Workshops

This workshop will introduce Australian songs and tell the historical story behind them: Basically, it's about the connection between land and spirit, belonging, memory and place. The songs express hope - that we can connect across cultures and borders and bring everyone together through song.

JANET SWAIN
Janet Swain founded her company 'Song Dynasty Music and Events' in 2000 in Australia and has been involved in establishing community choirs for 25 years. For her, singing is a key to understanding different cultures. Currently she leads sessions and choirs, teaches music in elementary school, sings, composes and performs her first little musical 'Delphi Goes Bassooning'.

What can we learn about tuning if we think about the function each note has in a chord? What can we learn if we tune to the natural harmonics already within our voices, instead of the piano? James will be offering both practical exercises and guided theoretical approaches.

JAMES ROSE
James Rose is an international vocal group educator, lending their expertise worldwide to spaces such as A Cappella Academy, Guildhall School of Music, Codarts’ Vocal Leadership and the City of Basel Music Academy. James is a veteran performer of a cappella, touring worldwide with acclaimed internet sensation group, ‘Accent’. James is also a contributing arranger for prominent groups, choirs and bands, including The Real Group, Voces8, Take 6, Naturally 7, The Swingle Singers and Rajaton

Learn the language of scat while you sight read and digest four different rhythm changes melodies ranging in difficulty (and without lyrics). This class emphasizes the teaching of instrumentally- influenced syllables to the singer who has never improvised before.

KIM NAZARIAN
Kim Nazarian is a renowned jazz artist, educator and lecturer who has received Grammy nominations. In addition to her work as an in-demand solo vocalist, she has performed worldwide with the vocal group 'New York Voices' for more than 35 years. She is a dedicated teacher of vocal jazz, vocal technique and ensemble singing, as well as a highly regarded speaker at numerous vocal festivals worldwide.

We will do exercises that include physical awareness, silence and simple improvisation. We will create a safe space where we can explore and relax and maybe some creative paths will appear that we can walk down.

KATARINA HENRYSON
One of the founding members of the Stockholm a cappella group The Real Group, Katarina Henryson has been known for her flexible alto voice and distinctive stage presence since 1984. She is active as a singer, artist and educator, leading workshops with concepts for choirs and vocal groups and exploring, among other things, a field of expression that can be described as sonic performance art.

The controlled use of harmonics, frequencies and vocal technique will make your choir sound more flexible and transparent. In this workshop you will experience how you can raise the performance of your choir to a new level by using different timbres.

MATTHIAS KNOCHE
The Berlin-based singer, choir director and arranger studied jazz singing at the Leipzig Academy of Music. Being a flexible vocal artist between bass, tenor and vocal percussion, he is on stage with Tanja Pannier in the a cappella duo Klangbezirk. At the Universität der Künste Berlin, Matthias Knoche teaches choral conducting in the field of jazz and pop, is internationally in demand as an arranger, and gives workshops and coaching for choirs, choir directors, and ensembles.

For some, the biggest barrier to creativity is just getting started. This workshop encourages us to jump in and go, before our brains can say no! This fast and fun workshop is guaranteed to make you laugh, and will hopefully give you more confidence to get creative.

KEVIN FOX
Canadian-born Kevin Fox has been at home in the world of contemporary a cappella singing for 25 years. Internationally, he has made a name for himself as a performer, choral director, workshop leader and arranger, helping singers and ensembles realize their creative musical potential. He toured the world for 12 years with the Grammy award-winning group 'The Swingles'.

Ever felt like you would like to sing with less effort and more ease (comfort?)? In this session, Liz will introduce you to some of the breathing and vocal techniques and approaches she uses for herself and her vocal students. Bring something comfortable to lie on!

LIZ SWAIN
Liz is an established and versatile vocalist, choral conductor and soloist known for her passionate and forward-thinking approach. An experienced vocal coach, she currently works in the jazz department at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and Kingston University, championing the expansion of choral education, innovation and participation in the UK.

This is the workshop you didn’t know you wanted to go to until you did.😉 Join us for groovy 80’s beats, long forgotten melodies and guilty pleasure dance moves.

MEREL MARTENS
Merel Martens graduated with top grades from the Royal Academy of Music (DK) in 2015 with a Master in 'Vocal Leadership'. She is a full-time choir director, arranger, teacher and vocal coach. She is particularly concerned with creating a positive energy flow in rehearsals and making sure that all participants feel safe and included.

In this workshop, you'll learn to make music with your own body, clapping, snapping and stomping. Help us to enrich the body percussion rhythms with sounds, voices and harmonies that emerge directly on the spot and without sheet music.

