Belonging – a Journey of Enquiry
In an ever shifting world, what are we belonging ourselves to?
With Jenny O'Hare and Niall Graham
10th - 12th February 2023
As humans, we have a deep desire to belong; be that to place, to a people, or simply to ourselves. Much of what has traditionally offered us this belonging is now shifting rapidly. In such a landscape, how is it that we can root ourselves in lives of meaning?
You are invited to a deeply experiential weekend in which we will explore the thread of Belonging through relationship to self, place, community and culture.
Community Choir Leadership Course
Led by Candy Verney
23rd to 31st March 2023
"I adored every single bit. It soothed and comforted and pushed and challenged. It took me to the heart of my fears and out the other side. There was nothing I couldn’t use. The protective loving atmosphere you and Robin create is utterly unique and has held us so safe, allowing us to go to… and through… and past dangerous territory. Thank you for giving us so much of yourselves." Jessie from Ceridigion, Wales April 2022
This course will give you skills to run singing workshops in a wide variety of community settings. But singing in this way, opens the heart, and for many, leads them also on a transformational journey.
It is a hands-on, practical course which includes philosophy, theory and lively discussion where appropriate. There are no entry requirements and you don’t need to be able to read music. However it will be most useful to people who have had experience in some areas of music: singing in choirs, but also teaching or other musical settings. All musical experience is helpful.
Singing on the Wild Side
Singing Holiday on Ireland's Beautiful Wild Atlantic Way
With Sarah Garden
Friday 28th April, to Friday 5th May 2023
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, that looks out onto Muckish mountain. By the end of the week you will find yourself rested, rejuvenated and restored to your centred & grounded self, with a repertoire of up to 12 harmony songs – and that’s just the beginning…
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.
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-nós 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.
Voice & Choral Feast on the Wild Atlantic Way
A week of immersive choral singing and voice work, surrounded by mountains and the Wild Atlantic Way – for singers with some experience of singing in choirs
Friday 30th June – Friday 7th July 2023
With Candy Verney and Sophie Grimmer
Would you like to develop your voice further?
Have you sung in choirs for a while, and now you feel the need to deepen the quality of the sound?
Would you like to sing more challenging repertoire?
Would you like to immerse yourself in the beauty of the human voice, and have fun too?
This promises to be a very stimulating and restorative course, with a high professional input from both teachers. Candy’s background is in community choir leadership. Sophie’s background is in opera performance, singing teaching and voice pedagogy research. Between us we can draw on extensive experience in diverse complementary fields to offer an immersive week of choral music and personal voice work
Over the week, our own little community will build, sharing profound musical experiences and challenges, seeding new friendships, exploring the natural vibrant beauty surrounding us. So if you want to challenge your singing self, have a sense of adventure, meeting other interesting folk and returning home feeling refreshed, invigorated and in tune, then join us here.
Singing on the Wild Side
Singing Holiday on Ireland's Beautiful Wild Atlantic Way
With Sarah Garden
Friday 18th to Friday 25th August 2023
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, that looks out onto Muckish mountain. By the end of the week you will find yourself rested, rejuvenated and restored to your centred & grounded self, with a repertoire of up to 12 harmony songs – and that’s just the beginning…
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.
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-nós 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.