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Singing holidays run by singers for singers

A Week in Girona - 2 June to 9 June 2024

Directed by Neil Ferris

4 LEVEL

Reflections & Inspirations, Girona

Join us - and inspirational conductor Neil Ferris  - in the historic city of Girona, Catalonia's second city,  to explore a mouthwatering program of music illustrating how influences from the past – music, texts inspirational teachers – have created a new musical present. During the week we will take time out to visit the house of Salvador Dali with a guided tour of the museum.

Girona is an ancient city of winding alleyways, bridges, and steps. Our hotel is in the heart of the City Centre and the amount of walking and standing involved during the week should not challenge anyone of average fitness. If you have concerns about the required level of activity please contact us in confidence before you book.  The course runs from Sunday evening, when we meet for dinner, to the following Sunday morning with a concert in Girona Cathedral on the Saturday night.

Who is the course for?

This course is for experienced singers who want to improve their choral technique and enjoy exploring a rich mix of repertoire in a convivial social setting.  Music will be sent out in advance and, while nobody is expected to be note perfect on arrival, we do expect singers to familiarise themselves with the music beforehand. This is not a course for beginners but anyone who has been singing regularly in a choral society or church choir is unlikely to feel out of their depth.  

Our singing holidays have proved equally popular with people travelling on their own and singing couples. We all eat together most evenings in a selection of different restaurants where everyone will soon get to know each other.

 

choral singing holidays

Musical Director

Neil Ferris is the Chorus Director of the BBC Symphony Chorus, Artistic Director and conductor of Sonoro, and Music Director of Wimbledon Choral since 2009. In demand as guest conductor at some of the finest choirs in the UK, Read more...

Music

 
  • MUSIC LIST 
     
    The Spirit of the Lord - Edward Elgar
    Sanctus from Missa O Quam Gloriosum - Tomás Luis de Victoria
    O Holy Lord - R Nathaniel Dett
    A New Song - James MacMillan
    Bogoroditse Dyevo - Cheryl Frances-Hoad
    Bogoroditse Dyevo - Sergei Rachmaninov 
    Te Deum in G - Ralph Vaughan Williams
    We shall walk through the valley - Undine Smith Moore
    The Lord is my shepherd - Randall Thompson
    Agnus Dei from Mass in A minor -Imogen Holst
    Magnificat from Collegium Regale - Herbert Howells
    The Spirit of the Lord - Oliver Tarney 


      

Where to stay?

 

We will be staying at the Hotel Ultonia which is privately owned, centrally located, and well equipped with bars - including a rooftop bar - and a restaurant. The management insists that there are two hotels  -one 3 star and one 4 star - but as it is a single building with a single reception and there is little difference in the rooms or the prices, we don't consider it a useful distinction.  

Getting there

 

This bit is up to you and is not included in the price of the week. There are affordable budget flights directly to Girona from Stansted but many people may prefer to fly to Barcelona which is only 75 minutes away by train and has a much bigger selection of flights from the UK.

What does it cost?

 

The course fee is payable in two stages - a deposit of  £245 and a further payment of £995 no later than eight weeks before the course commences .  This covers tuition, seven nights accommodation with breakfast (based on two sharing) and four 3-course evening meals.  The single occupancy supplement is £35 per night. Music - which can be kept - will cost £35 and is sent out six-eight weeks in advance.   Non-singers sharing a singer's room pay a reduced fee of £895.

Holiday insurance

All singers are required to take out appropriate holiday insurance and supply their policy details to us before the course begins. You should also bring a GHIC card or an EHIC card with you - if yours is still valid. 

Any questions?

If you have any questions at all please contact Nick Couchman ([email protected]) or Emma Ford ([email protected]) or ring Nick during office hours on 01462 372702. The office is not always occupied so please do leave a message and we will get back to you.