Last year's Ely DA Training Day aimed to provide support for local bands, by
helping them to teach new recruits. Another essential skill, which is needed in
every tower, is conducting. We are not all born conductors, with minds like
computers, who can transpose coursing orders in our heads and keep everyone
right all the way through a complicated peal of surprise. In fact, very few of
us are! Nevertheless, with a few hints and guidelines, most ringers who can ring
confidently inside to a touch can help keep people right, and learn how to call
a touch.
One primary objective of this year's course will be to ensure
that there is a conductor in every tower, and if we can start just a few on the
road, that will be worthwhile. In addition to those who have never tried
conducting, however, there are many 'bob callers' who have never dared call a
quarter peal. Apart from anything else, quarters are an excellent training aid,
and another objective of the course will be to enable 'basic' conductors to
progress to calling quarters.
There may also be a call for people to learn more advanced
conducting, and the precise syllabus for the day will be decided on the basis of
demand. Parallel sessions will be organised as required. Nevertheless, I
anticipate that the emphasis will be on basic 6 bell conducting, at a very basic
level, and at a level that will enable those with some prior experience to have
a go at calling quarter peals. Please indicate your needs when registering.
Every tower needs a conductor On that basis, every
practising tower in the Association should send someone - either with
experience, to share ideas, or to take on the important task of
conducting.
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