VOCES8 International Summer School and Festival 2021
Monday 26-Saturday 31 July, Milton Abbey, Dorset, U.K.
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 main focuses for the Summer School are on major works with orchestra (although this may not be possible in 2021 - see below), 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.
Full booking details are below.
The 2019 Summer School participants and staff
Update for participants: 13 July 2021
We are delighted that the Summer School 2021 is going ahead!
Joining Information
We are looking forward to seeing you between 10am-1pm on Monday 26 July, when registration will be open.
Full joining instructions have been emailed to you directly; you can also download them. We are asking all participants to complete our pre-course questionnaire; again, this has been emailed but you can also click below to access it.
Music for the week
The final gala performance on Saturday afternoon will include the following works:
I was glad - Parry
Give unto the Lord - Elgar
Hear my prayer - Mendelssohn
O God Beyond All Praising (Thaxted) - Holst/Paul Smith
Rejoice in the Lamb - Britten
Most of these works are included in the Participant Handbook which will be given to you on arrival, and which can also be viewed and downloaded below. The exception is Rejoice in the Lamb, for which we will provide hire copies on arrival.
Chamber Group repertoire
Much of the repertoire for the ‘classical’ Chamber Groups will be drawn from the Oxford Choral Classics Madrigals and Partsongs book, of which hire copies will be provided on arrival. Pieces drawn from this book will include:
Rore - Anchor Che Col Partire
Lassus - La Nuict Froide Et Sombre
Farmer - Fair Phyllis I Saw Sitting All Alone
Stanford - Heraclitus
Sullivan - The Long Day Closes
Cornelius - So Weich Und Warm
Read and download the participant handbook
If you have further queries or concerns about any aspect of the Summer School, please get in touch by emailing summerschool@voces8.foundation.
Course Experiences Include
Engaging with specialist choral techniques in bespoke masterclass sessions with VOCES8
Rehearsing and performing for a large-scale 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.
Booking details
Resident in the School £760
Non-Resident £525
Children’s Course £500 (including pastoral care)
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. Travel costs are not included.
A £100 non-refundable deposit to secure your place is payable on booking. The full balance becomes due on 1 May 2021.
To enquire about booking a place, please email summerschool@voces8.foundation
