The Cambridge Choral Experience

Can’t get enough of choral music? We have a few Student Scholar places left for our Choral Summer School 27 July – 2 August, staying in St Catharine’s College, right next door to King’s College in the historic city centre. 

Our choral courses are designed to immerse you in the rich choral life of Cambridge, with accommodation a historic college, and opportunities to sing services in college chapels under the direction of celebrated Cambridge choir directors. We’ll sing in exquisite chapels under world-class directors, with candle-lit Compline and Evensongs, a celebration dinner, a chauffeured punt down the River Cam, a choral wine-tasting – good music, good friends, good times!

It’s also an opportunity to develop your voice and choral skills with daily vocal health sessions, and to meet new friends who share your passion for choral music. 

Experience this extraordinary world from the inside – step out of your college room and enjoy: 

• Singing Evensong in glorious Cambridge College chapels, each with a different acoustic, organ and feel: St Catharine’s, Trinity, Corpus Christi, Emmanuel 
• Sing under world-class choral directors including Dr Edward Wickham (Director Music at St Catharine’s College), Professor Steven Grahl (DoM at Trinity College), Graham Ross (DoM at Clare College), Graham Walker (Director of Music at Emmanuel College) and organ scholar Alex Robson (St John’s College) 
• A private viewing of historic manuscripts preserved in the University’s libraries
• Gala Concert in St Catharine’s College, which friends and family are welcome to attend
• Compline by candlelight – a tranquil end to a busy day
• Chamber group work exploring selected pieces in more detail
• Develop your voice with 1-2-1 singing lessons tailored to you
• Nurture your vocal health with daily sessions from our specialist vocal coach to develop and sustain your voice
• Exclusive workshops on consort singing and choral directing
• Singing madrigals on a punting picnic on the River Cam
• Formal dinner in the Old Kitchen at Trinity College
• All meals included and prepared by college chefs
• Wines (and port) selected from the College cellars by the expert College wine steward

There’s also time to explore Cambridge for yourself, perhaps the most intensive square mile of choral singing in the world; and to visit the famous Fitzbillies tea shop, Jack’s Gelato and The Eagle pub, where Crick and Watson celebrated their discovery of DNA in the old Cavendish laboratory across the road. Part of the fun is of course breaking bread together, and we’ll enjoy delicious food prepared by a team of St Catharine’s chefs and wines from the College cellar – plus the opportunity for warm camaraderie and building new friendships.

Fees

All-inclusive fee: £2,050, Non-residential fee: £1,695  

STUDENT SCHOLARS £995

We’re pleased to offer a limited number of Student Scholarships at reduced fees for singers aged 18-25yrs*. To apply, please email [email protected] and we will expedite your application.

The course fee includes full board for 6 nights in ensuite College accommodation, all tuition including a one-to-one singing lesson, welcome drinks reception, music hire and all other activities. All rooms are en-suite, single occupancy, with bedding and towels provided.

* Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer

Is it for me?

If you’re an experienced choral singer with good note-reading ability, this is the course for you!  We seek to create a balanced chamber choir, with places capped at 30-40 places depending on the college.

FAQs

Please click to find answers to questions, or don’t hesitate to email our friendly team: [email protected].

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 or its Colleges.