October Newsletter
Dear Singers
Welcome to our Autumn newsletter. Please feel free to forward it to other good singers you know - especially as it contains a sneak preview of our 2020 programme - where we will celebrate our 100th RBS Singing Event. Sixteen years ago who would have imagined it!
2019 Roundup
This has been another good year for Runbysingers with lots of new faces as well as some new destinations and new combinations. Our first ten day tour - the Bach Pilgrimage Tour - proved very popular. As well as visits to all the major destinations associated with Bach, plus many important but less-visited ones, we managed to squeeze in two concerts and several impromptu singing experiences in churches and other buildings where Bach worked. Do have a look at some of our pictures here at the RBS flickr site.
During this year we also brought together the first two first counter-tenors from the Kings' Singers - Nigel Perrin and Jeremy Jackman for a fun-filled five days at Lincoln University. The course ended with an impromptu recital featuring Nigel, Jeremy and three invited guests including talented young baritone, Chris Why. Who? No - Why. Pictures from the course can be found here. We will return to Lincoln next year for something completely different. See below.
The 2020 Programme
Now the part you have all been waiting for... We are very pleased with next year's programme which should offer something to suit all musical tastes and aspirations. We offer a mix of early and later music, a capella and accompanied, familiar and new. We also aim to give a clearer idea of the standard of singing required which does vary from week to week. Please look out for the star ratings - 3 star, 4-star and 5 star - when booking starts as they indicate the expected level of difficulty.
Health Warning: Booking for the main programme will not start until the second week of January and these are all the details we have at this early stage. They are accurate at time of writing but some detila could change. You will be given advance notice of when booking starts and you will have priority over the general public for a limited period when full details are published on the Runbysingers website.
The Glory of Venice
18 March - 22 March Directed by Will Dawes
Our popular long weekend in Venice will take place in the Spring next year and will be directed by Stile Antico's Will Dawes - who we have been wanting to work with for many years. Expect an exciting programme of Venetian and non-Venetian choral masterpieces accompanied by organ and trumpet. This event is very popular with newcomers to Runby as it gives a good flavour of what we offer with only a small time commitment. Plus, we do stay in the very best part of Venice - away from the crowds but within walking distance of St Mark's Square, the Accademia and the Guggenheim museum. Pictures from 2018 can be found here.
Avila Early Music Week - Avila, Spain
17 May - 24 May Directed by David Allinson
We will return to the birthplace of Victoria to celebrate the music of this exciting and influential Spanish composer along with other choral treats by his contemporaries. We are delighted to be offering two Allinson weeks this year. See Lincoln below. David needs no introduction from us; suffice to say, it's wise to get your applications in early. Pictures from Avila 2016 here.
RBS 100 - Voyage to Odessa
14 June - 21 June Directed by Nigel Perrin
This Ukranian expedition to the city by the sea will be our 100th RBS event. Naturally we chose something a bit special. Our 4-star hotel is a few yards away from the Potemkin Steps and overlooks the ocean. Our concert will be in the Odessa Philharmonic Hall. The programme will be a mix of Russian, Baltic and British music. This will be another one to book early.
Return to Dresden
19 July - 26 July Directed by Peter North
This will be our third visit to this most attractive of Saxon cities. Lovingly restored, the Zwinger Palace, Semper Opera House and Frauenkirche and other fine buildings give Dresden a regal, majestic feel. Our very comfortable hotel on the banks of the Elbe river, cake-filled cafes, and good food all contribute to a sense of elegant opulence. Expect a return visit to Meissen, where we can see the worlds finest - and most expensive - porcelain being made
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Assisi Summer School
2 August - 9 August Directed by David Skinner
David Skinner returns to Assisi - after a brief absence - as a special Guest Conductor. This will be an advanced week and will concentrate on unaccompanied Renaissance Polyphony. This week is for good sight readers and those used to singing one or two to a part. Applying early is still a good idea but places will NOT be allocated on a simple first-come, first-served basis.
Cambridge Summer School
16 August - 23 August Directed by Anton Armstrong (USA)
We have recruited a celebrity conductor from the US to direct this residential week based in Downing College Cambridge. Dr Armstrong will direct a mixed programme of American and British Church Music - including gospel. Our home for the week will be the hallowed grounds of Downing College - in the centre of Cambridge City - a few minutes walk from Kings College, the Cam and the Market Square .When we are not singing we will do a spot of punting and maybe indulge in a cream tea. Find out more about Anton Armstrong here.
Lincoln Summer Schools
23 August - 28 August Directed by David Allinson and David Ogden
Course One - Renaissance Masterpieces. This course will be directed by David Allinson and will focus on European a capella music of the Renaissance. There will be a significant educational element with musicological and historical content alongside the practicalities of music making.
Course Two - Music of Living Composers. David Ogden's course will focus on contemporary choral music featuring music by both established and less well-known living composers. There will be a visit and lecture by one of the featured composers.
Cathedral Weekend, Manchester
28 August - 30 August Directed by Peter North
Our series of cathedral weekends continues with an opportunity to sing two Evensong services at Manchester Cathedral. Learn to sing like a cathedral chorister under the expert tuition of Peter North, Head of Voice at King's School Ely and former Lay Clerk at Ely Cathedral.
Early Music Week in Burgos, Northern Spain
30 August - 6 September Directed by Rory McCleery
We are delighted to welcome Rory McCleery, talented young director of the award-winning Marian Consort, to direct this week of a capella Renaissance music in the historic city of Burgos. Our hotel overlooks the magnificent Gothic cathedral where we will perform our end of course concert. Join us on the Camino as weary pilgrims wind their way through the city on their way to Santiago de Compostela to enjoy a programme of Guerrero, Lobo, Victoria, and other great composers of the Spanish Golden Age. Pictures from our last visit to Burgos can be found here.
Eternal Music of the Eternal City, Rome
13 September - 20 September Directed by David Skinner
Having discovered the best part of Venice, we now introduce you to the best part of Rome - the tranquil Aventino, far away from the crowds and the traffic yet only a few minutes walk from the Circus Maximus, the Tiber, and trendy foodie Trastevere. David Skinner is busy as we speak working on a programme of polyphonic perfection to delight us with. More details to follow in January but this week is going to be very popular.
Transylvanian Adventure, Brasov
18 October - 25 October Directed by Jeremy Jackman
Never mind the vampires, Transylvania is astonishingly beautiful; lush countryside surrounded by mountains, forests and lakes which provide 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. To take full advantage of the setting we will travel around rather more than usual to visit Bran, Sighisoara and Peles Castle. We also plan to begin with an optional overnight stay in Bucharest and a visit to Ceaucescu's magnificent but monstrous Palace of the People.
Mozart Requiem at Midnight, Vienna
2 December - 5 December Directed by Nigel Perrin
By popular demand, we are returning to Vienna to pay homage to Mozart by singing his moving Requiem at midnight, the hour of his death. The concert takes place in the domed Baroque Karlskirche with full professional orchestra and soloists. The church is always packed with expectant Viennese, who love this annual concert, and outside Christmas lights twinkle and the Advent markets are in full swing filling the air with smell of spicy Gluhwein and grilling sausages.
We look forward to seeing you next year at one or more of these special musical events.
Best wishes
Nick & Jane