Saturday 11 May was a very special day for our Women on the Podium program. Tori Longdon, Principal Conductor of the Covent Garden Chorus and Assistant Conductor of the National Youth Training Choir, took an incredible workshop for our current Women on the Podium scholars.
The day was split into three sections. The first, a 'Voice Seminar' on how to use your voice on and off the podium and the psychology behind directing singers. This is something that can often be overlooked for orchestral conductors.
The second part of the day was all about 'Preparing to Prepare'. A discussion about the art of running a good rehearsal, including score prep, time management and other important skills for preparing an ensemble effectively.
And lastly, a 'Masterclass on European Choral and Orchestral Repertoire', with excerpts from Handel's Messiah performed members of Perth Symphonic Chorus and accompanied by piano. This was a great deep dive section of the day with Advanced Scholars having the opportunity to jump up on the podium to conduct these sections with great guidance from Tori herself.
It was a day in which so much valuable knowledge and experience was gained for our scholars to take with them on their future journeys.
"I was very fortunate to be given the opportunity to attend Tori Longdon’s workshop as part of the Women on the Podium program.
Tori is an energetic presenter and facilitator and I found her presentation on vocal techniques engaging and motivating, which gave me some great ideas for my own practice.
In the afternoon, we were joined by members of Perth Symphonic Chorus for a Choral Masterclass. Tori is able to quickly gain the trust of the group and creates a safe learning environment for the participants. I particularly found my first session of podium time very practical, and I was then able to implement the strategies for my second session.
Thank you Tori and the WOTP program for such a great day of learning and development."
- Advanced Scholar Elizabeth Hamer
"Tori provided a safe, informative and engaging environment for me to learn in. She was so interesting to learn from and listen to, I was enthralled by what she was teaching, and by the way she delivered her class. She was articulate with such a warm charisma, traits that any aspiring conductor should strive to embody when leading an ensemble of any kind. I was really able to be vulnerable on the podium with her, to find my areas that I needed to work on. I would follow her on or off the podium, she's a true ambassador for women in leadership."
- Advanced Scholar Leanne Puttick
CHECK OUT SOME OF THE PHOTOS FROM THE WORKSHOP:
