Education Day with the Maryland State Boychoir

The Baltimore AGO chapter’s “Education Workshop,” was held at the Maryland State Boychoir Center for the Arts, led by Maryland State Boychoir Director Stephen Holmes. This Education Workshop, sponsored by the Baltimore AGO chapter has for the last several years been held on Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday.

We started the morning with a light breakfast and socializing, and then moved into the beautiful sanctuary space where the choir rehearses to be led through some lively warmups by Stephen Holmes. He explained that he uses warmups to engage the brain as much as to teach breathing and vocal techniques. And engage the brain, he did! He kept us on our toes as we imitated clapping patterns, responded to unexpected conducting cues; and repeated four beats behind whatever conducting, gestures, or vocalizations that he gave us. It was great fun, and elicited laughter several times. A wide variety of vocal warmups followed the brain teasers.

A brave and confident 11-year-old chorister came in to be coached by Stephen as we listened and watched, followed by a choral reading of a dozen pieces. I was impressed with how attentive Stephen was to this young chorister; observing and listening carefully; always complimenting him on what he did well, but constantly nudging him onward and upward. Afterwards, we enjoyed lunch together and conversation. We left with a packet of great music and equally great ideas for working with children and adult choirs.

In our work as musicians, we are so often giving to others as we share our music. Today we were able to sit back and learn; to fill our wells. It was wonderful to meet new friends, and to greet old ones. Today was a gift, and I left feeling refreshed and inspired.