Brian Tate Choir Workshops

Many thanks for the inspiration and the learnings that you shared with us. You are a gifted teacher!
Judy Herrington; director, Tacoma Youth Chorus

Custom-design a workshop for your school, community, or church choir!

- fine-tune and polish your current repertoire
- learn new, easy-to-learn and fun songs
- for choirs of all styles as well as soloists
- request one or more of the following topics :

-FOR CHURCHES: A GOSPEL MUSIC WEEKEND

-WORLD RHYTHMS

-"WOW!"ING YOUR AUDIENCE

-LIFT UP YOUR VOICE: THE GOSPEL EXPERIENCE

-IT DON'T MEAN A THING IF IT AIN'T GOT THAT SWING!

-SINGERS' MASTERCLASS

Thank you so much for sharing your enormous talent and your sensitive approach to singers. You are rare indeed and we have all been touched by you.
Clare Mathias; director, Pender Island Choir
WORKSHOPS

For Churches: A Gospel Music Weekend

Bring your congregation alive with music! One of his most popular workshops, Brian leads an all-day choir workshop Saturday teaching several easy-to-learn gospel songs and spirituals he has composed or arranged himself, leading from the piano. There are opportunities for soloists, as well as a chance to expand the church choir to include members of the congregation (no music reading ability is needed for the workshop).

All the music learned Saturday is included in the Sunday service. Most of the music includes congregational singing, and Brian is an expert in inviting congregations to participate. Your church will never be the same!

"Thank you so much for all of your work with us. It was a blast!! One long-term member of our church told me that he thought your service was the best ever at our church. That's high praise indeed!"
Donna Brown, Choir Director, Unitarian Church of Vancouver

"Thank you for your enthusiasm and for sharing your talent with us. I think you'll be part of a new wave of music throughout UU sanctuaries this fall."
Beth Banks, Parish Minister, Unitarian Universalist Church of Davis, CA

"Everyone I've spoken to has been enthusiastic about your work here. We did "Go In Peace" at the end again last Sunday and everyone was singing. People are saying that music in the church will never be the same."
Margaret Nicolson, worship associate, First Unitarian Universalist Church of Hawaii

WORLD RHYTHMS

Everybody has rhythm! And much of today's contemporary choral repertoire features exciting African, Latin, and jazz rhythms. This lively, hands-on workshop will give you and your singers a solid start in getting a groove happening in your choir. Exercises include clapped and spoken rhythm "rounds", syncopations, African and Afro-Cuban music, and more. The rhythms are learned through movement, clapping, speaking, and singing. Easy-to-learn and fun musical games and songs will help your choir listen better, loosen up, and become a tighter ensemble. A guaranteed good time! For all ages and levels.

"WOW"-ING YOUR AUDIENCE

You've heard of "extreme"sports - how about "extreme" singing? Wowing your audience takes more than singing the right notes in the right place!

ex-treme; adj.
1. Most remote in any direction; outermost or farthest.
2. Being in or attaining the greatest or highest degree; very intense.
3. Extending far beyond the norm.

One of the most common challenges choirs face is to break away from "mezzo"-itis; that is, a middle-of-the-road approach to making music. Watch your choir come alive musically by taking its current or new songs to the extreme: in dynamics, phrasing, tone color, rhythm, and articulation.

LIFT UP YOUR VOICE: THE GOSPEL EXPERIENCE

Audiences and singers alike love to be moved and inspired by the rhythmic, passionate, and soulful experience of spirituals and gospel music. Combining elements of classical vocal technique with jazz and blues stylings, your choir will experience musical benefits that apply to all styles of music.This workshop consists of easy-to-learn songs taught in the oral tradition (or: polishing your current gospel or spiritual arrangements). Fun and inspiring for all!

The workshop includes:
- freeing the body and the voice: integrating singing, gesture, and movement
- feeling the rhythm rather than counting the beats
- stylistic elements such as "swung" rhythm, scooping and bending pitches, syncopated accents
- expanding vocal color and expression

IT DON'T MEAN A THING IF IT AIN'T GOT THAT SWING! : SINGING JAZZ

Jazz is one of the most liberating, exciting, creative, colorful, and limitless styles of music that any singer can explore. Whether as a choir or a soloist, singing jazz will expand your technical, musical, and creative range like nothing else!

The workshop includes:
- Jazz rhythms : swing and syncopation; getting tight by getting loose!
- Jazz phrasing: the "elastic line" and rhythmic freedom
- Jazz harmonies: fine-tuning your ear to extended harmonies
- Jazz color: "playing" your voice like an instrument; expanding your palette of sound
- Improvisation: allowing your own spontaneous musical ideas to bloom

This workshop may be for beginning to advanced jazz choirs (or choirs with little or no experience singing jazz), soloists with choir, or soloists alone.

THE SINGERS' MASTERCLASS: FINDING YOUR AUTHENTIC VOICE

A masterclass on technique, style, and interpretation for soloists. Participants may perform a song of their choice in any style: classical, pop, folk, jazz, etc; whether accompanied or acapella. Although there will be some attention to technique, the focus is primarily on singers finding their "authentic voice", and making the song uniquely their own. All levels may participate, and beginners are encouraged to participate with more experienced singers, as everyone works independently with Brian at their current level. This class may be done with the whole choir in attendance or only the soloists involved, at the discretion of the teacher and the wishes of the participants. This workshop is conducted in a safe and supportive environment!

MUSIC IN THE MOMENT: THE JOY OF IMPROV

improvise v.
1. To invent, compose, or recite without preparation.
2. To make or provide from available materials.
To invent, compose, recite, or execute something offhand.

