Song
of the Earth
June 2025
A Singing Retreat in the Wilds of Donegal
With Una McCann
Song of the Earth is a weeklong singing holiday for those with a little more experience, combining singing with the chance to explore the stunning natural landscape of Northwest Donegal.
This course is ideal for vocalists looking to deepen their craft. The group will be comprised of experienced singers coming together in harmony to uplift and inspire each other.
With a focus on vocal care, techniques for breathing, range, phrasing, tone production, this course offers a unique opportunity for singers and vocalists with prior experience to feel more at home in their voices while enjoying the challenges and joys of group harmony singing.
With a repertoire that speaks of a deep connection with the land, nature and the wonderful human spirit, the week will flow with many beautiful songs, providing opportunities for individual voices to shine in a solo capacity and for the group sound to emerge in glorious harmony.
Level of experience required:
At least 2 years’ experience of singing as part of a 3 or 4 part harmony vocal group or choir.
Ability to hold harmony part within a small group.
Solo singing is optional.
A short clip of Una’s Song ‘I Believe’ being sung in the bar, at the Natural Voice Network's Annual Gathering of song leaders.
Costs
Evening meals
This course is semi-catered. That means that the food for breakfasts and lunches is provided, and the evening meals are planned, purchased and prepared as a communal activity. Cooking in groups has always turned out to be a highlight of the experience, a great way to bond with fellow singers, and it keeps overall costs down.
Putting around €20 into the pot at the start of the week will cover all evening meals, and you will organise into groups of three to cook. Don’t worry if you are not a confident chef! There are always plenty of good cooks to help. There is also a great local fish n’ chip shop, 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
Course Dates
24th June 2025
to
1st July 2025
What is included?
All the singing, accommodation, food for breakfast and lunch, and the evening meal when you arrive on the first night.
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 Teacher…
‘Every day is a good day to sing together’
I’ve worked in music for all of my adult life as a singer, song-writer, musician and choir leader. I’ve been leading choirs in and around Belfast for over 20 years. I love what group singing does; the fun and friendship that appears when we invite our natural voices out to play. Harmony is like magic to me. It instantly creates joy and connection in the room. Having worked with some of my choirs for many years, I see the community that has built up and am in awe of the connections that have been made.
The songs that I share are songs that inspire, uplift, and are fun to sing. I have both classical training and a natural aural ability and can adapt each song to find something to suit each voice whether you are an experienced singer or an absolute beginner. The main ethos will always be to find our way into beautiful music in a fun and relaxing way. I look forward to singing with you!
Una McCann
Una is a member of the Natural Voice Network.
Testimonials