Mariana Rosas (2019-20)
“Having the opportunity to work with David Temple and CEFC is a truly amazing opportunity to discover the "behind the scenes" of a choir, and personally, it has helped me develop my skills as a conductor, reflect on different points of view and incorporate new approaches to my conducting. I highly recommend this scheme.”
Mariana has recently been appointed Chorus Director of the London Symphony Chorus.
Matthew Quinn (2019-20)
“The CEFC young conducting scheme provides an excellent balance of practical experience and teaching/feedback. It has helped me take my conducting, rehearsing and preparation skills to the next level and prepared me for the world of being a freelance conductor!“
Matthew has recently been appointed Conductor of the London Youth Chamber Choir.
Charlie Perry (2020-21)
“I can’t begin to express how insightful, beneficial and enjoyable my year with CEFC has been. Working with a choir that are so willing and capable to throw themselves into absolutely anything from film scores to early music has taught me so much about what singers and conductors can achieve - even more so considering the circumstances of this last year.
Learning from David has been one of the great pleasures of my career as a musician so far: his unique way of approaching repertoire and rehearsal has given me a vast amount of confidence approaching and understanding large choral works (Monteverdi, Ellington, Mozart, Glass and Stravinsky to name but a few!). I feel a totally different musician to the one I was when I started on the scheme and would highly recommend it to any young conductor.”
Charlie is a Conducting Scholar with The Sixteen’s Genesis programme.
Elliot Mercer (2020-21)
“It has been a brilliant year working with the CEFC. Sitting in rehearsals and hearing their quality is so inspiring, let alone having the opportunity to lead rehearsals and experience their work first-hand.
David's mentoring sessions have been so inspiring. You get everything from invaluable tips and tricks about repertoire and rehearsal to rigorous analysis of a particular gesture, and everything in between! David is a font of knowledge, and it has been great to discuss interpretation, repertoire, best practice when working with different choirs, what to do when in front of an orchestra, how to manage a successful ensemble from every angle and so much more. Working with David and the CEFC gives you access to the highest level of music-making and how best to up your game as a musical leader. “
Elliot is the Music Director for The People’s Show Choir.
Klaudia Zajac (2022-2023)
“The YMCS is special thanks to David’s trust in mentees and provides a lot of practice in front of the choir. Another remarkable point is the honesty and clear feedback that I am given, which is in contrast to the imprecise and vague feedback that I have experienced with other courses. One of the greatest assets of this scheme is the fact, that only 2 conductors are accepted what allows them to have a deep dive experience and lets them feel like part of the CEFC what creates a safe space to grow. Participating in this scheme has been one of the best things that I have done in my musical career. I highly recommend this scheme to any music student who is interested in applying.”
Klaudia is the Music Director of Sammartini in Brussels and Vocaal Ensemble Similare.
Daniel Rodriguez Tijaro (2022-2023)
“Participating in this scheme has been an incredible experience. Not only have I had the chance to conduct an incredible choir, but I have seen myself improve as a choral conductor. I think I am a different conductor now compared to before I started this scheme. I recommend this scheme to any young conductor who is interested in learning and who really wants to understand how to prepare for an astonishing performance. You won’t find this experience in any book or academy!”
Daniel is a Choral Director with the Diocese of Leeds Music and Music Director of Knaresborough Choral Society.
