Marie Price
Hello everyone, I would like to introduce myself as the St Albans Area RSCM Education and Training Officer. I have been running church choirs for over 23 years, as a choral scholar at Exeter University , as assistant choirmaster at Hendon St Mary (London Diocese) and as director of Dunstable Priory Girls Choir for 13 years until this summer. I am not an organist; by trade I am a music teacher mostly for the primary school age range; I currently run three children's choirs, including the new Parish Junior Singers at St Albans Abbey (known as the PJs) and assist with conducting an adult church choir. I have a husband and three children who are all enthusiastic singers of church music too.
The role of the Education and Training Officer (ETO) involves all kinds of activities for all age ranges within church choirs in the area. I would really like to know what YOU - the singers, choir directors, trainers, organists, RSCM members in our area - want to happen. What do you like that your area committee have laid on so far? What do you not like? What opportunities have you always thought we should give you, but you have never had the chance to say so? What good ideas do you have? What would you like help with? The ETO is not primarily concerned with children (as some might think) - my role is to help all ages with their musical development in church music.
Sometimes I am sent promotional copies of new RSCM publications. I will bring these to area events for members to have a look at. Many of the latest publications are copiable which is very handy. Some come with audio CDs, some with a CD ROM containing the same pieces in alternative keys, with words in another language, with optional instrumental parts, sometimes with an alternative arrangement (e.g. unison rather than SATB). It is a new way of looking at buying music for more flexible use, which you may be interested to look at and consider before buying.
I would really like to hear from you, your opinions will be very helpful when the committee are planning future activities. Please contact me through the website Contacts page.
A report, with photos, of this event which was held at St John's Boxmoor on 23rd November 2008.