The essence of musical expression; improvisation is the exploration and expression of spontaneous musical ideas, and is never the same twice! Based on the premise that there are no wrong notes and no bad choices, "The Joy of Improv" begins with a general warm-up with some bluesy/jazzy call-and-response patterns and then moves into:

1.) CIRCLE SONGS. Made popular by singer Bobby McFerrin, discover the joy of singing multi-layered, spontaneous musical lines to create a tapestry of sound. Brian will divide your singers into groups and give each group a line to repeat as other groups add other interlocking, ever changing parts. Discover the basics of improvisation as part-songs are built before your eyes (and ears)!

2.) SOLOING. Aspiring soloists are invited to improvise solos lines over a simple pattern sung by the other participants. Small ensembles may also be formed for even greater freedom and possibilities: imagine theatre sports, only with singing! This workshop helps build self-confidence, musicality, listening skills, creativity and spontaneity.

Any of the above workshops may be custom-designed or combined to suit your needs.

BIOGRAPHY

A native Vancouverite, Brian Tate is an award-winning composer as well as an arranger, choral director, musical director, vocalist, pianist, and percussionist. He received his degree in music from the UBC School of Music and went on to further composition and conducting studies in London England, and the Royal Conservatory in Toronto. He studied choral conducting with James Fankhauser and Jon Washburn. Brian's music has been performed around the world as well as broadcast on the CBC. In addition to the concert hall, he has composed for film, television, theatre, and radio.

From elementary school, Brian has been involved in music. Brian's first musical love was jazz, playing trombone and piano at Kitsilano High School. While at UBC he sang with the University Singers and went on to perform for several seasons with the Vancouver Cantata Singers, directed by James Fankhauser.

Brian enjoys an active career composing and giving workshops for community, school, and church choirs. He is the former Music Director of the 80-voice, multifaith Universal Gospel Choir and the student choir at Studio 58, Langara College's professional theatre school, where he also teaches singing. Brian frequently leads day-long and weekend workshops for singers of all levels. He co-founded the Ferguson/Tate/Larue Vocal Jazz Trio, performs with the Brian Tate Quartet, and also performs as an acapella soloist with electronics in his new project, Head Full of Voices. An avid fan of world music, Brian has a wide repertoire of choral music from West and South Africa. He studied West Africa drumming and was a member of the "Tree Frogs", a percussion ensemble performing traditional music of Ghana. Indeed Brian recently returned from visiting Ghana in order to study and research West African music.

Brian has composed numerous choral works including the popular "Gate, Gate", published by earthsongs, which has been performed extensively around the world. He also has works published by Pavane and Cypress publications.

A passionate advocate of learning and making music at all levels, Brian believes that music has a fundamental role in learning, communication, understanding, community, health, and wholeness.

TESTIMONIALS

I have watched Brian many times as a conductor and have been impressed by his conducting skills, and his knowledge of and interest in a wide range of repertoire. As a former professional choral singer, I set high standards for conductors. I think Brian really knows how to communicate with choirs, and he treats them with respect.

Sandra Head, A.R.C.T., M. Ed.

Brian has worked with and composed works for two groups I conduct, the Vancouver College Chamber Choir, and the British Columbia Boys Choir. His work with both groups had been exemplary.. Brian is deeply passionate about the music he presents in a way which is infectious to young singers and adults alike. His thoroughly professional approach brings the best out of these performers; he appeals to the mature musician in all of his singers. He is able to clearly articulate his excellent ideas in rehearsal and effectively reveal them through his conducting. Not only is he clear about what he wants, he knows how to achieve it, through a mixture of a disciplined approach and sheer inspiration.

Gerald Van Wyck
Head of Choral Activities, Vancouver Community College
Music director, British Columbia Boys Choir

The Island is humming with the news of your workshop which has percolated out into the community. You enabled all our singers to make enormous leaps and they feel so stimulated and inspired. Thank you so much for sharing your enormous talent and your sensitive approach to singers. You are rare indeed and we have all been touched by you.

Clare Mathias, director, Pender Island Choir

It is uncommon to discover a superb musician and a gifted educator in the same person. Brian Tate is such an individual. His workshop for our singers was inspiring, motivating and great fun. Most important, the learning was phenomenal, dramatically impacting the rehearsals and performances that followed. Our singers are looking forward to their next opportunity to work with Brian.

Judy Herrington, director, Tacoma Youth Chorus

COMMENTS FROM STUDENTS:

Brian is a fabulous choir instructor. He challenges us with new music and progresses as quickly as we can aptly do so. Challenges me to pay close attention and to be an active participant. Great pieces, too.

I have nothing but positive comments. I look forward to choir and always feel fantastic after class.

Thank you so much for working with us. I enjoyed your creativity. You are obviously passionate about music. Thank you for helping us with expression and dynamics. The rhythm activities you shared were very valuable (and catchy- I still have some running through my head!)

His passion for music is infectious.

I loved that we were able to bring our bodies into the songs. It reminded me that I am not a talking head. I loved that we did not focus only on North American music. We got a taste of culture.

Brian always provided encouragement and appreciation for our work. It has been wonderful to sing again in a choir that wants to work, with an instructor who knows the serious side must get done but throws in fun things too!

He has a very strong interest and passion for what he does. He is professional and expects the same of his students. The work is challenging, yet not frustratingly hard.

By his consistent attention to detail in every piece we do, he has challenged us to extend our range and ability.

"He made choir fun - it's my choice to be here."

FOR MORE INFORMATION, OR TO INQUIRE ABOUT BOOKING:

phone:(604) 251-5495
email: briantate@shaw.ca

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