VOCES8 International Summer School and Festival
Milton Abbey, Dorset, U.K.
Monday 31 July-5 August 2023
Thank you to those who joined us for a wonderful week of music making in Summer 2023.
Next year’s Festival will take place from 22-27 July 2024. Tickets will be available in the Spring. In the meanwhile, you can read about the 2023 edition below, and also see the archived pages from previous years.
Join us to hear another week of superb concerts in the beautiful surroundings of Milton Abbey.
The VOCES8 Foundation presents vocal and orchestral programmes throughout the week in association with world-class visiting artists. The VOCES8 Summer School runs alongside the Festival, and this year the participants will prepare Handel’s oratorio ‘Israel In Egypt’ to perform at the end of the week.
Find out below what else is on offer, or browse our archive of previous festivals.
Monday 31st July 2023, 7.30pm
Compline at the VOCES8 International Festival
VOCES8 and the VOCES8 Scholars sing Compline in Milton Abbey Church. This service is the opening event of the VOCES8 International Festival week.
The music for Compline will be announced shortly. This service is free but please reserve your tickets by clicking below, and consider making a donation towards our running costs.
Tuesday 1st August 2023, 7.00pm
VOCES8
The members of VOCES8 celebrate the end of the 2022-23 season with a concert of ‘season highlights’.
The programme will feature VOCES8's favourite a cappella works from the classical, folk and jazz repertoires, and will be announced from the stage by the members of the group.
Wednesday 2nd August 2023, 7.00pm
Apollo5 and Fraser Wilson
Apollo5 is joined by pianist Fraser Wilson to perform music from their 2023 album 'Invocations'.
Thursday 3rd August 2023, 2.30pm
Chamber Group Performance
During the Summer School week, the participants are split into Chamber Groups to rehearse and perform. The Chamber Groups will present a madrigal, part song, pop and jazz a cappella programme.
The concert also features a special end-of-year performance from the 2022-23 VOCES8 Scholars, who have worked together since September of last year.
Thursday 3rd August 2023, 5.30pm: Choral Evensong
The Summer School members, with VOCES8 and the VOCES8 Scholars, sing the Anglican service of Choral Evensong in the Abbey.
The music for Evensong will be announced shortly. This service is free but please reserve your tickets by clicking below, and consider making a donation towards our running costs.
Thursday 3rd August 2023, 7.00pm
Andy Dickens and his Band
Andy Dickens appears at the Festival for the eighth time; his blend of expert musicianship and dry wit has become a huge favourite for regular Festival attendees. Come and listen, laugh and – if you feel like it – dance!
Andy will play two sets:
7.00-8.00pm on the lawn (indoors if wet)
9.30-10.30pm in the Abbey
In between, ticket holders are welcome to join the Summer School's informal cabaret in the King’s Room.
Friday 4th August 2023, 7.00pm
VOCES8 and the VOCES8 Scholars
VOCES8 and the VOCES8 Scholars, accompanied by organist Luke Bond, perform the Friday concert at the VOCES8 International Festival at Milton Abbey.
Programme:
Mass for Double Choir - Frank Martin (1890-1974)
Renaissance Motets
Full programme to be confirmed
Saturday 5th August 2023, 4.00pm: Gala Concert
The members of the Festival chorus, together with VOCES8 and the VOCES8 Scholars and accompanied by the Academy of Ancient Music and organist Luke Bond, perform 'Israel in Egypt' by George Frideric Handel under the baton of Barnaby Smith.
The concert will open with a short performance from the VOCES8 Summer School's Junior Course.