Workshop Leader
“Alexander has a rapport with performers which is rare and charismatic. His sympathy for and understanding of an extremely wide variety of musical styles and traditions makes him a superb communicator and musical director. He is a wicked bass and piano player and does the best vocal warm-ups in the world. Plus he’s really nice, very generous with his time and effort, and delightfully unstuffy and modest about his musical brilliance.”
Alexander L’Estrange has led singers in choral workshops throughout the UK, from school halls to the Royal Albert Hall, and in the USA for the American Choral Directors Association as well as for the King’s Singers’ Summer School. His belief in the importance of singing in our schools and communities informs his compositions and, using these as a vehicle, he teaches choirs about rhythm, groove, style, audience communication, presentation and so much more.
“I have had the privilege to be an ABRSM examiner for 33 years now and yesterday was one of the highlights of those 3+ decades. Mark and Alexander have now honed their business down to a very fine art. Their unquestionable accomplished musicianship and presenting skills shone throughout the day. I was totally engaged and involved from 10:00 until 17:00. I enjoyed every minute. I didn’t really need to write much down as important issues were presented in such a way that the message just stuck in the brain. ”
Choose from these workshops led by Alexander L'Estrange
The Ahoy - Zimbe of Alexander L'Estrange
An excellent first choice for choirs wishing to experience a variety of L’Estrange’s music. Includes excerpts from all of his large-scale community works e.g. Zimbe!, Ahoy!, Song Cycle, Wassail! and Freedom! as well as an opportunity to sing some of his smaller-scale choral pieces
Come sing the songs of…. Alexander L’Estrange
The perfect choice for choirs preparing to put on a performance of Zimbe!, Ahoy!, Song Cycle!, Wassail! or Freedom! Alexander will guide performers through the piece, sharing top tips from the hundreds of performances he has been involved with himself to make your concert the very best it can be.
You can sing…but can you swing?!
A popular choice for choirs wishing to improve their performance of non-classical styles of music. Devised and led by Alexander L’Estrange in conjunction with his wife Joanna (jazz vocalist and former Musical Director of the Swingle Singers), choirs and their conductors will step-click their way to performing jazz and pop songs with authentic style. This workshop has an accompanying set of choral warm-ups, published by Faber Music.