It was a beautiful spring morning in Wilmslow with blue skies and sunshine, an auspicious start to Ben England’s first workshop for NWEMF. With over 60 participants, including a strong orchestra and an impressive basso continuo section, not to mention a very tasty selection of home-baked goodies, it was a joyful day during which Ben took us through the entirety of Vivaldi’s Gloria, with an informal ‘concert’ at the end. The heavens opened just as we were leaving, but even the heavy rain couldn’t dampen our spirits after such a great day of music-making! Many thanks to Ben, and to all who came along and made it such a success. A full workshop review will appear in the next Newsletter, and in the meantime, here’s a short Facebook reel with some highlights of the day:
…and you can listen to the full recording here:
Ben is running a Choir of the Earth workshop in Warrington on 28 May 2026 – for more details, click here. His website also has details of other courses he’s leading, both in the UK and in Europe.
Feedback from the day….
Just to say a big thank you for Saturday’s Workshop. There was a lovely atmosphere and the day was very rewarding on all fronts especially musically. Well chosen! And thank you for all the work that goes into the day.
Anne S
We just wanted to thank you for a really enjoyable Singing Day in Wilmslow. Ben was as brilliant as ever and we felt the choir, orchestra, accompanists and semi-choruses really rose to the occasion! It was also lovely to see so many young people at the event and they are clearly very talented. So thanks again for a great day.
Dave & Jill P
Thank you so much for organising such a wonderful day – I was a first-timer so wasn’t sure what to expect but everyone was so friendly and welcoming & it was such a superbly organised and enjoyable event, I’ll definitely be coming back….The cakes were all delicious so thank you to all the bakers & helpers too.
Frances M
Really enjoyed the Vivaldi Gloria day, such good fun and such a good standard of playing and singing. My favourite piece of advice from Ben (he was brilliant) was “Sing with your teeth”.
Alison M
It was a great day, I really enjoyed it. The music is lovely, fun to play and very uplifting. As a player, it was very exciting to have the opportunity to be in the orchestra for music I have previously played. It gave a new perspective on the music. Ben is a fantastic conductor and really got the best out of everyone and brought the ensemble together. I have learnt a lot.
Philippa B
My first NWEMF event and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Great standard of singing, super to have instrumental accompaniment and a very engaging conductor. I have enthused to friends so hope to come again with a pal!…Thank you to all who set the day up – they are hard work but it is very much appreciated.
Susan S
More information about the day
Come and sing the choruses from Vivaldi’s momentous Gloria in D major, written for the Ospedale della Pietà in Venice around 1715. Learn about the fascinating history of this work – how it was lost for centuries before being rediscovered in the mid 20th century. Ben England BEM, acclaimed conductor and music educator will lead the day, with support from an array of online resources to help singers learn the parts before they come. This workshop will also give us a chance (in chorus or perhaps semi-chorus) to try out the lovely soprano and alto solos and duos.
Ben has led this workshop for SWEMF and MEMF in the past year, and the feedback has been very positive. Here he is to tell you about the day…
The Tutor
Ben is an award-winning conductor, educator and musical innovator based in Bristol. He has conducted choirs and orchestras across the UK and internationally and was awarded the British Empire Medal in 2020 for services to music and the community during the covid 19 pandemic.
Ben is the founder of Homechoir and co-founder of Choir of the Earth, two pioneering online choirs that bring high-quality choral learning to singers around the world. He is also Principal of Earth Choir Academy, a non-profit organisation dedicated to music education and digital singing resources. In recognition of his work, he received the University of Bristol Alumni Award for Community Engagement and Impact in 2022.
Ben is known for his engaging and inclusive approach to music-making, from Renaissance motets to large-scale symphonic works and in much in demand He has conducted major performances in venues such as Salzburg’s Mozarteum, the Haydn Hall at Esterhazy and St Philip’s Cathedral in Atlanta, and has worked with groups such as the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Tenebrae and the Gesualdo Six. His educational music work reaches tens of thousands of singers globally.
An award-winning Advanced Skills Teacher with a long and successful teaching career, Ben has worked extensively across the education sector, including city-wide as Vocal and Instrumental Manager for the Bristol Beacon and prominent roles with the University of the West of England and St George’s Bristol on the ground-breaking Sing for Happiness initiative.
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