Choral Director Training Day

Led by Charles Béquignon-MacDougall
Join us for an inspiring and practical Choral Director Training Day led by the renowned conductor and choral specialist Charles Béquignon-MacDougall. This day is designed for choral directors and workshop leaders who wish to develop their skills and deepen their understanding of choral leadership and sound.
The day will include a wide range of practical warm-ups, songs, and vocal exercises, focusing on healthy vocal production, ensemble awareness, and effective rehearsal techniques. Participants will have the opportunity experience exercises that can be taken straight back to their own choirs.
A key session of the day will focus on refining and shaping the sound of choirs, exploring tone, blend, balance, tuning, and musical expression. Charles will share insights into how conductors can encourage a unified, flexible, and expressive choral sound, with practical strategies applicable to choirs of all levels.
This training day offers a supportive and engaging environment to learn, sing, and exchange ideas with fellow choral practitioners, guided by one of the leading figures in choral music today.
Whether you are an experienced conductor or new to choral directing, this day will provide inspiration, practical tools, and renewed confidence for your choral work.

Charles Béquignon-MacDougall is recognised equally for his artistry as a singer and for his transformative work with choirs, singers, and teachers, making him one of the UK’s most influential champions of choral singing and music education.
He is currently Creative Director of Gabrieli Roar, ABRSM Consultant (co-leading ABRSM Voices), Ambassador for Britten-Pears Arts, and Director and Trustee of the Choral Foundation at Hampton Court Palace’s Chapel Royal, having previously held the post of Choral Director of The Voices Foundation, and Vocal Ensembles Coach and Tutor in Vocal Studies at Junior Trinity. He is also an accomplished choral conductor and vocal coach: he is Chorus Director for Gabrieli Roar, one of the Musical Directors of Trinity Laban Conservatoire Chamber Choir, and conductor of two choirs and an upper voices group in London, and has acted as Chorus Master for projects with the BBC, National Youth Choir, and Music for Youth, among many others. 
His leadership and artistry have been widely acclaimed. In 2024, he was part of the artistic team that secured both a Gramophone Award and a BBC Music Magazine Award for the Gabrieli Consort’s recording of Elgar’s Dream of Gerontius. His work in music education has earned consistent recognition, from winning the 2018 Music and Drama Education Award for Excellence in Primary/Early Years to finalist nominations in 2019, 2022, 2024, 2025, and 2026 for projects with VF/DRET, ISM Trust, and Gabrieli Roar. In 2025, his work in community music was honoured by His Majesty The King.
A highly sought-after facilitator, Charles leads workshops for the BBC Singers and London Symphony Orchestra, promotes contemporary choral repertoire for Oxford University Press, and supports choirs and educators through ISM, ABCD, UK Choir Festival, Military Wives Choirs, and the Music and Drama Education Expo.
As a performer, Charles was a founding member of VOCES8 (2005–12) and continues to sing with ensembles including the Gabrieli Consort, London Voices (appearing on numerous film soundtracks), and London Early Opera. His collaborations span genres, with artists such as Jacob Collier, Facesoul, and the James Taylor Quartet.
His solo credits include: Messiah (Hitomi Memorial Hall, Tokyo); Christmas Oratorio (Izumi Hall, Osaka); St. Matthew Passion (The Guards’ Chapel, London); Evangelist in St. John Passion (Dalby Kammarkör, Sweden); Bach Early Cantatas (Les Inventions, Dijon Opera House); and the role of Richard III in John Webb’s The Last Plantagenet(Philharmonia Orchestra, De Montfort Hall). From 2014–18, he gave recitals across France and Belgium at Commonwealth War Graves for the Centenary commemorations, and in 2018 made his solo debut at the London Handel Festival.
Charles holds a BA (Hons) and MA (Distinction) from Durham University, a PhD from the University of London, and certificates in Coaching and Mentoring (Guildhall School of Music & Drama) and Vocal Health First Aid (NCFE Level 2).