Ula Weber is one of five shortlistees for the 2023 RPS Inspiration Award, voted for by the public. Although voting has now closed, we invite you to read about this year's shortlisted entities.
Teacher, workshop leader and choral conductor Ula Weber has been an extraordinary force keeping a broad range of ensembles engaged as they emerge from the pandemic, enabling hundreds of adult singers to rehearse and perform together during the last year. Devoted to bringing people together through choral singing, Ula conducts the CBSO SO Vocal, a 200-strong community choir of all musical abilities in the Selly Oak district of Birmingham, and leads a network of show choirs for the charity The People’s Orchestra, which grew to seven ensembles in 2022. Ula also founded Echo Doliny, a national Polish folk choir which gives Polish singers living in England an outlet to connect with their Polish Heritage.
Helping others to experience and spread the benefits of choral singing, Ula founded and leads the National Teachers' Choir, where skills gained through this ensemble are taken back into schools to inspire thousands of children each year. She also trains other choral leaders in her role with national choral organisation Sing for Pleasure, instilling confidence and helping them to deliver effective rehearsals and lead projects with their own ensembles across the nation.
‘I have had the privilege and pleasure of making music with Ula both as a founder member of the National Teachers’ Choir and a conducting student with Sing for Pleasure. Her leadership is inspirational and her professionalism, whilst encouraging our emergence from a very lengthy musical blackhole, was first rate. With Sing for Pleasure, six series of webinars were delivered to those of us anxious to keep in touch. The Sing for Pleasure Summer Schools at Jesus College Cambridge in 2021 and 2022, after a highly successful Virtual Choral Conference in 2020, were outstanding!’
Angie, teacher, singer and trainee conductor
‘As well as Ula’s amazing attention to detail that enables her to turn a good choir into an outstanding choir, she exudes joy and an infectious positive energy that makes everyone around her want to do their utmost best for her, whatever their age or ability. Nothing is ever impossible in Ula's eyes, she sees the potential in singers and pushes us hard to achieve things we never would have believed possible. She is a remarkable human being who never underestimates the power of music on all aspects of life and her work with community choirs, teachers and children is testament to this.’
Sangeeta, participant
