Forge is a bold new way to develop as a conductor - bringing you valuable, real-world learning without the huge price tag. We’ve distilled the essential elements of advanced training into an intensive, practical, 30-week online course that fits around your life. If you’re an ambitious conductor ready to grow fast, lead with confidence, and invest in your future on your own terms, Forge is for you.

Yes. You’ll need some experience in choral conducting to get the most out of this course. Forge is designed for those who are ready to build on what they already know and take their skills to the next level. If you’ve led choirs before and are hungry to grow, you’re in the right place.

Yes. You’ll need to have regular access to a choir throughout the course. This is important not just for recording rehearsal footage, but also for trying out new ideas and techniques in real time. It doesn’t need to be a professional group - any consistent ensemble works, whether it’s a school, youth, church, or community choir. What matters most is that you have regular contact and the chance to rehearse with them throughout the course.

Yes - there is an application process so we can make sure the course is the right fit for your level of experience. We want to build a group where everyone can thrive, learn from each other, and move forward with confidence. Places are limited on each course to a small cohort of 12 so each student gets meaningful attention and support. You can apply for any of the available courses at any time, just make sure you have applied well in advance of the enrolment deadline. Of course, you have a much better chance of getting on a course if you apply early!

The Directors will assess your suitability for the programme within 10 working days. Applications are carefully reviewed by the Directors using a simple, transparent scoring system that considers experience, clarity of goals, and suitability and stability of your choir. Each application is assessed fairly against the same criteria to help us build a balanced, supportive cohort. 

If your preferred course is already full, don’t worry, we’ll offer you a place on our waiting list. Spaces sometimes open up, and we’ll contact you right away if one becomes available. 

Each week includes a 60-minute Rehearsal Review, where a mentor leads the cohort through feedback on a student’s rehearsal video - highlighting strengths, offering guidance, and opening up discussion. After the review, there’s a break, which can also be used informally as a Huddle - a chance for the cohort to connect, reflect, and share experiences. Then it’s into the 60-minute Mentor Seminar: an interactive, expert-led session on a key aspect of choral conducting, from gesture and rehearsal planning to vocal technique or career pathways. To round things off, you’ll be set a short Guided Learning task to focus your development through the week.

Each student will be asked to record around 45 minutes of rehearsal footage at three points, spaced throughout the course. The focus is on capturing you clearly while conducting - your singers must not be filmed. A simple phone on a tripod is absolutely fine. You’ll need to submit your video a few weeks before your allotted rehearsal review so your Principal Mentor has time to review it and prepare key talking points. These will then form the basis of a full cohort session, where you’ll reflect on your rehearsal approach, explore different strategies, and learn not just from your own work but also from the experiences of your peers.

Yes. Forge sessions are recorded, and from time to time we may share short clips to highlight great teaching and inspiring moments from your conducting. These clips might be used in our marketing or within our subscriber community as examples of great practice. We always select material carefully and respectfully, so you and your choir are presented in the best possible light.

Yes, that’s fine as long as you follow the right permissions. Forge requires that only you, the conductor, are visible in your rehearsal videos. Your choir members, especially under-18s, must never be filmed. However, their voices will naturally be heard on the recording. If you work with children or young people, it’s your responsibility to ensure that the relevant permissions are in place from your school, organisation, or choir management before submitting rehearsal clips. This keeps everything safe, transparent, and in line with good safeguarding practice.

Each rehearsal review and seminar will be led by a mentor, who will guide the conversation and keep things focused. They’ll often open up space for discussion, and that’s where your input really matters. We ask everyone to contribute in a supportive, constructive way - offering observations, asking questions, and sharing ideas - while also making sure that everyone gets the chance to be heard. You don’t need to have all the answers, but curiosity, generosity, and respect go a long way. Together, the cohort becomes a space where everyone can learn and grow.

Each week you may be given a short guided learning task, designed to deepen what you’ve just covered. These could be anything from score study, gesture practice in front of a mirror, focused listening assignments, or trying out a rehearsal technique with your own choir and reporting back.

Beyond that, we encourage you to make the most of these 30 weeks as a chance to really immerse yourself in your craft. That might mean observing rehearsals at home, reading recommended books, watching conducting videos, or simply carving out time to reflect and experiment. Think of it as an invitation to step fully into the world of choral conducting while you’ve got the structure and support around you.

