Songs
From a Full Moon
9th - 16th August 2024
Singing Holiday for more experienced singers on the Wild Atlantic Way
With Candy Verney and Lindsey Williams
Have you been singing in choirs for a few years now, and want to challenge yourself?
We are very excited to introduce you to Lindsey Williams, a superb and original song writer. Candy and Lindsey have been collaborating for over 10 years, and have written 2 books of choir songs together.
We realised that Lindsey's songs were good, that Candy's choral arrangements were good, but that the combination was something special. These songs have been sung by choirs across several countries, even crossing continents. You can hear some of them here.
The songs cover a range of topics...from wandering poets through to developing self-awareness, via eco concerns...the Tolpuddle Martyrs... the suffrage movement...the decline of the curlew...escaping over the Berlin Wall - we hope there's something here for everyone.
The best-known song. Life Lived Well, is an elegiac reflection on growing older and looking back on every aspect of the life you have lived.
We will be creating at least one new song, especially for this week. We'll also sing many other easy songs from a world music repertoire, plus rounds and singing games.
Treat yourself to a whole week of singing glorious harmonies, soul-filled lyrics, good craic and brilliant, relaxed teaching.
Who is this singing holiday for?
This week 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..
You still don’t have to read music- still a relaxed atmosphere. We will learn by ear, but we will also supply music for those who prefer this.
Over the week, our own little community will build, seed new friendships, connect to local people, explore the natural vibrant beauty surrounding us. So if you like singing, wilderness, a sense of adventure, meeting other interesting folk and returning home feeling refreshed, invigorated and in tune, then join us here
Costs
Course Dates
9th August 2024
16th August 2024
to
What is included?
The course cost covers the singing, accommodation, food for breakfast and lunch, and the evening meal when you arrive on the first night.
Evening meals
Previous singers have really enjoyed cooking the evening meal in groups of three. It was fun!
So to keep costs down, the plan is that each group of three buys, prepares and cooks an evening meal. It works out at once a week only. If you are not a confident cook- don’t worry! There are always plenty of good cooks and people to help. There are also great local fish and chips and we can treat ourselves to a meal out in the pub too.
Please let us know any special dietary needs.
Arrival and Departure Times
Arrive from 4-6pm on the first evening
Depart after breakfast on the final day
Pattern of the Day
We sing for 3 hours every morning. The middle of each day will be free time to explore, do your own thing.
Most evenings we’ll eat together, then after a communal clear up (with more singing of course), we either have a visiting speaker or singer, or we sing, and create our own entertainment by sharing songs and making space for those who wish to share their talents, be they musical, storytelling or games.
Traditional culture in this area of Donegal is wonderfully vibrant, and we often invite local singers, poets, history or archeology experts to give us a session. There are several videos of Diane Cannon and Noeleen ní Cholla, both wonderful ‘seán-nós’ singers, singing at the Song House on our Facebook page.
There are local music sessions on Tuesday evening and Sunday afternoon.
For travel to the Song House, please see our Getting Here page.
Please take some time to familiarise yourself with our Cancellation Policy.
About the Teachers…
Candy Verney is a woman of vision, creativity and courage, so when she got the call to purchase the then Poets House in 2015, she took the leap and answered that call. She and Robin have since converted it into The Song House, a comfortable, sustainable and beautiful retreat centre with fruitful organic gardens.
Candy is a choir director and trainer, who for the last 27 years has been building communities through song, facilitating thousands to find their voice. She has written several song books for Choirs. (link)
She directs The Pan European Choir with members across Europe, and a local choir from the Song House - Cór an Chroí. Candy has been a member of the Natural Voice Network for 25 years.
Candy Verney
Lindsey Williams
Having grown up in the Land of Song – Wales – it was inevitable that Lindsey would enjoy singing – especially singing with others. Lindsey completed Candy’s choir leader training in 2015, since which time she’s been involved in running choirs ranging from small scale singing groups, to choirs of 100+ singers. Lindsey set up the Pan Euro Choir with Candy in 2017.
Meeting Candy also led to collaborating on writing and arranging songs for choirs. These songs are intended to be thought provoking but also to be emotionally and musically enriching. To date, the songs have been sung by choirs across three continents. Lindsey is a member of the Natural Voice Network. As a clinical psychologist with 30 years’ experience in the NHS and beyond, Lindsey also believes that singing is an excellent way to improve mood, reduce anxiety and promote a deep sense of belonging through singing together, laughing together and experiencing life through songs.
Testimonials
“Thank you from the bottom of my heart and renewed soul for the most wonderful week where through your most special guidance, generosity and hospitality singing has given me so much more than I expected or could have imagined.”
“Loved the singing. Was great to be back to it. Filled up my singing tank. Candy you make it so easy to learn and enjoyable. You have a fantastic skill which makes singing accessible to everyone. Thank you for sharing it.”
“I came across these songs after hearing Frankie Armstrong sing Life Lived Well – I went to a Candy & Lindsey workshop – and now I’m hooked! The arrangements fit the songs so well – every part has something good to sing, the words are alternately stirring and profoundly moving, and the harmonies are just exquisite”
“My favourite is Turtle – the ending makes me cry, but I love the way the bass part reflects the movement of the waves”