Singing Holidays
The experience of Singing on the Wild Side is far more than just a singing holiday. We sing every morning in the gorgeous large sunny singing room with its beautiful acoustic and looks out onto Muckish mountain. By the end of the week you will have learnt up to 12 harmony songs.
Our repertoire will be wide and varied. We normally have one or two songs that challenge us, including an original song specially arranged by Candy, then a mixture of Irish songs, world music, rounds, and improvisation. By the end of the week you will find yourself singing about twelve songs in harmony.
We also do our best to introduce singers to the rich local Gaelic culture. You may find yourself moved to tears singing in the ruins of Ray church, or listening to a local singer singing in the ancient sean-nos style. You will have the afternoons to explore the beaches, mountains, rivers and historic sites that abound in the area. We also offer guided walks, kayaking, poetry and music evenings.
Perhaps we will even have deepened our appreciation of the land, our place in it, our communities and ourselves.
A wide range of singers come on our holidays: from beginners to experienced and confident singers. Over the week our little community grows and develops, as we cook and eat together each evening, share experiences and sing together. On the last evening we often put on a very informal concert, sharing our songs with friends and neighbours.
This year 2019, each singing holiday will cater for slightly different tastes:
June week:
Have you been singing in choirs for a few years now, and want to challenge yourself?
Our June 2019 singing holiday will be for singers with some experience. Here’s your opportunity to challenge yourself, to really work on some pieces, and improve your choral sound too. Read more..
July week:
Love chanting, contemplative music?
We are delighted to announce that Candy will be joined by Joseph Moras as co- teacher.
Read more..
Testimonials
"Wonderful to bring in authentic local talent. We learned a lot. Loved being part of the creation process of a new song, by a local singer songwriter- ‘Spread your Wings’ "- D 2018
"The singing, the song, the way it is taught without any pressure, but focused.
The harmony in the group! The landscape!!!" - BB 2018
"Walking on the beach - meeting new people and forming a community singing and sharing - Candy's clear
enabling of harmony. Lovely!" - C 2018
"Gorgeous, welcoming, inclusive, beautiful singing, wonderful views, gorgeous commuinity." - ZG 2018
"The welcoming environment leads to an easy building of community. A fabulous week! Loved the singing and it's variety." - G 2018
"J’ai enormement apprecié gue les chansons soient en quelque sorte ‘sur-mesure’ pur le groupe: thématiques, arrangements, une vraie immersion dans le Donegal." MC Paris 2017
Unique Singing Experience
Each singing holiday is a very special stand alone experience, the music that we make on the singing holiday is of a high quality. We always have at least one song that is either especially composed or arranged for that particular holiday. We work on it and if the song writer is local, which we aim for – we invite them over. It’s a very special occasion as we are working on a completely new piece of music and performing it for the first time, it’s a fantastic musical experience.
Dates for 2 Singing holidays in 2019:
2. Friday 26th July – Saturday 2nd August
Full price for the week is available at the special rate of €590 until March 25th (€640 there after).
Contact us if you have any questions.
Candy Verney
Singing on the Wild Side is the vision of Candy Verney. Candy is a choir director who for the last 20 years has been building communities through song, facilitating thousands to find their voice. When the opportunity of a lifetime came her way, Candy acquired the house. She has since converted it into a comfortable, sustainable and beautiful retreat centre with productive organic gardens. She runs singing holidays and choir leadership trainings there, and it is available for other groups to use too.