
PULSE programme
The educational programme, which runs parallel with the singers’ programme, is very diverse and therefore appropriate for anyone: students, conductors, creators, educators and others who are interested in choral music. The educational programme consists of the PULSE Programme and Study Tours.
The PULSE programme (formerly known as Conductors’ and Composers’ programme). Together with many colleagues from Europe and beyond, you can get to grips with hot topics in the choral world of today, attend workshops, lectures and a Study Tours. Check the participation methods and rich programme BELOW!
Participation method
1.) PULSE PROGRAMME AS YOUR FIRST CHOICE
Those of you who would like to attend only this programme throughout the festival can secure a place NOW – the registration will be open until 15 February 2021.
Please mark the PULSE programme as your first choice on the registration form.
By registering you will secure your place in this programme, but you will receive further information to sign up for individual workshops most probably in April via the e-mail provided in the registration form.
2.) PULSE PROGRAMME FOLLOWING A 4- OR 6-DAY WORKSHOP
This form of participation is possible for those of you opting for a Full Festival Package Deal (of 8 days) and choosing a 4- or 6-day workshop. After the workshop is finished, you can join the PULSE programme, but the invitation to apply will follow in the spring via our website, social media and e-mail you provided in the registration form.
Workshops and lectures
Several workshops and lectures will be held each morning and you can choose to take part in two of them daily. The detailed list will be published in April 2021.
Lecture/Panel | Title | Mentor | Co-funded by EU |
---|---|---|---|
Business | Silicon Harmonies - What can choir leaders learn from high-tech startups? | Jaka Levstek (SI) | EPIC, ECA-EC, Co-funded by the European Union Creative Europe Programme |
Business | Beyond Talent – Career Development for Musicians | Gal Faganel (SI) | EPIC, ECA-EC, Co-funded by the European Union Creative Europe Programme |
Education | An inspiring choir system in Slovenian schools and Choir pyramid in St. Stanislav's Institution | Inge Breznik (SI), Damijan Močnik (SI) | |
Education | A choir school: Continuous learning with a common goal from an early age to adulthood | Glòria Coma Pedrals (ES) | |
Education | Presentation of the Real project | Josef Sjöblom (SE) | |
Repertoire/Didactic approaches | Canon is a good rehearsal | Sebastjan Vrhovnik (SI) | |
Repertoire/Didactic approaches | Choireography for Canons | Panda van Proosdij (NL) | |
Repertoire/Didactic approaches | The Lost Boys of Singing - reflections on why boys do not simply walk into a children's choir and thrive | Joakim Olsson Kruse (SE) | |
Repertoire/Didactic approaches | How to conduct Open Singing - tips and tricks | Jan Schumacher (DE) | |
Repertoire/Didactic approaches | Ensemble Groove: Everyone's the Drummer | Kevin Fox (CA/UK) | |
Repertoire/Didactic approaches | Speaking choir concept | Florian Hein (DE) | |
Repertoire/Didactic approaches | Authentic choir singing of the Balkans | Zvezdana Novaković (SI) | |
Repertoire/Didactic approaches | Contemporary composition techniques for less demanding compositions | Damijan Močnik (SI) | |
Repertoire/Didactic approaches | Rehearsing without words | Tom Johnson (BE) | |
Repertoire/Didactic approaches | How to switch from classical to pop/jazz | Christian Fris-Ronsfeld (DK) | |
Repertoire/Didactic approaches | Young Slovenian Composers | Ambrož Čopi (SI) | |
Repertoire/Didactic approaches | Icebreakers - A Playful Approach to Group Dynamics and Musicality | Tine Fris-Ronsfeld (DK) | |
Repertoire/Didactic approaches | Laban system for Choir conductors | Dominique Tille (CH) | Training Leading Voices, ZIMIHC, Co-funded by the European Union Creative Europe Programme |
Repertoire/Didactic approaches | Non Jazzy Choir Improvisation | Gary Graden (US/SE) | |
Repertoire/Didactic approaches | Vocal Painting | Jim Daus Hjernøe (DK) | |
Repertoire/Didactic approaches | The Inteligent Choir | Jim Daus Hjernøe (DK) | Training Leading Voices, ZIMIHC, Co-funded by the European Union Creative Europe Programme |
Repertoire/Didactic approaches | Collaborative writing and arranging | Morten Vinther Sørensen (DK) | |
Repertoire/Didactic approaches | Choral conducting vs. Orchestra conducting | Josep Vila i Casañas (ES) | |
Repertoire/Didactic approaches | Eastern Africa Choral Music, Performance and practice | Ken Wakia (KE) (in cooperation with Africa Cantat) | |
