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Singing holidays run by singers for singers

Transylvanian Adventure - 15 September to 22 September 2024

Directed by David Ogden

3 LEVEL

Transylvanian Adventure 2 - the second bite

Introduction

We will returned to Transylvania for new adventures, based this time in historic Sighisoara - a Unesco site - and focusing on the south of the region. Never mind the vampires, Transylvania is astonishingly beautiful. Lush countryside surrounded by mountains, forests and lakes provides a setting for splendid castles and palaces. Hungarian and Austrian influences have shaped the architecture of the cities and the ingredients of the local cuisine - not to mention some remarkably good wine. Fortified churches, warm welcomes, and hearty Romanian fare await us.

To take full advantage of the setting we will travel around rather more than usual to visit different parts of the region including the massive fortified church of Biertan, Viscri, King Charles favourite Transylvanian village (where he owns property),and we will sing in one of the odest Saxon churches in Europe, a domed Orthodox church and a large Lutheran church in the heart of the Citadel. 

As before, we plan to begin with an optional overnight stay in Bucharest, dinner, a guided tour of the city  before travelling onwards to Sighisoara by private coach stopping off for lunch at Bran (Dracula's Castle). Please tick the box to indicate your interest in this optional extra day. Places are limited.

The course proper  will begin in Sighisoara with dinner at 7.30 pm  on Sunday evening and rehearsals starting in earnest the next day but, if you have time, we do recommend that you take advantage of our optional extra day in Bucharest on the Saturday. The course finishes on the following Sunday. 

Who is the course for?

This Transylvanian experience will offer a mix of singing and sightseeing that those of you who enjoyed the Bach Pilgrimage will recognise. The week will conclude with a full concert and there will be other brief singing opportunities as we travel around, but there is far too much to see to spend all our time in rehearsals. Transport around Transylvania, entrance fees and the services of guides are all included  in the course fee. Having said all that, this is still not a course for beginners  - so David will be expecting participants to spend some time preparing the music before we arrive .
 

choral singing holidays

Musical Director

David Ogden is a professional conductor and composer. He conducts Exultate Singers, City of Bristol Choir, choirs at the Royal Mail, Airbus and Sawday's Publishing and, in his post of Head of the Bristol Choral Centre, Read more...

Music

 
  • FROM BAROQUE TO BRAND NEW
    Adoramus te - Orlando Lassus
    Exultate Deo - Giovanni da Palestrina
    Ave Verum - Edward Elgar
    If ye love me - Thomas Tallis
    Teach us good Lord - David Ogden
    Christ has no body - David Ogden
    Dona nobis pacem (from Mass in B minor) - J.S. Bach 
    Rejoice in the Lord alway - John Redford
    Cantate Domino - Giovanni Croce
    Thou knowest Lord the secrets of our hearts - Henry Purcell
    And the glory of the Lord - G.F. Handel
    I give to you a new commandment - Peter Nardone
    Lord let me know mine end - Maurice Greene
    Hategana ca-n poiana - Trad Transylvanian
    Mandru-i jocul hategana - Trad Transylvanian

Where to stay?

 

RBS headquarters during our stay will be the Sighisoara Hilton which is conveniently located at the bottom of the town, a short walk from our rehearsal room.

Getting there

 

This bit is up to you and is not included in the price of the week. The nearest airports are Bucharest and Cluj. Both have bus connections to Sighisoara Train services  are not generally recommended as they are often very slow. Transport for anyone staying the extra night in Bucharest will not be a problem as there will be a coach. Subject to availability, we may be able to offer extra seats on that coach to people arriving on Sunday morning. If there is sufficient demand, there will also be a coach transfer back to the airport at the end of the course. 

What does it cost?

 

The course fee is £1295 which will cover all tuition, seven nights accomodation in the Sighisoara Hilton with full breakfast, four three-course evening meals with wine together with all excursions and tours . This price is based on two sharing so there will be a single occupancy supplement of £35 a night . Non-singers sharing a singer's room pay a reduced rate of £895 . Music for the course, which can be kept, will cost £35.

The optional night in Bucharest on 14 September covering one night's 4 star accommodation in  Bucharest, dinner, breakfast, a city tour plus entrance to Bran Castle and onward coach transfer to Sighisoara is £250 per person with a single occupancy supplement of £35.  

We will require a £245 deposit per person at time of booking with the balance payable no later than eight weeks before we leave.

 

Travel and health insurance

All singers are required to take out appropriate travel insurance and supply their policy details to us before the course begins. You should also bring an EHIC or GHIC card with you. 

Any questions?

If you have any questions at all please contact Nick Couchman ([email protected]) or Emma Ford ([email protected]) . You can also ring us on 01462 893972 but please bear in mind that we are often out of the office.