ABCD Webinar

Meet the Speakers!

Ruth Bowe

Founder – Wellingborough Community Gospel Choir

Ruth founded Wellingborough Community Gospel Choir almost 14 years ago, following a successful Gospel Workshop Day at the school where she was working, led by professional musician Gareth Fuller. Today, the choir has over 140 members from the local community and continues to rehearse in the school chapel, with Gareth now serving as choir director.

The choir regularly performs in local churches and community halls, supporting local charities and community projects. They also take part in larger concerts across Northamptonshire and beyond, joining mass choirs at venues including the Royal Festival Hall, Royal & Derngate and the Old Savoy Deco Theatre.

As the choir’s volunteer administrator, Ruth has played a key role in organising its last two tours to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Drawing on this experience, as well as her years of organising tours while working in education, Ruth will share how the choir divides responsibilities, tackles the challenges of organising a tour for almost 100 adults, and uses creative ideas to make the experience enjoyable for everyone.

Following two successful tours, and having lived in Edinburgh herself, Ruth will also share her top tips for groups considering a trip to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Jane Hobson

Musical Director – Coro Amici

Jane Hobson is Musical Director of Coro Amici, a project-based choir that brings together singers of all abilities to take part in ambitious and rewarding musical experiences. Open to anyone regardless of previous experience, the choir performs a diverse repertoire ranging from classical and sacred works to jazz, Latin and contemporary music, and has undertaken concert tours to destinations including Normandy, the Netherlands, and Malta.

Over the years, Jane has organised everything from residential singing weekends to international concert tours, leading groups ranging from small ensembles to more than 100 performers. Through this experience, she has developed a strong understanding of the opportunities and challenges that come with planning tours for project-based groups, where participant numbers, expectations and needs can evolve throughout the planning process.

In this webinar, Jane will share how touring can enrich the experience of a project-based choir. She will also discuss the practical realities of organising tours for flexible membership groups, offering advice on managing uncertainty, communicating effectively and working with the right partners to deliver an unforgettable tour.

David Halford

Musical Director – The Kitchen Chorus Community Choir

David Halford is Musical Director of The Kitchen Chorus Community Choir, a thriving non-auditioned community choir that has grown from five friends singing together in a kitchen to a group of more than 60 members. Many of the choir’s singers had never sung in a choir before joining, and under David’s direction the ensemble has evolved from performing pop songs and show tunes at local fundraising events to tackling works by composers such as Mozart and Vivaldi.

Having led the choir in performances ranging from local community events to the internationally renowned Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate in Ypres, a memorial dedicated to those who lost their lives in the First World War, David has seen first-hand how shared musical experiences can strengthen a choir and bring members together.

In this webinar, David will share his experience of leading The Kitchen Chorus on its first international concert tour and explore the role touring can play in building choir culture. He will discuss how shared experiences help foster friendships, improve member retention and create lasting memories.

FREE webinar – Register today!

Thursday 17 September 2026

5:00pm (BST)
Online via Zoom

Register through ABCD to secure your free place today!

We look forward to welcoming you and helping your choir discover the exciting opportunities that concert touring can offer.

Register here