Play music, sing or learn to do either in fantastic Country House settings in Great Britain. Uniquely sociable breaks combine conducted, coached or led sessions with either guided walks or free time (when you can continue playing or singing independently if you prefer). Orchestras, flute choirs, clarinet choirs, woodwind brass or string ensembles, it's all here.

You provide the instrument or voice, we provide the rest. Our leaders select music on the basis of a questionnaire you complete in advance, and run sessions in the mornings and evenings, and on some holidays in the later afternoons, too.

Many find the get away from it all experience, in lovely surroundings with good food, one of fun, camaraderie and achievement in equal measure.

Our prices hide nothing and represent remarkable value for money - you don't need to spend anything other than when you are out and about independently.

Please select a holiday from the left hand menu.

Orchestra and Choir

Join our scratch orchestra or choir to play or sing a variety of music selected and prepared in advance according to your ability by a team of music coaches, usually wind, string and choral. Music tackled might include something like a Beethoven or a Mendelssohn symphony, plus lighter pieces to complement it. There will be rehearsals all morning, with optional guided walks in the afternoon. After dinner we will have a further rehearsal. You can usually sightsee instead of walking or alternatively if you would rather stay with the music non-stop, enjoy informal get-togethers.

*Under 18s half price

[Back to the top and holiday index]

String Orchestra with Ensembles NEW

The same format as our Orchestra and Choir holiday; two music sessions a day with a guided walk in the afternoon. This mainly orchestral holiday will include several sessions of small ensemble playing, exploring a variety of styles and textures.

[Back to the top and holiday index]

Light Music Orchestra

Explore music from the great days of the BBC Light Programme and the Winter Garden, Palm Court and seaside orchestras. Composers such as Eric Coates, Haydn Wood, Robert Farnon, Leroy Anderson and Charles Williams will feature and a few selections from popular shows of the period will be included as well. Playing sessions for all in morning and later afternoons, with occasional evening sessions, offering the usual blend of musicality and sociability. During some sessions we’ll also take the opportunity to listen to recorded material performed by the original orchestras.

*Under 18s half price

[Back to the top and holiday index]

Concert Band

Wind and brass players can enjoy two daily sessions exploring the concert band repertoire and works for smaller ensembles. There will be rehearsals all morning, with optional guided walks in the afternooon. After dinner, we will have a further rehearsal, or you can enjoy informally arranged ensembles.

[Back to the top and holiday index]

Clarinet Choir

A wide range of music will be selected and prepared for quartets and full clarinet choir. Three sessions daily (morning, late afternoon and evening) will coach the best out of the group but with the accent on enjoyment and fun rather than a pressure to perform.

*Under 18s half price

[Back to the top and holiday index]

Play Ukulele NEW

Ukulele is portable, cheap, easy to learn and enormous fun to play. This tiny 4-stringed instrument achieved huge popularity in the United States at the start of the last century. Marilyn Monroe memorably played one in 'Some Like It Hot'. From Ukulele Ike and George Formby to the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain it has never really gone out of fashion, and is now in the news again, being embraced by some primary schools as a street-credible alternative to the recorder.

What will you learn
Learn tuning, chord shapes and strumming patterns to accompany simple songs or melodies. The repertoire will range from folk songs and music-hall favourites to pop classics: everything from traditional to The Beatles.

[Back to the top and holiday index]

Get to Grips with Keyboards

Today’s keyboards are a world away from pianos - you have a whole orchestra at your fingertips. We learn to pick out tunes by ear and read them from the page, add chords with the left hand, control the sounds and rhythms and generally understand the basics. There will be three group sessions; morning, late afternoon and evening. You are free in the afternoons to explore the countryside or you can have individual lessons. We work towards an informal concert on the last day.

[Back to the top and holiday index]

Make the most of your Keyboard

Building on the beginner's skills, we explore new chords, more advanced use of the keyboard and adding your own intros, endings and twiddly bits. We will be looking at more fun with composing our own music and improvising. There will be three group sessions; morning, late afternoon and evening. You are free in the afternoons to explore the countryside or you can have individual lessons. We work towards an informal concert on the last day.

*Under 18s half price

[Back to the top and holiday index]

Start or re-start Singing

You've either never tried or just want to improve your singing. Either way, you can have group and individual coaching in vocal technique with an enjoyable range of songs. Individual tastes can be catered for and there will be opportunities to surprise yourself in simple but effective part singing. We will coach the best out of you in fun sessions morning, late afternoon and evening. Enjoy free time to explore or unwind in the middle of the day.