There aren’t scheduled breaks in the 30 weeks. Because our cohort is international, holiday calendars vary so much that a single break wouldn’t suit everyone. Instead, we keep the programme flowing so your learning stays consistent - and we encourage you to choose a start date that lines up with plenty of contact time with your choir, giving you the best chance to put what you learn straight into practice.

We work with aspiring conductors from all over the world, so it’s important that our course schedule reflects that diversity. By offering multiple course options across different time zones, we make sure you can access the full Forge experience - no matter where you’re based. This approach also helps us build global cohorts, where conductors from different cultures and backgrounds can learn from one another. Wherever you are, you’ll be fully supported and right at the heart of the Forge community.

All online sessions will be recorded, so if you need to miss one, you’ll still be able to catch up afterwards. That said, the real magic happens live - being in the room with your cohort, asking questions, and joining the conversation is where the most valuable learning takes place. We do ask that you prioritise attendance as much as possible - not just for your own progress, but for the benefit of your cohort too. 

Forge isn’t an accredited course - and that’s by design. Formal accreditation can slow things down and make it harder to stay responsive to the real needs of today’s choral world. By staying independent, we’re free to keep the course dynamic, practical, and closely aligned with the way the industry actually works right now.

While Forge isn’t a formal qualification, you’ll come away with a strong toolkit of choral leadership skills, valuable industry connections, and a clearer sense of your own conducting mission. You’ll build a portfolio of rehearsal footage to use in job applications, plus a guaranteed reference from your Principal Mentor. On completion, you’ll also receive a digital certificate to mark your achievement. Most importantly, you’ll join an international cohort of conductors who will continue to support and inspire you long after the course ends.

Each of our mentors brings a wide breadth of experience across many kinds of vocal groups - from youth choirs to chamber ensembles, symphonic choruses to community choirs. At the same time, each has developed a particular focus or specialism within that range. While we’ll always consider your preferences, we ask you to trust us to pair you with the mentor we feel will best support your development based on your stated goals. Our mission is to match you with someone who will challenge, inspire and help you grow in all the right ways.

The full course fee is £3,500, but if you apply early (for any 2026 course, before the 7th December 2025), you’ll receive £500 off. A monthly payment plan is also available to help spread the cost.

We’ll review your application within 10 working days, and let you know the outcome. If you’re offered a place, you’ll then have 10 working days to pay your £500 deposit to secure your spot, unless the enrolment deadline is less than 10 working days away, in which case the full course balance will be due. This deposit counts towards your course fee and is non-refundable after the 14-day cooling-off period, so please only pay once you’re sure you’d like to accept your place.

The enrolment deadlines advertised for each course (in the price section above these FAQs) are the dates by which full balance of fees must be paid, or first instalment of a payment plan received. Please apply in plenty of time for your application to be processed before the enrolment deadline for each course.

You have a 14 day cooling off period after this point if you change your mind. More information can be found in our Terms and Conditions. Please do contact us with any questions.

If the course fee feels like a big step, consider whether your choir, school, or organisation might be willing to help cover some or all of the cost. Many groups have budgets for professional development and see supporting your growth as an investment in their own musical future. It’s often easier than you think to explore this option - and it shouldn’t hold you back from applying. Just have a chat with your leaders, and you might be surprised how willing they are to support you. We have created a Fundraising Guide which you can download which appears just above this FAQ section.

Yes - you’ve got 14 days after enrolment (enrolment being payment of full balance or setting up of payment plan) to cancel for a full refund. More details can be found in our Terms & Conditions.

To take part, you’ll just need a phone or basic camera that can record video and audio, set up to capture you while you conduct. There’s no need to film your singers – the focus is on you. You’ll also need a computer running Chrome, with a stable internet connection and the latest version of Zoom installed, so you can join our live sessions smoothly.

Yes - all our sessions, feedback, and materials are delivered in English, so a good working proficiency is essential to get the most out of Forge.

Your journey with Forge doesn’t end when the 30 weeks are over. You’ll become part of the Forge Alumni Network, a growing community of past participants. As an alum, you’ll have access to a private alumni space, quarterly cohort Zoom meetups, and invitations to attend Guest Room sessions. You’ll also have the chance to be featured in our Alumni Spotlight, sharing your work and story with the wider Forge community.