Better than Ever: How Singing Groups will Return

On 11th May 2021, we hosted a webinar to discuss and explore how choirs and singing groups will be able to return to rehearsing and performing in the same room.

We provided the most up to date information on Covid-19 recommendations for singing groups (see Sing Ireland's Covid-19 statement dated 30/4/21 here), as well as bringing some insight from groups that have been able to get back together from other nations across the globe. Sing Ireland was joined by Lyn Williams from the Gondwana Choirs in Australia and Thomas Caplin a conductor, professor and singer from Norway/Sweden.

Since establishing the Sydney Children’s Choir in 1989, Lyn Williams has completely transformed the choral landscape in Australia by harnessing the incredible musical and expressive power of young voices through her world-renowned children’s choirs: The Sydney Children’s Choir, Gondwana Voices and the Gondwana Indigenous Choir. This has grown into the organisation, Gondwana Choirs, which puts the vocal power of young voices at the centre of its impressive and wide-reaching artistic program.

Gondwana Choirs are led by Lyn (Artistic Director & Founder). The organisation is synonymous with performance excellence and has a reputation for the highest standards of young people’s choral music in Australia and internationally.

Thomas Caplin is a Professor in choral conducting and management. He received his education as a singer, conductor and choral pedagogue at the Royal Academy of Music in Copenhagen and at the Royal Academy of Music in Stockholm. He is frequently engaged as guest conductor and clinician, and as adjudicator in competitions in Norway and abroad since 1994, where he has been adjudicating in choir competitions on more than 30 occasions, including World Choir Games in 2006, 2010, 2014 and 2016. Among Caplin's fields of expertise, he is particularly renowned as a specialist within the psychological/pedagogical aspects of choral leadership, coupled with the traditional perspectives of choral conducting and the overall running of a choir including all aspects. Another area where his knowledge and understanding is in demand, is the cross section between classical/traditional leadership and rhythmic choral leadership.

His present employment is Professor in music at the Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences. He conducts the Defrost Youth Choir, and is a leader of and singing member of the vocal group Nordic Blue.