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Orchestra Conductor on Stage

CONDUCTOR'S FORUM

Hosted at Central Territorial Headquarters, the Conductor's Forum is designed for individuals currently conducting brass bands and choral groups within the Salvation Army, who are looking to further develop their leadership skills. Attendees will have the opportunity to conduct the Chicago Staff Band or the Central Territorial Staff Songsters four separate times over the course of two days.

When: January, 14-16, 2022
Sign-up Deadline: November 1, 2021
Where: Territorial Headquarters, 5550 Prairie Stone Parkway, Hoffman Estates, IL 60192
Musicians: Chicago Staff Band & Central Territorial Staff Songsters
Guest Clinicians: Philip Harper & Leonard Ballantine​

GUEST CLINICIANS

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Philip Harper became Musical Director of the Cory Band in 2012. Since then he has won all the major trophies many times, including an unprecedented Grand Slam of major titles in 2016: the European, the British Open, the Nationals and Brass in Concert, all won in a single calendar year, and then repeated in 2019. Philip won the coveted 4barsrest.com Conductor of the Year Award in 2013, 2015, 2016, 2019 and 2020. In recent years he was a guest conductor of the Manger Musikklag Band in Norway, the National Youth Brass Bands of Great Britain, Switzerland and Wales and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Symphonic Brass, amongst many others.

 

A resident of Gloucester, Philip was the Editor of Brass Band World magazine between 2009 and 2015 and, since 2005 has been the Music Editor of the historic Wright and Round publishing company.

 

Philip is a prolific composer and his original works and arrangements are played all over the world. In 2016 he composed A Shakespearean Triptych for a 650-strong joint ensemble and choir conducting the first performance in a packed Royal Albert Hall at the Last Night of the Schools Prom.

 

En route to this point in his life, Philip graduated from the University of Bristol in 1994 before going on to take a Masters Degree in Composition and a Post-Graduate Certificate in Education. He had a successful performing career and was the principal tenor horn of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain and the Sun Life Band in Bristol, as well as winning through to the Brass Final of the BBC Young Musician of the Year in 1991. Between 1996 and 1998 he lived in Japan and was a guest soloist with most of the 'British-style' brass bands with whom he still keeps a close connection, visiting annually (pandemics notwithstanding!)

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After an early start on piano, Len’s interest in choral music was sparked by chance at the University of Toronto where he joined the Concert Choir in search of an ensemble credit. That experience turned out to be life changing. He had been bitten by the choral bug! For a time, Len took on every leadership opportunity that came along just to be in front of singers. It seemed to him that the vocal experience embodied everything that was good about music making; communication, shared endeavor and bringing heart to the sung gospel. Word rhythms, phrasing, harmony and diverse styles stimulated his love for the art. As a result, Len has spent a lifetime working with amateur choirs, instilling in each his passion for the artform. Within The Salvation Army, Len has led the (Toronto) Earlscourt/Yorkminster Songster Brigade, the New Life Singers, The (UK) International Staff Songsters and currently the Canadian Staff Songsters. He also leads a 65-voice SSA choir in his local community of Parry Sound, Ontario.  

Orchestra Conductor on Stage

REPERTOIRE

All attendees will have four separate opportunities to conduct. Please choose repertoire from the following categories. Scores may be purchased at samusicindex or Trade Central.

BRASS BAND SELECTIONS
March (choose one):

  • A.R.C. Centennial March - Stephen Bulla

  • Praise - Wilfred Heaton

  • Celebration - Leslie Condon

  • The Red Shield - Henry Goffin


Small Ensemble Series (choose one):

  • Variations on Hanover - Martin Cordner

  • St. Clements Variations - Erik Silfverberg

  • Prelude on "Ein Feste Burg" - Robert Redhead

  • Come Thou Almighty King - James Curnow


Offertory (choose one):

  • In Perfect Peace - Kenneth Downie

  • I Know Thou Art Mine - Leonard Ballantine

  • Guardian of Our Way - James Curnow

  • Reflections in Nature - Robert Redhead

 

Major Work (choose one):​

  • The Kingdom Triumphant - Eric Ball

  • Aspects of Praise - William Himes 

  • The Present Age - Leslie Condon

  • Variations on 'Laudate Dominum' - Edward Gregson


CHORAL SELECTIONS
Choose one selection for each group below.

 

Exuberant Praise (choose one):

  • You Can't Stop God - Gowans/Hayes

  • We've Come This Far By Faith - Mark Hayes

 

Consecration Songs (choose one):

  • I Know a Fount - Benjamin Harlan

  • As Water to the Thirsty - Kevin Norbury

 

Devotionals (choose one):

  • I Have Seen the Glory - Chris Brindley

  • My Help - Jackie Farris

 

Anthems (choose one):

  • Every Nation Under Heaven - Leonard Ballantine

  • How Sweet the Name - James Curnow

SCHEDULE

 

FRIDAY, JANUARY 14

11:30am - Check-in

12:00pm - Welcome & Lunch

1:00pm - Rehearsal Techniques Workshop: Philip Harper

2:00pm - Conducting Technique Session 1

  • Brass Band: Chamber brass ensemble

  • Choral: Central Territorial Staff Songsters

4:00pm - Break

4:30pm - Panel Discussion (Repertoire Choices – Sunday morning, holidays, festivals)

  • Harold Burgmayer, Derek Lance, Len Ballantine, Philip Harper 

5:30pm - Dinner

7:00pm - Conducting Technique Session 2

  • Brass Band: Chicago Staff Band

  • Choral: Central Territorial Staff Songsters

9:00pm - Snack

SATURDAY, JANUARY 15

8:00am - Breakfast at hotel

9:00am - Devotional time/Testimonials/Praise & Worship

10:00am - Laban Movement Session: Harold Burgmayer

10:30am - Break

11:00am - Break-out Sessions

  • Brass Band: Philip Harper "Score Study & Rehearsal Preparation"

  • Choral: Len Ballantine "Unlock the Thing before you Sing"

12:00pm - Lunch

1:00pm - Conducting Technique Session 3

  • Brass Band: Chicago Staff Band 

  • Choral: Central Territorial Staff Songsters 

3:00pm - Break

3:30pm - Panel Discussion (Leadership issues: attendance, decorum, seating, etc.)

  • Harold Burgmayer, Derek Lance, Len Ballantine, Philip Harper 

4:30pm - Snack Break

5:00pm - Conducting Technique Session 4

  • Brass Band: Chicago Staff Band 

  • Choral: Central Territorial Staff Songsters 

7:30pm - Dinner (smart casual)

 

SUNDAY, JANUARY 16

8:00am - Breakfast at hotel

9:00am - Consecration Service

10:30am - Depart

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