WYSCH
Corinne Schmidiger & Mattias Wyss, 1 duo, 2 voices, 4 hands, 4 feet and so many things to do with it. We are a body music duo from Switzerland. We love to cover songs of different styles and from all over the world. We love to groove and move with our hearts and souls. We love to try new things and improvise. We love the creative moments during our rehearsals as well as ginger tea. And of course we love to share our music and bring joy to others.

Sven is a choir leader with great interest in involving singers in the arranging process. Based on music in the moment, and artistic brainstorms he creates an arrangement that all the singers involved have ownership of. Skills to read- and write notes are not needed!

SVEN KEET
Sven Keet (1995) is a conductor, arranger, singer and beatboxer based in Amsterdam. His absolute favorite way of making music is by using the voice! During his bachelor to become a music teacher at the conservatory of Amsterdam he discovered his love for conducting and arranging for choirs and he decided to make this his main job. He is the conductor of Playground, which he founded in 2018, and SONAR. He is a high tenor and beatboxer in MAZE voices and other projects. Last summer he graduated from the master Innovative Choir Leading at the conservatory of Aalborg. He is frequently asked by choirs and vocal groups for coachings, workshops and arrangements.

A thought, an idea, a melody? How does songwriting work? You will learn how to playfully use your voice to transform your own ideas and thoughts into song lyrics and melodies. Maybe this is the birth of the next and new festival song?!

PATRICK HEIL
Patrick Heil has been writing songs ever since he can remember. He studied school music at the Musikhochschule Freiburg and is active as a songwriter, singer and pianist. He is a founding member and singer with Unduzo, leads choirs, writes, arranges and gives workshops in songwriting. His arrangements have won prizes from the German Choir Association and have been featured on international a cappella compilations.

Beatboxing and vocal percussion have become kind of an essential part of choirs and vocal groups in the modern pop a cappella scene. In this workshop you will receive practical instructions on how to accompany your ensemble best with the simplest tools. What sounds good is right!

JULIAN KNÖRZER
Julian Knörzer from Freiburg is a studied school musician, choir director (MH-Freiburg, RAMA Vocal Center Aalborg) and co-founder of the Black Forest Voices Festival. As a beatboxer, singer, choir director and arranger he is active in the German vocal scene and internationally active as a lecturer. With his a cappella band UNDUZO and the beatbox duo Acoustic Instinct, he has been touring the German-speaking countries since 2005.

The Alemannic dialect is a language that crosses borders. We sing contemporary, original Vorarlberg arrangements of popular Alemannic folk songs in different styles and find out: s`groovt (Alemannic = it’s grooving).

TIMEA DJERDJ
Timea Djerdj is a choir director, concert pianist, cultural scientist and is interested in musical rarities 'i nöiam Heaß' (in new garb). She is currently working with the Breisgau Choir Association on a cross-border Alemannic choir book, accompanying Uli Führe in a program of Alemannic Hebel settings on the piano, and directing various choirs in the Breisgau-Hochschwarzwald region.

We offer space, - away from the daily rehearsal routine, towards your own body and music authentic movements. Skillful tools and musical intuition form the basis: "Speak less and show your music" - with a view to the connection of breathing with voice and hands.

CLAUDIA BURGHARD
Claudia Burghard's preference for improvisation runs through almost all of her ensembles. She sings, conducts and explores music of different hues with open ears, a lot of heart and soul. Whether a cappella, big band, chamber jazz, classical or improv group, she loves the change of perspective. Her 50-member choir 'Vivid Voices' received various first prizes in international competitions.

CHRISTOPH HILLER
Christoph Hiller studied school music, trumpet, conducting and worked with various choirs and ensembles from both the classical and popular fields. His work as a lecturer for choral and ensemble conducting led him to the music academies in Leipzig and Weimar. He is bass of the a cappella band MAYBEBOP and composes and produces music for music publishers and stage in his own studio.

In this class we will be doing exercises, meditations and reciting readings, that allow us to take an internal journey. The purpose is to drop inside ourselves, so we can explore new levels of expression, and elements of ourselves that are hard to reach by traditional means.

KIM NAZARIAN
Kim Nazarian is a renowned jazz artist, educator and lecturer who has received Grammy nominations. In addition to her work as an in-demand solo vocalist, she has performed worldwide with the vocal group 'New York Voices' for more than 35 years. She is a dedicated teacher of vocal jazz, vocal technique and ensemble singing, as well as a highly regarded speaker at numerous vocal festivals worldwide.

The human body is probably the oldest musical instrument. Rémi Leclerc from the ensemble Humanophones has the pleasure to share and pass on his art, which is based on an anatomic mix of dance, intercultural body grooves and music.

