Reading Music for Singers

Our popular, original taught course teaches you everything you need to know about reading music as a singer.
Become a more confident performer and learn everything you need to practise independently at home.

Beginner course - Adults

Suitable for amateur singers who rely on "following the shape" of the music in choir practice.  This course covers:

1) the basic time values (lengths) of notes;
2) how to name the pitches from A to G;
3) clapping first rhythms;
4) the purpose of time and key signatures;
5) first musical terminology for singers;
​6) starting to follow simple lines of music that move by step and small leaps;
7) how to find your way around your choir music.

COST: £30 for a 6-week taught course.  All sessions are 1 hour and take place on Zoom.  All worksheets are provided.

Choose from:
Mondays at 7.00pm, Wednesdays at 12.30pm or Sundays at 4.00pm (all GMT) from week beginning Mar 8th 2021.
Please note that this is a TAUGHT course which means you will learn live in a classroom setting and be able to get instant feedback and to ask questions as you go.

Intermediate course - Adults

Suitable for singers who have a little musical knowledge, perhaps through learning an instrument.  This covers:

1) a refresher of all the basics you should know;
2) how to identify keys and use key signatures properly;
3) following more advanced vocal lines containing movement by step and leap;
4) ledger lines;
5) clapping more complex rhythmic patterns and counting dotted rhythms;
6) further musical terminology, signs and symbols;
7) looking at real choir music.

COST: £30 for a 6-week taught course.  All sessions are 1 hour and take place on Zoom.   All worksheets are provided.

Choose from:
Wednesdays at 2.00pm or Sundays at 2.30pm (all GMT) from week beginning Mar 8th 2021.
Please note that this is a TAUGHT course which means you will learn live in a classroom setting and be able to get instant feedback and to ask questions as you go.
Reading music as a choral singer is different to reading music as an instrumentalist - and who better to teach you than a choral conductor and composer?  Join Emma as she gently guides you through the theory behind reading music and then helps you apply it to the sheet music you use for your own choir practice.

Taking part in a virtual choir project? 
Perfect!  This course will teach you everything you need to practise at home, independently.

Nervous about joining a choir? 
No worries!  The course will give you a great head start before you walk into the rehearsal room.
​
​A bit rusty? 
Then allow us to reinforce those buried childhood music memories (without the scary piano teachers!).

feedback about the beginner course

"​I am thoroughly enjoying the course, it's the perfect pace for me and the exercises are fun.
I have learned a lot already and the scores are beginning to make sense. It's like learning to read but with notes instead of words. So pleased I joined, definitely feel I will reap the benefits"

- Pat

"After only a couple of sessions I have learned so much and already feel more confident reading a score (yes, even that dreaded bass clef!!) Emma’s resources are excellent and the sessions are well paced (and fun!). Very pleased I decided to enrol on this course and can’t wait to put my new ‘skills’ into practice!"​

- Liz

"In just two classes so far, I have learned things that I can apply to my choir music. It’s exactly what I need."

- Meg

"Emma has paced the course just right, we don't feel rushed. I have learned things I have not understood for many years of singing in a choir. I'm sure it will be of huge benefit when we ever sing properly in choirs again."

- Lynn

​"While I have been singing for years, just like a piano, I needed tuning... a visit and review.
As we explored the keys, they gained deeper meaning. And my “tuner,” Emma is gentle, humorous, and engaging."

- Ana

And if you're in a different time zone then don't worry - we record all sessions and upload them to YouTube with a private link, so that you can watch back at a time that suits you.  We've already had learners from all over the UK, Europe, the USA and Australia - and we even use additional US musical terminology, too!