City Lit a cappella
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Choose a starting date
Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
- Start Date: 18 Sep 2025End Date: 27 Nov 2025Thu (Evening): 19:40 - 21:10Learn both online and in-personLocation: Blended (learn both online and in-person)Duration: 11 sessions (over -11 weeks)Course Code: ME638ATutors: Della RhodesFull fee £219.00 Senior fee £219.00 Concession £153.00
- Start Date: 30 Apr 2025End Date: 09 Jul 2025This course has startedWed (Evening): 19:40 - 21:10Learn both online and in-personLocation: Blended (learn both online and in-person)Duration: 11 sessions (over -11 weeks)Course Code: ME638CTutors: Della RhodesFull fee £189.00 Senior fee £189.00 Concession £132.00
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
What is the course about?
Practise the skills involved in part-singing: listening, reading music and following a vocal score, good intonation, good timing, memorising parts to song arrangements. We operate and rehearse as a performance group. We maintain a body of repertoire and we will tackle new arrangements.
What will we cover?
- Learning to sing 4, 5 or 6-part a cappella arrangements of pop/jazz style songs
- Some work by ear only, but most arrangements are written
- Opportunities to improvise, usually during the vocal warm-up
- musicianship topics e.g. singing modes, practice of rhythm matters, ear training
- Maintenance of a body of repertoire
- listening skills and awareness of other voices.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
- Blend your voice into the group sound
- Enjoy increased awareness of harmony and listening to others
- Enhance your understanding of music as a performance art, and yourself as a singer
- Perform with confidence in formal and informal settings.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is ideal for experienced and committed singers. You must be able to sing in tune, demonstrate reliable musicianship, be keen to perform in a team but able also to sing solo, and able to learn arrangements. A good sense of musical time is vital.
Contact della.rhodes@citylit.ac.uk to arrange an audition.
You will need to follow written and verbal instructions in English and engage in class discussions.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
You will learn through vocal warm ups, followed by rehearsal of arrangements of pop & jazz repertoire unique to this ensemble. Musicianship training and some coordination exercises also feature.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Organise to record your prepared song parts ready for submission.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Many singers stay in this A Cappella for an extended time, and we are continually learning new arrangements.
Della has enjoyed working at City Lit for over 3 decades, teaching, managing, learning. After training in contemporary dance, Della became consumed by drama and music work. Music came to dominate, playing in bands, song writing, teaching for, and advising, the Youth Service and Adult Education. Performing and writing arrangements for pop and jazz a cappella has been a 30 year journey. So too the teaching of jazz musicianship. Gratitude is due to early mentor Amit Sen for introducing 'the jazz thing'.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
