This article by Alex Stevens first appeared in the June 2010 issue of Music Teacher magazine:

Eton Choral Courses have developed a unique reputation as summer schools for young choral singers. Little has changed since Ralph Allwood set up the first course in 1980 aside from a gradual expansion and an ever- lengthening list of alumni. Allwood will step down from his position as Director of Music at Eton College itself in 2011, but hopes to continue running the choral courses. So why did he set them up in the first place?

‘I was aware that where I then taught, at Uppingham, they all knew about choral scholarships because they had me and several others to help them, but in other schools – where there were good, talented singers – they didn’t know, and so they needed some way of finding out. And the idea of getting together the most talented singers of about 17 or 18 years old from around the country appealed to me because we’d form a really good choir: which indeed we did.’

This year's courses will mark the 30th anniversary of the Choral Courses, and we'll be holding a celebration Evensong on Friday 30 July, in Eton College.

The programme for the celebration will be:

• 3pm: Tea in Bekynton
• 3.45pm: Rehearsal (with current course participants)
• 5.15pm: Evensong (with current course participants)
• 6.30pm: Drinks Reception and Dinner in College Hall

The Evensong will be an opportunity for current and former course participants to enjoy singing together. The cost for the full celebration is £40, and the dress code will be smart casual.

The music at the Evensong will include:

• Introit: Miserere nostri - Tallis
• Responses: Thomas Tomkins
• Psalms 147, 148, 149, 150
• Canticles: St Paul's Service - Herbert Howells
• Anthem: Blest pair of Sirens - Hubert Parry
• Hymn: 5, All creatures of our God and King

Places are limited to 120, so if you're interested in attending the celebration, please This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to receive a booking form.

Course 7 of this year's choral courses is being held at St John's College and St Chad's College, Durham, 20th – 28th August. There are still places remaining for alto, counter-tenor, tenor and bass.

Highlights include:

• Choral Evensong at Durham Cathedral
• Carys Lane & Bronwen Mills are full-time singing teachers.

To secure your place on this course, visit the apply page.

If you're hoping to attend this course, add yourself as a ‘Maybe’ to the Facebook event to let your friends know.

There are no more vacancies for organisits on course 6. Organists should now apply to course 2 at Cheltenham. Organ teachers on this course will be Alexamnder Ffinch and Alexander Mason.

There is a Harrison 3 manual at Cheltenham College and a 3 manual Kenneth Tickell at The Cheltenham Ladies' College and a venerable Hill instrument, also with 3 manuals, in All Saints' Church. There is also a Dutch 2 manual baroque instrument by Blank in St Gregory's Church.

• Visit our apply page »