RÉMI LECLERC
Rémi Leclerc is a passionate pianist, trained at the Royal School of England in classical music, jazz and improvised music, as well as trained in acoustic scientific studies. He is passionate about sharing his approach to body music with very large audiences and gives workshops throughout Europe and Africa, notably as part of the International Body Music Festival.

Short chants and songs for anyone. In this open singing we will learn some simple songs. They are designed for anyone to sing, from beginners to advanced singers who might use the songs as a springboard for more complex impro and harmony singing.

JANET SWAIN
Janet Swain founded her company 'Song Dynasty Music and Events' in 2000 in Australia and has been involved in establishing community choirs for 25 years. For her, singing is a key to understanding different cultures. Currently she leads sessions and choirs, teaches music in elementary school, sings, composes and performs her first little musical 'Delphi Goes Bassooning'.

Whether in canon, dancing or experimenting with the voice - singing together is simply fun! Let's go on a musical journey together
on which we will encounter fruit salad and dancing frogs, as well as our very own creativity. Suitable for children between 5 and 10 years.
Cost: 5 euros, duration: 45 min.

RAFFAELA DILLES
Raffaela Dilles studied cultural studies and aesthetic practice (music/art) in Hildesheim and elementary music education in Freiburg. She works as a singer, choir director and lecturer for elementary music education at the Freiburg University of Music, where she teaches children's voice training, among other things. As a singer she is active in the Jazzchor Freiburg and the a cappella band Kaleidoskop.

Christoph Hiller's "Patches" stand for short songs, loops and canons that stand between warm-up and choral piece. They can be sung as enrichment of the sing-in, to practice certain sounds and techniques, as small concert fillers or just for fun.

CHRISTOPH HILLER
Christoph Hiller studied school music, trumpet, conducting and worked with various choirs and ensembles from both the classical and popular fields. His work as a lecturer for choral and ensemble conducting led him to the music academies in Leipzig and Weimar. He is bass of the a cappella band MAYBEBOP and composes and produces music for music publishers and stage in his own studio.

The human body is probably the oldest musical instrument and Rémi Leclerc of the ensemble Humanophones, through his entertaining and progressive approach, shows us how to coordinate and transform our body into a rhythmic instrument in a mixture of dance, intercultural body grooves and music.

RÉMI LECLERC
Rémi Leclerc is a passionate pianist, trained at the Royal School of England in classical music, jazz and improvised music, as well as trained in acoustic scientific studies. He is passionate about sharing his approach to body music with very large audiences and gives workshops throughout Europe and Africa, notably as part of the International Body Music Festival.

How do I announce my ensemble? And through this, how do I bring life to the show? How do I attract an audience away from the music? How much am I allowed to talk? The workshop is aimed at everyone who wants to cut a good figure on stage, even apart from the music.

LUKAS TESKE
Lukas Teske graduated as a vocal soloist and vocal pedagogue at the Hochschule für Musik 'Hanns Eisler' in Berlin. Besides his work as tenor and vocal percussionist of the nationwide touring a cappella group Maybebop, he produces and mixes albums and works with children, choirs, teachers, professionals and anyone who enjoys using the voice as a rhythm instrument.

The workshop is presented by the choral association Schwarzwald-Baar-Heuberg 1886 e.V.

What happens when we combine simple scores & circle singing with movement & body music? Can we blend in body percussion like we do in singing? Merel and Rémi will explore the opportunities. Let’s wake up body, voice & creativity and BE music!

MEREL MARTENS
Merel Martens graduated with top grades from the Royal Academy of Music (DK) in 2015 with a Master in 'Vocal Leadership'. She is a full-time choir director, arranger, teacher and vocal coach. She is particularly concerned with creating a positive energy flow in rehearsals and making sure that all participants feel safe and included.

RÉMI LECLERC
Rémi Leclerc is a passionate pianist, trained at the Royal School of England in classical music, jazz and improvised music, as well as trained in acoustic scientific studies. He is passionate about sharing his approach to body music with very large audiences and gives workshops throughout Europe and Africa, notably as part of the International Body Music Festival.

Latvian Voices have created a branch of singing that cannot be attributed to either traditional folk or classical choir. This hybrid style is often referred to as “in the manner of Latvian Voices”. This workshop is about exploring their style of choral singing.

LAURA JEKABSONE
Laura Jēkabsone is a Latvian composer, singer, conductor, vocal teacher, artistic director and vocalist of the group Latvian Voices. She is a graduate of the Jāzeps Mediņš Academy of Music and the Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music. In addition to her education, she attended master classes in conducting, a cappella singing and composition. Her music is performed by musicians in Latvia and abroad.

