Cambridge Choral Academy
Exceptional residential choral courses in the most intensive square mile of choral music on the planet. Experience this extraordinary world from the inside... APPLY
Choral Summer School
26 July – 1 August 2026
A week of singing in glorious College chapels, staying in St Catharine’s College in the heart of historic Cambridge, with Evensong, candle-lit Compline, educational talks, workshops, singing in punts on the river, Gala Concert and an indulgent formal dinner.
2 TENOR SPOTS REMAINING!
Epiphany Singing Retreat
8-10 January 2027
A cosy, candle-lit weekend Singing Retreat for Epiphany, set in gorgeous Sidney Sussex College. We’ll bring light to the dark days of winter with warm camaraderie, singing Evensong and Compline services with a feast of kingly repertoire., and sharing a Twelfth Night Dinner together.
BRING A FRIEND AND SAVE £50 EACH!
Royal Fireworks
6-10 April 2027
A sumptuous banquet of music written for the Chapel Royal and royal occasions – from the polyphony of the Tudor period to pomp and circumstance of 20th century coronations. Join us for bangers and sparklers marking royal births, marriages and deaths – the “Crown Jewels” of 500 years of music.
BRING A FRIEND AND SAVE £50 EACH!
What is Cambridge Choral Academy?
Cambridge Choral Academy offers residential choral courses for adults – a chance to experience life as a Cambridge choral scholar (with a touch of indulgence).
Step inside the most intensive square mile of choral singing on the planet! Stay in beautiful colleges, sing in historic chapels, and take part in workshops, vocal training, and music education sessions, all within a warm and welcoming community. Singers from around the globe come together to perform Evensong and Compline under world-class directors, learn from leading academics, and immerse themselves in Cambridge’s rich choral tradition. Daily voice training supports healthy, sustainable vocal development.
Home to internationally renowned choirs and exceptional acoustics, Cambridge provides a unique setting for focused, chamber-scale choral work rooted in the liturgical tradition. This is not a massed choir experience, but one of depth, precision, and musical exploration, spanning early music to contemporary composers.
Above all, it’s a chance to share great music, food, and company with like-minded singers – enjoying time away with friends in an inspiring setting.
“Singing with friends is the best thing ever”
“The best singing week I’ve been to – and I’ve done a few in my time!”
“Exceeded every possible expectation”
“There is no music-making like at Cambridge”
“An amazing experience and I enjoyed every minute”
“Lovely to experience staying in a college in Cambridge”
“For someone who is usually extremely shy, I felt at ease very quickly and actually really loved meeting everybody on the course… A weekend I will never forget.”
“A wonderful weekend of learning and music making. It was unforgettable. I’ll definitely be recommending it to my fellow choir members”
“I have never done anything like this and was overwhelmed by the beauty of the music in these settings.”
Choral Summer Schools
Next course:
26 July – 1 August 2026
at St Catharine’s College
Our Choral Summer Schools for adults are a very special, week-long immersion in Cambridge choral life, singing in a range of college chapels under different directors. We’ll enjoy beautiful Evensongs and tranquil Complines with a repertoire of exquisite music spanning chant, psalmody, renaissance polyphony, luminous masterpieces of the 20th century and choral music from living composers. A week in Cambridge wouldn’t be complete without tasting wines from the college cellars, punting and a pint in the famous Eagle pub… join us?
Singing Retreats
Next courses:
8-10 January at Sidney Sussex College
6-10 April at St Catharine’s College
Our Singing Retreats are short residential choral courses offering the chance to spend an inspiring weekend in a Cambridge college, singing glorious music in glorious chapels. You’ll enjoy good food and wine, and meeting new friends who share your passion for choral music. Great music, great food and great company await you!
Experience this extraordinary world from the inside…
Applications
We will be seeking to create a balanced chamber choir. Applicants should be experienced choral singers with good note-reading ability.
A limited number of student scholarships are available.
Testimonials
“Fantastic weekend. I’m still on such a choral high and can’t stop smiling …and singing!”
“A wonderful weekend of learning and music making. It was unforgettable”
“It’s wonderful that this shared love of music and singing can bring strangers together so quickly”
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