16th MEETING OF SWISS CHORAL CONDUCTORS

on the 6th of May 2027 (Ascension Day)
at the Musik- und Kulturzentrum Don Bosco, Basel

Every year, Switzerland’s major choral associations organise a professional development event for choral conductors and music students. While in odd years the event is held under the auspices of the European Youth Choir Festival Basel, in even years it forms part of the Choral Art symposium hosted by the Swiss Federation of Europa Cantat. The 2027 event will be the first to feature workshops aimed specifically at choral singers and other interested parties. Music students are welcome to attend all workshops.

To plan your day at meeting of swiss choral conductors, it’s a good idea to review the schedule for the day.
For an overview of the day’s events, click here.

INFORMATION

10.00 – 11.30 h
STAGE PRESENCE with Felix Powroslo, Germany
As both coach and director, Felix has been helping singers, ensembles and choral conductors enhance their stage presence and charisma for over 15 years. His workshops combine acting and systemic coaching with an in-depth understanding of the body and the voice. They enable choral conductors, singers, moderators and others engaged in public speaking to develop a self-assured, expressive and powerful stage presence. Felix’s hands-on support rests on his years of experience in theatre, singing and coaching. This workshop is aimed at anyone wishing to gain confidence and charisma on stage.
Workshop language: German (F, I, E on request)
Biography Felix Powroslo

10.30 – 12.00 h
READING SESSION with Susanna Lindmark, Sweden
Participants in this workshop will sing selected compositions for single-voice and mixed choirs by Susanna Lindmark. She will also talk about her philosophy of inclusive conducting and point up ways of making improvisation, movement and emotional expressiveness an integral part of choral work. Influenced as much by the classical choral tradition as by Swedish folk music and the Sami tradition of Joik, her music is remarkable for its sonorous timbres, captivating rhythms and atmosphere of simplicity. This has to do with her childhood in the far north of Sweden, whose landscapes, culture and northern lights are still a major source of inspiration for he, even today.
Workshop language: English (D, F, I on request)
Biography Susanna Lindmark

13.00 – 14.30 h
TINY CLASSICS with Tom Johnson, Belgium
This workshop is a chance to discover new choral works published by Carus and Helbling. The focus will be on Choireography for Canons, a collaboration between Helbling Publishing, Panda van Proosdij and Tom Johnson. Choireography for Canons combines newly composed canons with movement and gestures as a way of helping singers internalise the rhythms, phrasing, breathing and distinctive musical character of each new piece and so perform it more expressively. Tom will supplement this with some “little hits” from various song collections by Carus, demonstrating what makes these pieces so special, for whom they are best suited and how to tackle the musical challenges they present. The workshop will be a hands-on event at which participants will get to broaden their repertoire while discovering practical ideas for their teaching work. Above all else, however, it will be about the joy of singing and experimenting together. 
Workshop language: English (D, F, I on request)
Biography Tom Johnson

13.00 – 14.30 h
FOOTBALL CAN WAIT with Andreas Wiedmer and Marcel Fässler, Switzerland
This open rehearsal will offer an insight into the rehearsal methods of the Boys Choir Lucerne. Crucial to this endeavour is nurturing the boys’ musical and acting skills and getting them to react to previously agreed gestures and signs. The desired attentiveness is obtained by connecting playful, yet meticulous, vocal training to constantly changing spatial formations, which also answer the children’s natural urge to move. Workshop participants can take part, if they wish, and after a short break for reflection and Q&A will get to witness how in concert, carefully rehearsed songs can turn into semi-staged tales of mischief. The workshop is aimed at all those who have ever wondered how outstanding stage performances come about.
Workshop language: German (E, F, I on request)
Biography Andreas Wiedmer
Biography Marcel Fässer

15.00 – 16.30 h
SHOW DESPITE EVERYTHING with Andreas Wiedmer and Marcel Fässer, Switzerland
This open rehearsal will show how the men’s voices of the Boys Choir Lucerne rehearse their repertoire. Young singers whose voices are about to break or have already broken tend to prefer singing and performing only in the safe space of their own peer group. The repertoire, vocal coaching and choreographic work also have to be geared to the young men’s current resources and strengths. Participants in the workshop will actively benefit as much from the energy of the group as from its musical and dramaturgical concepts. They will experience the joy of performing together and getting as yet immature voices to resonate. The open rehearsal will offer anyone interested an exclusive peek behind the scenes of the choir’s truly exceptional educational work.
Workshop language: German (E, F, I on request)
Biography Andreas Wiedmer
Biography Marcel Fässer

