RSCM Singing Break with Joanna Forbes L'Estrange
Friday 10 – Sunday 12 October
Auckland Palace, Co. Durham.
Join composer and conductor Joanna Forbes L’Estrange for an inspirational, uplifting weekend of singing. The music will include Joanna’s major new work, A Season to Sing – a choral reimagining of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons. There will be workshops and a sing-through performance. There will also be the chance to sing an evensong including Joanna’s hugely popular King’s College canticles and her responses.
The weekend will include time to explore the spectacular setting of Auckland Palace, with its world-class collections of art, in the Land of the Prince Bishops, Co. Durham.
The weekend will appeal to singers and also those who direct choirs themselves, providing an immersive encounter with the repertoire and with Joanna herself, whose engaging, positive approach to music making will send you home with a spring in your step.
Rehearsal tracks of the music will be made available in advance to all participants, but a reasonable level of music-reading ability is expected.
Discounts are available for RSCM Members; and non-singing places can be booked for spouses/partners.
| RSCM Member with accommodation | £ 495.00 |
| Non-member with accommodation | £ 595.00 |
| RSCM Member without accommodation | £ 300.00 |
| Non-member without accommodation | £ 400.00 |
| Additional singing partner (double occupancy) and meals | £ 395.00 |
| Non-singing partner with accommodation & meals | £ 165.00 |
Joanna Forbes L'Estrange
Jo is a British vocalist and choral composer whose career began with seven years as music director of the Swingle Singers. Her mission to create a body of tuneful, singable, well-crafted music which every choir can enjoy performing has been describes as 'an integrity of purpose that infuses every musical phrase that Forbes L'Estrange writes.'
Auckland Palace
Positioned high above the meandering River Wear, Auckland Palace is a remarkable symbol of faith and power and was once the seat of the Prince Bishops of Durham. The Prince Bishops were given exceptional powers by the Norman kings of England, as well as the Church, and governed vast swathes of North East England.
We shall be singing in St Peter's Chapel, one of the largest private chapels in Europe.
Accommodation at the Park Head Hotel
If you book accommodation, you will be staying at the very comfortable Park Head Hotel, five minutes drive from the Palace, and part of the Auckland Project. We have booked the entire hotel for the singing-break, and Friday night's meal will be in the award-wining restaurant.
Weekend Schedule
Arriving at the Palace Chapel for a 1pm start on Friday, you will be rehearsing for Evensong in St Peter's Chapel. This will include Joanna's hugely popular King's College Service. This will be followed by Dinner at the Park Head Hotel.
Saturday will feature rehearsals and an informal performance of Joanna's A Season to Sing, an exciting choral re-imagining of Vivaldi's Four Seasons. This will be followed by a private tour of the astonishing Spanish Gallery, where you will also dine.
Sunday Eucharist in the Chapel will include performing Joanna's St Helen Service.
Meals and refreshments will be provided throughout the weekend and are included in the price.