[Back to the top and holiday index]

Singing for Pleasure

Enjoy a wide selection of music from unison and part songs depending on group ability, folk song arrangements, Gilbert and Sullivan, and music from the shows. Group singing for the pure pleasure of it, we sing in the mornings with shorter sessions late afternoon and evening.

[Back to the top and holiday index]

Singer's Workshop

Study individual songs through group singing, with special attention paid to breath control and interpretation of the songs. You will have the opportunity to perform if you wish and to bring your own music.

[Back to the top and holiday index]

Songs for Christmas

Enjoy a variety of Christmas music to suit all tastes. We will sing traditional carols and some lighter fare with some new arrangements written specially for this holiday. Our Country House accommodation in Bourton-on-the-Water and Malhamdale, will be suitably Christmassy and add to the atmosphere.

[Back to the top and holiday index]

Choral Singing

A pleasing mix of secular and sacred choral music will be on the programme for your choir. Sessions run daily in the mornings, followed by an optional afternoon guided walk and an evening session.

[Back to the top and holiday index]

The Choral Music of John Rutter

John Rutter is known to many as a very popular UK composer with Church anthems, carols, a Magnificat popular Requiem and other choral music to his name. We'll concentrate on his works in morning, late afternoon and evening sessions, with an informal performance on the last night of the holiday. Time permitting, we'll also have a brief look at one or two pieces by contemporary British composers such as Andrew Carter. A treat for all fans of traditional choral music, offering instantly, approachable and appealing music.

[Back to the top and holiday index]

Jazz Singing

Have fun learning to sing jazz. Bring six or so favourite songs, maybe classics from Cole Porter, Irving Berlin or Gershwin or something less well known, and let us turn them in to performances to remember. Accompanied by an excellent jazz pianist and a tutor who’ll be with you at every step, you’ll learn simple scat and decoration, and freedom!

[Back to the top and holiday index]

Ladies' Choir

Come and enjoy a selection of serious and light music in two or more parts, much of it written specifically for Ladies' Choir. Sessions run daily in the mornings, late afternoon and again in the evenings. We work towards an informal performance on the last evening.

[Back to the top and holiday index]

Chanteuses - Women only!

There are lots of songs written or arranged just for upper and middle voices which women can enjoy without compromise. We'll sing them as they were intended to be sung; this isn't just a sing-along, we've got a vast repertoire of light, pleasing, attractive music as well as the occasional challenge if we are up to it. One minute we may be singing a lovely arrangement from the Sound of Music, the next a Handel part song. Sight-reading ability is helpful but if you can pick up a tune easily then it's not important.

[Back to the top and holiday index]

Madrigals & Part Songs NEW

An opportunity to explore some fun, cheeky and more serious colours of Madrigal singing. Music by Dowland, Weelkes, Morley, Orlando Gibbons and others will be sung. You'll be enchanted by the fun lyrics of some and the poignant love themes of others, plus the unending clever harmonies produced from those talented composers. As part singing is necessary, it would be a great advantage for singers to be fairly good readers and to be able to hold a part comfortably, even if with others. Help with essential pitch, phrasing and musicality will be given.

[Back to the top and holiday index]

Sing a G & S Opera

After a "sing through” of The Yeoman of the Guard plus a selection of other choruses, we will work towards the best performance we can muster on the last night of the holiday via light-hearted “auditions” for budding soloists (who will share parts with others) and chorus work. There will be rehearsals all morning, with optional guided walks in the afternoon. After dinner we have a further rehearsal.

[Back to the top and holiday index]

Songs from G & S

Sing choruses from a variety of G & S operetta and other light music. A short break where budding soloists too will have a chance to perform in an informal concert, and we’ll watch the occasional video for interest. This is wholly about the pleasure of singing G & S, with sessions in the mornings, later afternoon and evening, with afternoons free.

[Back to the top and holiday index]

Bach to Bacharach NEW

Enjoy some real contrasts on this short singing break where we might one minute be singing extracts from Bach's Magnificat, the next something by the Troggs or The Beach Boys. Similar to our Singing for Pleasure, this assumes a slightly higher singing ability so it is helpful to have some sight-reading ability. We include sessions in the morning, late afternoon and evenings.

[Back to the top and holiday index]

Stage a Musical

You'll be amazed at what can be achieved with expert coaching in vocal technique, stage movement and dialogue, in three 90 minute sessions per day; namely a performance, on the final evening, of one main musical theatre work. Participate at whatever level you choose, from chorus singing to solo and acting opportunities. Guided walks are offered in non-workshop time.

*Under 18s half price

[Back to the top and holiday index]