Blackheath Conservatoire

Blackheath Conservatoire offers the opportunity for a small number of conductors to undertake a course of study with Denise Ham.

Her perceptive teaching, based on the Toscanini technique, is well known for giving conductors the tools they need to do their job effectively and in solving the particular physical and musical problems that they face. A fluent baton technique combined with integrated, relaxed body movement that conveys the music effectively is the goal for every student.

“This course gives you the confidence and technical ability required to conduct an orchestra successfully. It does it through detailed work on technique, the opportunity to share experiences in a group, and regular interaction with orchestral players. The teaching is thorough and superb and the feedback you receive from Denise, the other students and the players is invaluable. The course also broadens your repertoire and focuses on instrumental playing techniques. In particular, for me, this course has helped me to get the sound and colour from an orchestra by showing it rather than explaining it.”
Nicholas Chalmers, Assistant Chorus master, English National Opera

This specialist course at Blackheath Conservatoire is limited to a class of eight students and takes place all day on Fridays once a fortnight, enabling participants  to combine the course with their other work or study. Intensive individual tuition is given with the aid of two professional pianists for all sessions. An orchestral group is provided twice a term and the course can be reinforced with private lessons by arrangement.

Observers are welcome at a reduced fee and can participate
in the technique sessions that begin each day.

For course dates and further information please either email info@conservatoire.org.uk or contact the Conservatoire's reception on 020 8852 0234 and ask to speak to the Head of Music, Alison Moncrieff-Kelly. 
Fees: £765 per term, payable before the first class, plus a registration fee of £20, together with a non-returnable deposit of £130 which is deducted from the first term's fees.

Email: info@conservatoire.org.uk

Repertoire 2011 - 2012

Autumn Term:
Mozart - Symphony no 38 in D
Tchaikovsky - Fantasy Overture “Romeo & Juliet”  
Debussy - L’apres-midi d’un faune”      

Spring Term:
Mendelssohn - Overture “The Hebrides”
Weber - Overture “Der Freischutz”     
Britten - Les Illuminations
Beethoven - Symphony no 4 in B flat
Operatic arias to be decided

Summer Term:
Brahms - Symphony no 4 in E minor     
Rimsky-Korsakov - Scheherazade

Copland -  Appalachian Spring

“Having been somewhat sceptical about conducting “methods”, I became completely convinced by Denise Ham’s techniques during the Blackheath Course. As a direct result of the course I now find myself feeling confident and at ease in front of an orchestra and able to achieve the results I want quickly and effectively. Although it’s clear that Denise’s methods are born of a great deal of reflection and analysis, her teaching is always practical, and I came away from her sessions eager to try out some new techniques on the podium. More than that, I’ve found myself really enjoying conducting again, and re-discovering my love for the repertoire. Denise’s course does exactly what it says on the tin!”
Richard Smith, Director of Liturgical Music Courses,
conductor of the Wantage Choral Society and the Froxfield Choir

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Wickham Conducting Weekend - 24th - 26th February 2012

The Wickham conducting course has run for almost a decade and has been immensely popular from its inception. Set in an English country house, students enjoy the beautiful Berkshire countryside and excellent cuisine as well as first class tuition. It is an ideal opportunity for conductors to develop their skills in a relaxed setting. Many use it as a preparation or refresher for the Sherborne Conductors’ Course (formerly Canford) - or as a “taster” if they have never attended Sherborne.

The course accepts 12 participants as well as observers. Observers participate in the general technique sessions and have the opportunity to conduct the ensemble on the Saturday evening.

The course accompanist is the renowned concert pianist Llyr Williams and participants and observers form the course ensemble.

The cost of the course is £240 for participants and £180 for observers, inclusive of tuition, all meals and drinks, including aperitifs and wine. Students will be accommodated either in the house or in a local B&B at a cost of £30 per night.

