Singing Retreat

Bring a friend and save £50 EACH!*

It will be a special privilege to hold our first choral course based in King’s College. For this course you’ll stay in rooms within the main King’s College site or on historic Bene’t Street, passing through the imposing Porters’ Lodge as we move between college chapels.

Delights in store include a workshop in King’s College Chapel with Director of Music Daniel Hyde, candle-lit Compline in St Catharine’s College chapel, singing Evensong under Graham Walker in St John’s College Chapel, and a formal dinner in Wordsworth’s student rooms at St John’s. You will develop your voice and choral skills with daily vocal health sessions, and enjoy warm camaraderie with a friendly group of people who share your passion for choral music.

Our Singing Retreats are weekend singing courses designed to immerse you in the rich choral life of Cambridge; with accommodation in one of the historic colleges, and opportunities to sing in college chapels under the direction of experienced Cambridge choir directors. Alongside the choral workshops, you’ll enjoy complementary cultural and educational talks, as well as meeting new friends who share a passion for singing.  Staying in King’s College, we’ll sing in three different college chapels, and we hope to include at least one session in the great King’s College Chapel.

Each choral course includes full group and chamber choir sessions, coaching on vocal health and singing technique, historical and repertorial expertise; and services in college chapels.

King’s College was founded by King Henry VI in 1441 and has continuously striven to uphold Henry’s love for ‘education, religion, learning and research’. King’s College Chapel is the most instantly recognisable and iconic building in Cambridge, with Rubens’ imposing The Adoration of the Magi (1633–34) standing over the main altar. In addition to being a place of daily worship, it is known globally for A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, broadcast live on radio to millions worldwide every Christmas. With beautiful lawns reaching down to the river Cam and an ornate Porters’ Lodge opening onto King’s Parade in the hearth of Cambridge, it’s a fabulous  setting for our choral course.  

Repertoire: click here to see what delights we have in store for you!

Experience this extraordinary world from the inside:

• Ensuite accommodation in stunning  King’s College (please bear in mind this is an academic setting rather than a hotel)
• Sing in iconic Cambridge college chapels, each with a different acoustic, feel and organ: King’s, St John’s, St Catharine’s.
• Evensong and Compline under leading Cambridge choral directors
• Vocal health sessions to develop and sustain your voice
• Welcome drinks reception where you will have the opportunity to meet the other participants and the weekend tutors and staff
• Saturday night formal dinner in Wordsworth’s student rooms at St John’s College, with fine wines from the college cellar
• Complementary cultural and educational talks with academic specialists to give context and insights
• Time out to explore Cambridge

FEES: £745 full board, £545 non-residential

Student Scholars: we’re pleased to offer a Student Scholar rate for those aged  18-21 or in full time education @£450 (£250 non-resident).

Full course fee includes full board for 2 nights, all tuition, welcome reception, music hire, 3-course formal dinner with private dining and other activities.  All rooms are single occupancy and ensuite with tea and coffee making facilities.

* Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer

We will be seeking to create a balanced chamber choir.  Applicants should be experienced choral singers with good note-reading ability. 

Cambridge Chorał Academy is an independent organisation which contracts with Cambridge Colleges for the use of facilities. This event otherwise has no connection or association with the University of Cambridge of its Colleges

Photography credits: Jean-Luc Benazet and courtesy of King’s College