UNA STADE
Una Stade's background includes elementary school and jazz department at the Cathedral Choir School in Riga, as well as a bachelor's degree at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Graz. She gained professional experience in numerous music-related positions. Currently, she is a singer with Latvian Voices and a teacher at Riga Cathedral Choir School, where she also leads the gospel choir and the department of musicals.

Transgender and non-binary community has grown a lot. In this session we will go through all the different possibilities that can affect the FTM (female to male) and MTF (male to female) singing voice during transition and how to guide them with practical singing exercises.

SVEN KEET
Sven Keet (1995) lives as a conductor, arranger, singer and beatboxer in Amsterdam and loves to make music with his voice. While studying to become a music teacher at the Amsterdam Conservatory, he discovered his love for conducting and arranging for choirs. He is a high tenor and beatboxer with MAZE voices, conductor of Playground and SONAR and is often requested for workshops and arrangements.

Come and follow Christine's footsteps into one of the most remote villages in the deep mountains of Taiwan and sing songs from the Bunun tribe, one of the 16 aboriginal tribes on the island.

CHRISTINE LIU
Christine Liu is a contemporary a cappella and church musician. She completed her composition studies at Northwestern University in Chicago, USA, and studied at the Kirchenmusik-Konservatorium Wien in Austria. In her native Taiwan, she founded the vocal group Voco Novo, which aims to bring the traditional music of Taiwan and its indigenous people to the a cappella world.

In Merel's opinion, it is the best of both worlds: improvised vocal music and arrangements. The excitement of the unknown, followed by the relief of perfect harmony. But how do we combine this? MAZE shows us some examples, we brainstorm about it - and are invited to sing along!

MEREL MARTENS
Merel Martens graduated with top grades from the Royal Academy of Music (DK) in 2015 with a Master in 'Vocal Leadership'. She is a full-time choir director, arranger, teacher and vocal coach. She is particularly concerned with creating a positive energy flow in rehearsals and making sure that all participants feel safe and included.

MAZE
The vocal group MAZE Voices from Rotterdam brings together 20 talented singers from the Netherlands. With a mixture of original songs and unusual covers, they ignite enthusiasm on stage. MAZE thinks outside the box, tries to do things a little differently and creates an artistic space where improvisation and creative contributions of each individual are valued.

Konrad Zeiner gives an introduction to very special types of vocal sound. The participants will first be trained in the awareness of enhanced overtones and then two main forms of the so-called throat singing will be explored in more detail.

KONRAD ZEINER
Konrad Zeiner, member of the vocal swing quintet 'Java Five, has been on the road since 2001, primarily with the vocal band SLIXS, and is also active as a singer-songwriter of electronic pop music with German lyrics (current project: NEONHELD). In addition, he is active as a performer and has, among other things, guest performances at the New Theater in Halle (Saale) and 2018 with SLIXS at the Schauspielhaus Bochum.

Nanguan is one of the most ancient music from southern China. Its unique music style is still kept today. In this workshop, you will get to understand what Nanguan is, see the scoring system from the Far East, learn an excerpt from a composition by Taiwan's Nanguan master, Wang Xinxin, and hear how Voco Novo, one of Taiwan’s leading vocal groups, mixes the ancient music from the West with the ancient music from the East.

CHRISTINE LIU
Christine Liu is a contemporary a cappella and church musician. She completed her composition studies at Northwestern University in Chicago, USA, and studied at the Kirchenmusik-Konservatorium Wien in Austria. In her native Taiwan, she founded the vocal group Voco Novo, which aims to bring the traditional music of Taiwan and its indigenous people to the a cappella world.

Latvian Voices have created a branch of singing that cannot be attributed to either traditional folk or classical choir. This hybrid style is often referred to as “in the manner of Latvian Voices”. This workshop is about exploring their style of choral singing.

LATVIAN VOICES
The a cappella group Latvian Voices combines their cultural heritage - Latvian folk songs - and the world-famous Latvian choral sound, respectfully mixed with contemporary a cappella and world music. Since 2009, they have performed acoustically and amplified in more than 35 countries worldwide. Besides concerts, they share their experience in a cappella workshops and founded the Latvian Voices A Cappella Festival in Valmiera.

MAYBEBOP is the band you can't get past if you listen to the German-language a cappella scene. They've been on the road to success for 20 years and can't be squeezed into any genre. Here they answer questions about how the heck they do it.

MAYBEBOP
The playful a cappella quartet MAYBEBOP has been setting standards in German entertainment for almost 20 years with its numerous stage programs. MAYBEBOP sends small and large ears on a journey into ever new musical worlds. In doing so, the band, recently named "Group of the Decade", remains true to itself by not taking itself seriously. And if it does, it touches all the more.