15.00 – 16.30 h
GROOVE NOW! with Merzi Rajala, Finland
In this workshop, Merzi will induct participants into the principals of rhythm and groove. The many examples and exercises provided will demonstrate how groove can be internalised, embodied and then expressed in singing. Groove as a concept will also be discussed: What does the word actually mean and how can groove be generated? What is the difference between groove and pulse? What are “subdivisions” and “ghost notes” and how do they relate to the groove concept? There will also be small exercises showing how groove varies from style to style. Everyone is welcome to attend this workshop and through learning by doing to discover what groove is all about.
Workshop language: English (D, F, I on request)
Biography Merzi Rajala

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WORKSHOPS FOR CHORAL CONDUCTORS AND MUSIC STUDENTS

10.30 – 12.00 h
VOCAL TRAINING FOR THE OVER-SIXTIES with Dr. Salome Zwicky and Barbara Böhi, Switzerland
Ageing voices are as individual as singers themselves. This workshop is an opportunity for participants to broaden their understanding of what ageing voices need and what they can accomplish, based on a realistic look at singing in old age. Salome Zwicky will explain the anatomical, neurological and sensory changes that influence our singing voices as we get older. Building on this overview of factors affecting vocal quality, especially among older singers, Barbara Böhi will provide hands-on exercises for use in choir practice and will look at ways of persuading older choir members to engage in vocal exercises and coaching targeted to their specific needs.
Workshop language: German (E, F, I on request)
Biography Salome Zwicky
Biography Barbara Böhi

13.00 – 14.30 h
LET’S GROOVE! with Merzi Rajala, Finland
In this workshop for choral conductors, Merzi will share her expertise in how to get singers to groove. Participants will first learn the principals of rhythm and groove. Then, through hands-on exercises, they will learn how to enable singers to internalise and embody groove and then express it in singing. Groove as a concept will also be discussed: What does the word actually mean and how is it generated? What is the difference between groove and pulse? What are “subdivisions” and “ghost notes” and how do they relate to groove as a concept? Participants will also be given a range of small exercises to demonstrate how groove varies from style to style. Thanks to Merzi’s exceptional expertise, even experienced choral conductors can be sure of learning new ways of tackling old challenges.  
Workshop language: English (D, F, I on request)
Biography Merzi Rajala

13.00 – 14.30 h / 15.00 – 16.30 h
CHARISMA AND PRESENCE with Felix Powroslo, Germany
Pimp your choir! They know all the notes, but what about movement, vitality, expressiveness, playfulness, emotional depth? Is there room for more? In most cases, yes! As both coach and director, Felix has been helping singers, ensembles and choral conductors enhance their stage presence and charisma for over 15 years. In this workshop, he will present his most effective methods of enhancing choral performance and have choral conductors try them out in practice. These exercises will demonstrate how cleanly sung notes can be translated into an unforgettable experience. Felix will also work with small groups and individuals, making this workshop a unique opportunity for choral conductors.
Workshop language: German (F, I, E on request)
Biography Felix Powroslo

15.00 – 16.30 h
SING ON, TEENS! with Tom Johnson, Belgium
How can young people’s joy of singing be retained in the long run? This active workshop will examine various approaches to working with young singers. The questions it will seek to answer include how to build motivation, how to foster a positive group atmosphere and how to make rehearsals at once exciting and meaningful. The workshop will also look at how movement can help forge a connection to the music, promote note-learning and infuse performances with still more verve and expressiveness. Working together, participants will try out practical exercises, games and rehearsal methods that are easily transferable to their own choirs. Tom’s aim is to ensure that young choristers never stop singing, even after they leave school.
Workshop language: English (D, F, I on request)
Biography Tom Johnson

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SHEET MUSIC EXHIBITION AND SALE

Sheet music publishers Carus and Helbling will also be present with an attractive exhibition of choral compilations and sheet music.

To register, click here.
For the flyer click here.

The Meeting of Swiss Choral Conductors is to be held in collaboration with the Hochschule für Musik Basel FHNW/Musik-Akademie Basel.

It is recognised as accredited further training for the Swiss Confederation’s Programme J+M.