2012 Repertoire

Mozart - Symphony no 40 in G minor

Mussorgsky/Ravel -  Pictures at an Exhibition
Schubert - Entracte no.2 & Ballet Music no.2 from Rosamunde (D797)

Timetable for the weekend
Friday
1700 - 1730       Welcome tea
1730 - 1800       Technique warm-up
1800 - 1930       Preliminary lessons
1930 - 20.00      Pre-dinner drinks
20.00 - 22.00     Dinner
Saturday
09.30 - 10.00     Technique
10.00 - 11.15     First session
11.15 - 11.45     Coffee
11.45 - 13.00     Second session
13.00 - 14.30     Lunch
14.30 - 1500      Technique
15.00 - 16.15     Third session - orchestra
16.15 - 16.45     Tea
16.45 - 18.30     Fourth session - orchestra
18.30 - 19.00     Early evening drinks
19.00 - 20.00     Observers’ opportunity to conduct the orchestra
20.00 - 22.00     Dinner
Sunday
09.30 - 10.00     Technique
10.00 - 11.15     First session
11.15 - 11.45     Coffee
11.45 - 13.00     Second session
13.00 - 14.30     Lunch
14.30 - 16.00     Final Lessons - orchestra
16.00 - 16.30     Tea & Farewells

Download Application Form

Please download the Word Document Application Form and once completed email to
denise@denisehamconducting.com

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Sherborne Summer School of Music (formerly Canford)
Conductors’ Course

Held annually during the first two weeks of August. Intensive conducting tuition on a course headed by George Hurst with Rodolfo Saglimbeni, Denise Ham and Robert Houlihan

Official Organisers website: www.sherbornesummerschoolofmusic.co.uk

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George Hurst Conducting Masterclass
Sunday 6th November 2011, 10.30 - 5.15, Royal Academy of Music

Repertoire
Brahms - Symphony no 2 in D

Held twice a year, this is an additional opportunity to see Maestro Hurst teaching, with his revelatory insights into the works being studied, into conducting and music in general. Participants are by invitation but the day is open to observers. There is a technique session with Denise Ham for both participants and observers.

The cost of the day is £35 (students £20) which includes mid-morning & afternoon refreshments.

Contact Anne Ingram on 01452 522170 or email aingram15@tiscali.co.uk

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Bespoke Courses

Denise has given conducting seminars for various educational bodies in the UK, Europe, Australia and Tasmania. The day usually comprises a general technique session for all plus lessons for those opting to conduct. These can be with an instrumental group or with piano or with both. Denise can be booked to run a course to suit the requirements of your group. Please contact her by clicking here.

"There followed an evening of pure inspiration from Denise Ham. Can do - can teach. We were in the presence of a conductor whose body movement expresses every nuance of musical feeling - and who is also a first-class analyst. Like all the best teachers, Denise, through her subject, was simply teaching music. I was proud to be able to take one of my senior students...and thrilled that we should both come away better musicians".
News & Views Magazine - Autumn 1998

Wiltshire County Council - Music Service
Inset Day
"Thank you so much for your session at the WMS training last month. It was the highlight of the week. It extended the skills of our more experienced staff without being over the heads of the less experienced. Several members of staff immediately came to me to say what a brilliant day it had been.”
Valerie Hayward, Head of Service

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Private Tuition

Musicians from across Europe and beyond visit Denise privately for lessons. Overseas students often stay for two or three days for a sustained period of study. In the lessons Denise works with the student to establish a sound basis for physical movement, a clear, flexible baton technique along with use of the left hand and shows the student how to apply all of it to the music. Lessons can be with a pianist by arrangement and pupils are welcome to film the lesson so that reference can be made afterwards.

To contact Denise for lessons please click here.

“The work of Denise Ham is well known for its scope and magnitude.  She is a remarkable teacher for orchestral conductors and has a profound knowledge of the technique. She is an accomplished pedagogue, teaching with unique precision and clarity and she has a great artistic and musical gift. Her work encompasses rigorous control of  gesture through interpretation of the entire symphonic repertoire.” 
Laurence Equilby, conductor

“Speaking as a professional violist since 40 years, it is all too often true that the weakest link in the team of composer, conductor and ensemble is on the rostrum. Having had the good fortune early on of being trained by Leon Barzin in the National Orchestral Association (NOA) in New York, I learned the immense value of the “Singing Stick” technique of the Toscanini/Barzin method. 
Acquiring the essential skills to conduct is no easy task. Virtually everyone I spoke to advised me to go to Denise for instruction, and I feel very lucky to have found one of the world’s finest pedagogues. Her immense patience and her keen analysis of exactly what each pupil needs is very rare. I cannot say enough about the value of her teaching and my admiration for her abilities.”

Principal Conductor, Collegium Musicum, Siegen