IAS Summer Courses
What to expect
In IAS Chamber Choir Week, individual singers from around the world come together to build a course Chamber Choir which strives for the next level of choral excellence. Our course repertoire has always been a good mix of a cappella old and new, sacred and secular (including folk and pop music).
We welcome singers of ALL ages (18+) and ALL levels of ability (sight reading skills are not necessary!) although previous choral experience is highly recommended. IAS prides itself in establishing a true community feel, the mix of ages and nationalities creating a wonderful atmosphere to its finished chamber choir.
Course repertoire is sent out to each singer 6 to 8 weeks before the course begins. This gives each singer time to become familiar with the music before we come together.
We rehearse together 6 hours a day, with a morning and afternoon session. The evenings are usually left free to individual self-study and music revision as well as to socialising or perhaps to explore new music in spontaneously created small groups. However, should it prove necessary, we are more than happy to hold extra choral sessions also in the evening in preparation for the concert.
As well as being chorally intensive and involving lots of good vocal work, IAS Summer Courses are packed full of fun and good times, with international friendships blossoming and many warm memories created along the way.
We are keen to find a good balance between singing and making time for recreation. You can relax making use of the excellent sports facilities and perhaps enjoying the fantastic gardens of Westonbirt.
Our comfortable accommodation is in single rooms with shared bathroom facilities. Meals (3 hot meals a day) are taken together in the dining room. There are communal facilities to relax, watch TV and for singers to do some extra rehearsal. There is also access to outstanding sporting facilities, which include tennis courts and a swimming pool.
On the final evening we have our end of course recital, which will be hosted by the Church of St Mary the Virgin in Tetbury. Our performances are always a huge hit with the locals and very well attended.
IAS Ensemble Weeks: please check dedicated section for more info.
Hannah Deasy, England
"The different nationalities was a brilliant idea and I loved meeting people from eight other countries and all of us singing together."
Katy Austin, England
"If you love to sing and share your passion with a lot of beautiful people you are on the right course!"
Hessu, Finland
"We did "take Choral Singing to the next level..." The sound and dynamics clicked in that one week."