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Part II

Vocals

Course Overview
The Vocals syllabus contains three main elements: Vocal technique, performance skills and vocal projects. Specific disciplines are combined within each element to increase your skills and build up a varied repertoire.

Vocal Technique Classes
In these classes you will learn how to use your voice correctly, overcome vocal weaknesses and look after your instrument through vocal maintenance.

Solo Vocal Projects (one-to-one tutoring)
During the year you will work on many solo songs.  These songs are selected to stretch your technical and performance skills as well as complement your personal vocal style.

Master Classes
These classes are designed to further the work covered in technique classes and solo projects.  A visiting vocal coach will take the master classes to give you experience of different teaching styles.

Group Vocal Projects
You and your fellow vocal students will form various vocal ensembles to study repertoire, vocal blending, harmonising and performing as a group. In all these areas you will have the help of an Academy tutor.

Musicianship
In these classes you will learn the basics of music reading and writing, listening and sight-singing skills.

Studio Recording
You will take part in recording sessions in ngm's state-of-the-art professional recording studio.

Performance Skills Classes (integrated)
These classes are integrated with the students on the dance syllabus and are designed to increase your stage presence, confidence and overall performance standard.

Gym Sessions & Vocal Fitness
As well as daily gym sessions you will take part in vocal fitness sessions which are designed to help build your vocal stamina and control for your performances.

Pop Band
These projects focus on the art of combining vocals and dance together and work on the techniques and skills needed.  You will be placed in a group of either three or four vocalists or with two dancers from the dance syllabus, to rehearse songs with accompanying dance routines designed to further your skills and build your repertoire for performances.

Tutor Profile - Simon Duffill 
Simon trained at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London. Having completed his studies in Voice, he was then accepted on a scholarship to the Musical Theatre as a post-graduate at the prestigious Royal Academy of Music. Having completed his studies he was immediately picked up by a London Agent and pursued an active performing career in London, the UK and Europe. His roles include Dave in 'The Full Monty - the Musical', Albin in 'La Cage aux Folles', Judas in 'Godspell', as well as singing on several albums.
Simon has spent the last 10 years coaching clients in voice from the entertainment and business industries. In 2000, he established an arts training school in Wells, Somerset and established his own practice based at his Vocal Studio in Uphill and London Studios in Amersham, Bucks. Since then he has worked with singers in contemporary voice including Rap Artists, R & B Singers, Musical Theatre and Rock working both in his own studio and commercial studios around the UK. He has now coached clients from the UK, Europe and the USA, including London, Madrid, Vienna, Chicago and Atlanta.

Technical Internships

Overview
Working as a technical intern within ngm's technical team is an opportunity to get on-the-job training in all areas of the field of live event technical production, experience a variety of creative working environments including live bands, theatrical shows and conferences, be mentored by our experienced technicians and spend time developing your relationship with God as you go.

An ngm Technical Internship is for you if you want to: -

• Learn from experienced technicians in a lively and diverse working environment
• Hone your skills on industry standard equipment
• Get hands-on experience of a wide range of shows and events
• Improve your knowledge of the theory behind the equipment and techniques
• Develop industry contacts
• Participate in ngm's discipleship course

What is involved?
Based at the Caedmon Complex, you will be an active member of ngm's technical team for a year and will make a vital contribution towards the smooth running of ngm's events and facilities.  Your role will include maintaining and operating technical aspects of our facilities and equipment and provide technical support for events that happen on site, including after-school workshops, student shows and ngm evening meetings. Therefore you could be working in our performance area, in the recording studio, in our rehearsal rooms or around the grounds, it's certainly a varied job.

As well as working at Caedmon, you will get to travel all over the UK, providing technical support and assisting our full time technicians at ngm events including live band gigs, schools workshops and assemblies, missions, conferences and speaking engagements .

All your work will be supported and monitored by our experienced technicians, who will introduce new skills and nurture your existing abilities as you go along.  Mentoring in practical work will be balanced with theory seminars and workshops so you know the technical background of what you are putting into practice.

Course Content:
The whole course is a balance of theory and practice, and what follows is an introduction to the subject areas covered and the skills that will be developed by the course:

•  Live Sound [core]
•  Lighting [core]
•  AV/ Video [major]
•  Rigging, Logistics and ancillary skills (setting up and packing down) [major]
•  Health and Safety [major]
•  Event Management [minor]
•  Stagecraft/ Stage Management [minor]
•  Electrical Power [minor]
•  Studio Sound [minor]

The internship is highly dynamic, and the exact details vary depending on the technical requirements of ngm. Every task is seen as a learning opportunity and the individual learning desires of interns are taken into account wherever possible. There is also an emphasis on getting tangible, real world qualifications such as PAT training, PASMA certification and others.

Our Professional Partners

Wigwam Acoustics
One of the UK's leading sound equipment suppliers, Wigwam, supply equipment and engineers for major events including The Queen's Jubilee, Peter Gabriel, Lord of the Dance and the Edinburgh Tattoo.  Wigwam also kindly delivers some of our training and offer work experience placements from time to time.

We also work in partnership with Rock-Tech.

Communication

Our communication course is for presenters, communicators, preachers and anyone who wishes to communicate from a public platform.  This course will help participants to perfect and develop their communication skills, whether this is at an event, on a stage, on radio or on television.  This is done through creative workshops, teaching sessions and shadowing ngm communicators when they are out on the road.

Developing good public speaking skills is essential to making the most of your potential as a performer and these sessions are designed to help presenters, singers, worship leaders and preachers improve their communication skills. 

The course will cover subjects such as voice projection, breath control, tone and expression, body language and confidence builders as well as looking at how to put your audience at ease, how to overcome nervous habits, looking after your voice and much, much more.  You will be taught how to craft a speech or preach and how to prepare and deliver radio and television interviews.  You will also have one-to-one assessments and a personal critique of each task done in the workshops.  

For Boot Camp and ADP applicants If you would like to come and see ngm's amazing facilites and experience a taste of what the Boot Camp course will be like then we have 3 open days which you can attend. Dates are:

Tuesday 8th - Weds 9th June 2010 arriving at 5pm Tuesday, applicants will join in our evening meeting and be hosted overnight by ngm. Wednesday will include a tour of ngm, auditions and interviews. Booking required. Parents are welcome but we are unable to accommodate them overnight. 

Wednesday 14th July 2010 Wednesday will include a tour of ngm, auditions and interviews. Booking required.

How long is it for?
One year, beginning in October 2010

Who are the tutors?
Artists and producers including On-Off Switch, Luv Esther cast and DJ Studious.  Also masterclasses from Sacred, Wigwam, Andy Hunter, Simon Duffil, David Reidy (Hillsong) and other music industry artists

Where is it?

ngm's Caedmon Complex.  A £3 million state of the art centre including 2 recording studios, dance studio, performance venue, sound proofed rehearsal rooms and more, all set in amazing grounds. (Located in Thornbury, nr Bristol, UK)

For more details, an application pack and course guide contact academy@ngm.org.uk or call 01454 414880.