another highly relevant speaker was Sally Cathcart from ‘The Voices Foundation’, a national organisation which works with voice and musicianship with small and older children, and is closely linked with Kodaly methods. Sally gave us lots of vocal games to develop the musician within, clapping games (Double Double Click Click), games based on scales (once a man lived in a well), call and response games (Engine Engine Number nine) and a delightful Welsh lullaby. She then linked these with rhythm and notation cards (something we already do in our JTPTRust lessons!) I am really looks forward to sharing this learning with our teachers in the Autumn.

Finally, I must mention the fantastic workshop by internationally known vocal coach Mary King, (most recently seen on BBC4 commentating on Cardiff Singer of the World) Mary worked highly energetically with three splendid young singers known to AOTOS, the youngest being OUR OWN WILLiAM PEARSON, now 19 years old (More on him in a separate blog soon). Mary took Will through a lively vocal workout, based on his performance of ‘Am Feierabend’ by Schubert, freeing his voice through a series of liberating movements to release the body and the tongue. It was a tremendous hour and one that Will and the other young singers will always remember.

The AOTOS conference is always memorable and there were other gems too, for example Professonr Paul Deegan speaking on ‘Kennst du das Land’ and Lynn Boreham’s Alexander’s Technique session.

Thank you to Chairman Penelope Price Jones for an entertaining and instructive programme.

The JTPTrust will benefit!!