Uncover secrets of rhythm and groove in this eye-opening, theory-focused workshop, which incorporates animation, sound design and song-analysis to help make the learning journey accessible and conceptual. It also includes a free rhythm webapp designed by James!

JAMES ROSE
James Rose is an international vocal group educator, lending their expertise worldwide to spaces such as A Cappella Academy, Guildhall School of Music, Codarts’ Vocal Leadership and the City of Basel Music Academy. James is a veteran performer of a cappella, touring worldwide with acclaimed internet sensation group, ‘Accent’. James is also a contributing arranger for prominent groups, choirs and bands, including The Real Group, Voces8, Take 6, Naturally 7, The Swingle Singers and Rajaton

What is stage presence? How can we strengthen the connection between the singers and increase expressivity?
 These are some of the questions we will address in this workshop, where you will also learn concrete exercises for more stage presence and free, emotional and intuitive music making.

FELIX POWROSLO
The coach and director Felix Powroslo stood on stage himself for years. He began teaching and directing while still a student at the Bavarian Theater Academy. As an actor and singer, he made guest appearances at city and state theaters on a full-time basis; today he works primarily as a presence and syst. Today he works mainly as a communication trainer, director and lecturer at universities.

The workshop is presented by the choral association Schwarzwald-Baar-Heuberg 1886 e.V.

What can a cappella do? What possibilities are there with the voice as the only instrument? And: How do you produce the sound of a band with it? But: Do we want that at all? What chance lies in the search for sounds that bands, orchestras, instruments can't conjure up? SLIXS give answers and insights into the use of their voices!

SLIXS
The six vocal artists of SLIXS turn the listening habits of the a cappella genre upside down. With their powerful and daring mixture of pop, jazz, classical and world music, they thrill audiences at concerts across Europe and Asia. They explore what the human voice is capable of and take you on a journey into a paradise of timbres, onomatopoeia and vocal percussion.

Arranging - but how do you get started? And how can you achieve convincing results with simple means? Oliver Gies will try to answer all questions about arranging. Voice leading, harmony, voicing, etc. will be explained in a down-to-earth and practical way.

OLIVER GIES
Oliver Gies (*1973) grew up in Rotenburg/Wümme. After graduating from high school, he studied mathematics and school music in Hannover and composition/arrangement jazz/rock/pop in Essen. He is a founding member and creative head of the a cappella formation MAYBEBOP with concerts throughout Germany and is one of the leading arrangers on the German choral scene. Oliver Gies lives in Hanover with his partner and two children.

The workshop is presented by the choral association Schwarzwald-Baar-Heuberg 1886 e.V.

We will do exercises that include physical awareness, silence and simple improvisation. We will create a safe space where we can explore and relax and maybe some creative paths will appear that we can walk down.

KATARINA HENRYSON
One of the founding members of the Stockholm a cappella group The Real Group, Katarina Henryson has been known for her flexible alto voice and distinctive stage presence since 1984. She is active as a singer, artist and educator, leading workshops with concepts for choirs and vocal groups and exploring, among other things, a field of expression that can be described as sonic performance art.

What holistic potential does singing in a children's choir have for children and how should the space be designed in which children can develop this potential freely? In this workshop we will explore together what it means to live holistic children's choir work and thus enable children both artistic-pedagogical and social spaces for development and growth within the children's choir.

HENRIKE SCHAUERTE
Henrike Schauerte is a cultural scientist and a breath, voice and speech teacher. She works as a consultant for children's choir programs at the Deutsche Chorjugend, where she is responsible for the SingBus project and leads the child protection project.

The workshop is presented of the German Youth Choral Association. Thank you!

The "a cappella pros" Michael Eimann and Jan Bürger develop ideas with the participants on do's and don't's and many other aspects of "being a band". In retrospect, they look at their own experiences and reflect on whether things that went "wrong" were also important and good.

JAN BÜRGER
Since the age of 8, Jan Bürger has been a regular on the boards that mean the world. Starting in the Göttingen Boys Choir, his musical path led him to MAYBEBOP, where he has now been active as a countertenor, songwriter and arranger for 24 years and plays around 100 concerts a year. For the last 10 years he has also been giving regular workshops and writing arrangements for choirs and vocal ensembles.

MICHAEL EIMANN
Michael Eimann has been a passionate singer since early childhood. He works as a freelance musician, singer and pianist in various music projects. As a composer and arranger he works for orchestras, theaters, films, bands and choirs. For many years he has been the producer and musical director of SLIXS, which has won the CARA (A Cappella Recording Award) several times.