Repertoire/Didactic approaches | Turkish Folk Music | Çiğdem Aytepe (TR) | |
Repertoire/Didactic approaches | Gregorian chant in a choir program? | Hans Leenders (NL) | |
Repertoire/Didactic approaches | From 16th to 18th century: a capella or with instruments? | Erik van Nevel (BE) | |
Repertoire/Didactic approaches | Gospel Music Taught By Rote | Anthony Leach (US) | |
Repertoire/Didactic approaches | Tips and tricks on composing for children's choirs | Tadeja Vulc (SI) | |
Repertoire/Didactic approaches | Musica Femina: repertoire by women composers | Maria Goundorina (BG/DE) | |
Repertoire/Didactic approaches | Seniors in the spotlight | Silvija Pročkytė (LT), Monika Lojen (SI) | Training Leading Voices, ZIMIHC, Co-funded by the European Union Creative Europe Programme |
Repertoire/Didactic approaches | How Piazzola was arranged for choirs | Silvana Vallesi (AR) (in cooperation with America Cantat) | |
Repertoire/Didactic approaches | Slovenian choral music of the 20th century | Jerica Bukovec (SI) | |
Repertoire/Didactic approaches | Bulgarian folk music - a bridge between ages | Donka Miteva (BG/DE) | |
Repertoire/Didactic approaches | Barbershop Harmony - A Brief History | Doug Harrington (US) | |
Round table | Presenting the Winners of European Award for Composers 2020 | Jan Van der Roost (BE), Maarten Van Ingelgem (BE), Hans Helsen (BE), Jeroen Beckers (BE) | |
Round table | Resilience of the choral world post-Covid for choral organisations and conductors/managers | to be announced | |
Science and health | Singing as an elixir of life: Singing Hospitals and Singing with Aphasia patients | Elke Wünnenberg (DE), Fanny Eckhardt (HU) | Training Leading Voices, ZIMIHC, Co-funded by the European Union Creative Europe Programme |
Science and health | Hygiene of your voice | dr. Miha Zabret (SI) | |
Science and health | Neuroscience and arts: what art does to the brain | prof. dr. Zvezdan Pirtošek (SI) | Training Leading Voices, ZIMIHC, Co-funded by the European Union Creative Europe Programme |
Science and health | How to detect the onset of neurological disease from composers' scores | prof. dr. Zvezdan Pirtošek (SI) | Training Leading Voices, ZIMIHC, Co-funded by the European Union Creative Europe Programme |
Social aspect | Sing Me In: Examples of the use of collective singing for the inclusion of (young) migrants* | Rahela Durič (SI), others to be announced | Sing Me In, ECA-EC, Co-funded by the European Union Erasmus+ Programme |
Social aspect | Let music build bridges - Introduction of Superar and Cantania children's projects | Judit Morvay (HU), Elisenda Carrasco Ribot (ES) | |
Social aspect | Singing together in harmony with Nature* | Peder Karlsson (SE) | |
Social aspect | Children’s Choirs in Changing Communities | Lyn Williams (AU) | Training Leading Voices, ZIMIHC, Co-funded by the European Union Creative Europe Programme |
Social aspect | SHIFT: Inclusion in the operations of cultural organisations | Sophie Dowden (UK/DE), Sonja Greiner (DE), other guest speakers to be announced | SHIFT, EMC, ECA-EC, Co-funded by the European Unioni Erasmus+ programme |
Social aspect | SHIFT: Environmental sustainability in the operations of cultural organisations | Sophie Dowden (UK/DE), Sonja Greiner (DE), other guest speakers to be announced | SHIFT, EMC, ECA-EC, Co-funded by the European Unioni Erasmus+ programme |
The list of lectures is pending further updates. The final list will be published in April 2021.
PULSE programme: 1-day Study Tours
Would you like to have an insight into the processes that go in ateliers? You are kindly invited to join one the one-day guided study tours that will allow visitors to see and talk about the content and the repertoire chosen, conductors’ interpretations, their practice leadership etc.
Mentor:
Patrick Secchiari (CH) (1-day Study Tours within PULSE Programme)

Patrick Secchiari, a lecturer at the Bern University of the Arts, conducts various choirs and is passionate about performing unconventional concerts. Therefore, flash mobs, sing-along events, scenic construction-site concerts and open singing are just as much a part of his professional activity as engagements in theatres and festival productions. Besides teaching, Secchiari is also responsible for professional training of the Swiss Choir Association and presides over the Swiss Federation Europa Cantat and the Swiss Youth Choir.
Marked lectures of the PULSE Programme are included in different EU-(co)funded programmes:

EPIC, Training Leading Voices, Sing Me In, SHIFT, Creative Europe Programme, Erasmus+
European Choral Association ECA-EC, ZIMIHC, European Music Council (click!)