ABCD Webinar
Join our FREE webinar with ABCD
We’re delighted to be partnering with the Association of British Choral Directors (ABCD) to deliver an inspiring webinar for choir leaders, musical directors and organisers who are looking to plan or develop their choir’s touring programme.
Together with experienced choir directors from across the UK, we’ll explore the opportunities, challenges and rewards of taking a choir on tour. Our speakers will share their personal experiences and advice to help you plan a successful tour that inspires your singers, strengthens your choir and creates unforgettable musical experiences.
Date: Thursday 17 September 2026
Time: 5:00pm (BST)
Location: Online via Zoom
Cost: FREE
Hear from choir leaders with first-hand touring experience
Three experienced choir directors will share their touring stories and practical advice.
Topics will include:
- Planning and organising successful concert tours for adult choirs.
- Choosing destinations, venues and performance opportunities.
- Managing logistics, budgets and choir expectations.
- How touring strengthens choir culture, encourages member retention and creates lasting musical memories.
- Working with specialist tour operators to deliver a smooth and enjoyable experience.
Meet the Speakers!
Fiona Ross
Music Administrator – Serenata Female Voices
Serenata Female Voices is an all-female choir bringing together singers from across the East of England to perform a wide-ranging repertoire spanning secular and sacred music from the 12th century to the present day. Alongside regular concerts and fundraising performances, the choir recently toured Spain, performing in sacred venues including Girona Cathedral and the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona.
An experienced music administrator, Fiona has spent more than 25 years planning music tours for schools and adult groups. Drawing on her extensive experience organising both domestic and international trips, she understands the many challenges involved in coordinating group travel. From managing logistics and finances to ensuring the wellbeing of travellers, she knows that a successful tour depends on much more than simply booking flights and accommodation.
In this webinar, Fiona will share her insights into the benefits of taking a choir abroad. She will also discuss the practical advantages of working with a specialist tour operator, offering tips for choir leaders and organisers on planning an enjoyable and stress-free tour experience.
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.
Live Q&A
Following the speaker presentations, we’ll host a live Q&A session, giving you the opportunity to ask your questions directly to our panel of experienced choir directors.
Why join us?
Whether you’re planning your choir’s first overseas tour or looking for fresh ideas for your next adventure, this webinar will provide guidance from people who have done it themselves.
Join us to hear honest experiences and valuable lessons learned from choir leaders who understand both the rewards and the realities of organising a successful choir tour.
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.
Sign up to our MTA Webinar!
Do you also lead a school choir group? We are excited to announce that we’re co-hosting a FREE online webinar with the Music Teachers’ Association (MTA) – hear from experienced music teachers on how touring enriches music departments and changes students’ perspectives.
Get ready to leave with new advice and lots of inspiration!
Date of Webinar: Tuesday 22 September 2026 at 5:15pm BST via Zoom