Workshops

Choir Training Workshops

Methodology:

  • Develop full attention and concentration on the present moment through a high pace of knowledge and assimilation.
  • Integrate in our “Western and white” idiosyncrasy something as racial and traditional as is gospel from the root, through audition and practicing immediately applicable exercises.
  • Learn to feel the Gospel from musical and emotional implication.
  • You will be given musical scores, links and audios of the topics in order to learn them before participating the workshop.

Tools / Techniques:

  • Control and conscience of tuning.
  • Practice and distinction of different vocal colors applied to gospel.
  • Sing in the rhythmic pulsation, “in the pocket”, and internalize the concept of rhythmic weight.
  • Comprehension and practice of the most common rhythms: binary and ternary.
  • Control of the dynamics, accents, articulations and legatos of expression.
  • Improvisation, expressiveness and interpretation
  • Rhythmic-corporal connection.

Format: (choose)

  • From 6-hour sessions to a whole weekend.

Groups: (choose)

  • For the creating of a Choir Workshop, at least 25-30 people are needed.

You’ll be interested if…:

Basic Level (Repertory 1)

  • If inside you that you feel you would like to sing…, but you think you can’t… Music is a universal right!
  • If you sing in a choir and you are curious to know what gospel is.
  • If you already sing in a gospel choir and you would like to deepen in it.

Average or Advanced Level (Repertories 2 / 3 / 4 / 5)

  • If you would like to acquire conscience of the technical and stylistic resources which make up this complex emotional and musical language, which needs to connect directly your emotions and your interpretation.
  • If you would like to extend your repertory and learn songs from spirituals to contemporary gospel.
  • If you would like to deepen your comprehension and acquisition of the essential musical and emotional elements of gospel.

Workshop:
Gospel & Spirituals

  • Format
    • From a minimum 6-hour session to a whole weekend.
  • Description
    • This workshop consists in a general vision of all the melodic, rhythmic and harmonic elements that come together to make up the genuine idiosyncrasy of Gospel.
    • From this general workshop, are developed the rest of the workshops, which are more specialized.
  • Level required
    • Basic / Average
  • Repertory
    • Emblematic songs which represent the different eras of gospel: Souled Out, I will bless the Lord, Jesus promised, Good Father, I can go to God in prayer, Going up yonder, Speak to me

Workshop:
Old Gospel School

  • Format
    • From a minimum 6-hour session to a whole weekend.
  • Description
    • This workshop is a discovery and a deepening in the rhythm, format, sound and style that are the basis of the Gospel which has reached nowadays.
  • Level required
    • Basic / Average
  • Repertory
    • The origins of Gospel in the churches of the south of the USA.
    • The most traditional Gospel and from its roots.
    • Highway to heaven, I believe, Take a trip, Victory, His blood still works, Gotta have faith, Even to the Lord.

Workshop:
Contemporary Gospel

  • Format
    • From a minimum 6-hour session to a whole weekend.
  • Description
    • At his workshop we have choir practice and also see the great evolution of Gospel, which has driven it to mix with all kinds of musical styles from global fusion.
  • Level required
    • Average / Advanced
  • Repertory
    • The fusion of Gospel with all contemporary musical styles. Take it to the Lord in Prayer, The Blessing of Abraham, Faith, Hosanna, Brighter day, I’ve got a feeling

Workshop:
Spirituals a Capella

  • Format
    • From a minimum 6-hour session to a whole weekend.
  • Description
    • At his workshop we will work on the mix of the “classical” Afro-American sound, the hidden meaning of the simple lyrics and the special rhythmic accentuation which give spirituals the connotation of being classic Afro-American music.
  • Level required
    • Advanced
  • Repertory
    • The spirituals and work songs, classic Afro-American music, sung a capella, as they were in origin. Joshua fit the battle of Jericho, Nobody knows, John the Revelator, Elijah rock, Speak Lord.

Workshop:
African Gospel

  • Format
    • From a minimum 6-hour session to a whole weekend.
  • Description
    • At this workshop we analyze and sing a mix of Gospel with African tradition through the simpleness of some sounds that touch the soul.
    • A return trip to Africa.
  • Level required
    • Average / Advanced
  • Repertory
    • Traditional Xosa, Zulú, Luganda, Swahili songs, enrooted in the sonority and spirituality of Gospel: Hakuna Mungu, Mama Tokaaba, Wahamba Nati, Mbube, Asimbonanga, Ke na le Modisa.
      

Testimonials

Ramón knows how to transmit his enthusiasm to the group. We chose him due to his experience and knowledge of the gospel world.  He doesn’t simply teach some songs, he teaches how to transmit, how to internalise and how to feel the thrill and thrill people with these songs, through dynamics, intensity and interpreting. Another differential factor is the repertory selection, which in principle are exclusive and new songs, and not the typical gospel songs.

Juanjo Gascó. Student
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