Partnership Announcement - David Clover Festival of Singing!
We are thrilled to announce David Clover Festival of Singing as an official partner of Sheffield Music Hub!
Ian Naylor. Head of Music Education Sheffield shared “For generations the David Clover Festival of Singing has been supporting and inspiring young singers in the City and beyond. We are so lucky to have such a prestigious festival in Sheffield and we are delighted to welcome them as partners of the Music Hub. We look forward to supporting them to expand their reach and inspire many more young singers for generations to come"
What is the David Clover Festival of Singing?
Dr David Clover came to Sheffield in 1966 having been appointed as the city's Music Adviser to the Education Department. It was one of the earliest residential courses for music teachers and its daily choral sessions, organised by David, brought the first members of the Sheffield Teachers' Choir (as it was then known) together in 1968. The David Clover Festival of Singing was set up in memory of this charismatic and inspiring Musical Advisor to Sheffield. David Clover’s particular commitment was to the promotion of singing amongst school children – the artistic, psychological and social benefits of which he saw as indisputable and huge. To do that as effectively as possible, he set up the immensely popular Sheffield Teachers’ Choir – which still continues but is now called Sheffield Music Makers. Promoting singing amongst young people continues to be a major focus of the David Clover, the only amateur Music Festival in the UK devoted wholly to singing.
Following David's untimely death in 1979, The Teachers' Choir committee at the time decided that there should be a fitting and lasting tribute and memorial to his work. The result, in 1979, was the establishing of The David Clover Vocal Prize, the first competition being held in 1980. The David Clover Vocal Prize later became The David Clover Competition for Singers, and in 2010 was re-named The David Clover Festival of Singing. The original Vocal Prize provided an opportunity for singers to perform songs of their own choice with a view to being helped and encouraged by experienced judges of singing, and that ethos is still as strong as ever.
The Vocal Prize started in a small way with only two classes for those of secondary school age. Since its inception, it has grown into a competitive event of worth, high standing, credibility and stature in the eyes of discerning musicians not only in and around the city of Sheffield, but also nationally. It has also proved itself a worthy vehicle of encouragement and support for young singers. The Festival is now open to all singers from the age of nine, and its chief objective is to foster this branch of music making which was ever one of Dr Clover's greatest loves - singing. He strongly maintained, as others have done, that everyone has a musical instrument which can be developed - the voice - and much of his work was devoted to fostering the use of young voices whether as soloists or choralists. He believed that the voice deserved equal status with other musical instruments.
Tony from the David Clover Festival of Singing shared "The David Clover Festival of Singing is delighted to pair with Sheffield Music Hub and thrilled to be part of a larger network with the possibilities of sharing experience and expertise to the benefit of all involved."
David Clover Festival of Singing Voice for Life Workshop 1st March at 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Following the great success of the David Clover Festival of Singing Voice for Life workshop in May, David Clover Fesitval of Singing are delighted to announce another one!
When: Saturday, 1st March 2025 at Holy Trinity Church, Grove Road, Sheffield, S7 2HB, 2pm – 5pm.
Cost: £10 per person and refreshments will be available.
This workshop will be run by Marcus Farnsworth, Head of Singing at Chetham’s School of Music as well as a director of choirs. The afternoon will focus on voice production through exercises and working through pieces of music to apply the knowledge. It is suitable for singers and directors of choirs, all of whom will add to their repertoire of ideas for warming up the voice and developing singing technique. Youth singers from Year 7 upwards are most welcome.
To book a place on the workshop, please visit www.davidclover-festivalofsinging.org.uk You will find details of the venue and bank details for payment.
