VOCES8 International Summer School and Festival 2024
Milton Abbey, Dorset, U.K.
Mon 22nd July - Sat 27th July 2024
Update, June 2024: The 2024 Summer School is now fully booked and the waiting list is closed.
Join our mailing list to be among the first to find out about next year’s Summer School by clicking below.
VOCES8 is delighted to host its annual Summer School and Festival at Milton Abbey School. Participants in the Summer School work with VOCES8 throughout the week to rehearse and perform the closing concert of the Festival. The Summer School focuses on major works with orchestra, and the opportunity to work in smaller chamber ensembles which are directed by members of VOCES8. Summer School participants enjoy free entry to the concerts that take place each evening in the Abbey, featuring renowned international artists.
The 2023 Summer School participants and staff
Course Experiences Include
Engaging with specialist choral techniques in bespoke masterclass sessions with VOCES8
Rehearsing and performing for a gala orchestral performance on the final Saturday
Working in chamber groups to present a madrigal, part song, pop and jazz a cappella concert
Tickets to all Festival concerts, including performances by VOCES8 and Apollo5.
All sessions on the course will be led by VOCES8. Repertoire will be a diverse selection from the European choral heritage alongside jazz and pop a cappella.
Young Musicians’ Course
Our Young Musicians’ Course for participants aged 8 upwards is run by Neil Valentine, a highly experienced music educator and workshop leader. The course follows a separate but parallel timetable to the main Summer School and the children join in with one of the chamber groups for rehearsals and the concert on Thursday.
The Young Musicians spend their week preparing a vocal and instrumental performance they give on the Friday afternoon in the Theatre, as well as a short performance at the beginning of the Gala Concert on the Saturday in the Abbey.
Teenagers who come to the Summer School have the option of joining the Young Musicians’ Course, the adult Summer School, or a mixture of both, by discussion and arrangement.
Scholarships
We are delighted to be able to offer part or full scholarships to help prospective participants under the age of 18 (or under 21 if still in Full Time Education) to be able to attend the Summer School. For more information and to receive an application form, please email the Course Administrator.
Booking details
Adult Resident in the School £980 (or £920 if booked before November 1st - see below)
Non-Resident £680
Non-Resident ‘Chamber Group Only’ option £515
Young Musicians’ Course £590 (fully residential, including pastoral care)
Residential option: The course fee includes all board and lodging (3 meals per day), all course materials and tutoring fees, and full use of the school’s facilities for recreation. All resident accommodation is in school boarding house facilities, mostly with shared bathrooms.
Non-residential option: Includes daily lunch and dinner, all course materials and tuition, and entry to all concerts.
Chamber Group Only option: This non-residential option includes lunch, dinner and tickets to all concerts throughout the week, as well as participation in all Chamber Group rehearsals (one session each day) and the Chamber Group concert on Thursday afternoon. At other times, participants are welcome to use the facilities at the school and join with other Summer School events such as the Wednesday afternoon Ceilidh.
A £100 non-refundable deposit to secure your place is payable on booking. The full balance becomes due on 1 May 2024.
Travel costs are not included.
To enquire about booking a place, please email the Administrator, Anne Smith.
Participant Information
This section will host details about the week, including joining instructions, timetables, downloadable scores, Chamber Group information, and other exciting things!
Please check back here for more information which we’ll add below as it becomes available.
Gala Concert
This year’s Gala Concert performance work is Ein deutsches Requiem by Brahms, which we will perform using the Edition Peters edition. Scores will be provided for all participants at Milton Abbey, but you may wish to purchase your own. For practice purposes you can download a copyright-free score below.
Participants are encouraged to join the Summer School Facebook group and to use it to communicate before and during the week, and post your pictures and videos afterwards (don’t forget to tag @voces8foundation)!
Chamber Group Repertoire
Participants will receive Chamber Group allocations via email. Chamber Groups are flexible and it is possible to move to a different group. However, please don’t email us if something is wrong - we will make necessary adjustments when we arrive at Milton Abbey.
Repertoire for each group will be listed below over the next few days, and if we are able to provide a downloadable copy in advance, the titles will appear as links - just click to download.
Andrea’s Group (SSAA)
Chris’s Group (SATB)
Katie & Dom’s Group (SATB)
Euan’s Group (SATB - unconducted)
Blake’s Group (Jazz & Pop)
Shall We Gather At the River, melody by Robert Lowry arr. Morgan
Paul’s Group (Creative) - to be created from scratch by you, the participants!
Ceilidh On Wednesday
Wednesday afternoon is set aside as free time for participants to enjoy the facilities at Milton Abbey and explore the area or take part in Neil Valentine’s famous Ceilidh! This will take place on the lawn, if the weather is fine, or in the sports hall if not. Please bring your instrument to join the band, should you choose to, or enjoy the dancing. The Ceilidh Pad can be downloaded below, and there will be a short informal rehearsal beforehand.
Cabaret accompaniment
For those of you needing a piano accompanist for the Cabaret, our Arts Admin Intern, Mihaly, stands ready!!! Get in touch with him and send him your score directly at summerschooladmin@voces8.foundation.
