Ralph founded the Choral Courses in 1980, when he was Director of Music at Uppingham School. A large proportion of the 35 singers who arrived that year included musicians now well established in the music profession. Ralph directs the majority of the Courses each year, which are now held in Eton, Oxford, Cambridge, Cheltenham and Durham.
The 2010 season has seven courses during July and August, with over 300 singers, organists and observers. One recent participant wrote, “It was quite honestly the most intensely demanding, rewarding, and happiest week of my life...” The main emphasis of each course lies in the choir made up of all participants: about 20 sopranos, 12 altos and counter-tenors (and mezzos), 12 tenors, and 16 basses. The main choir concentrates on preparing music for two Evensong services, one of which is usually sung on a visit to an Oxford or Cambridge College Chapel, and one is broadcast on BBC Radio 3. Music performed by the smaller groups can vary from a motet to close harmony. The courses make full use of Eton's wonderful buildings.
If they are already interested in choral singing, they won't get a better or more enjoyable week of tuition anywhere on the planet. The Times
