International Vocal Summer School
Sunday 10th August to Saturday 16th August 2025
Our world-class tutors will help young singers (aged 12-19) develop their skills and confidence in singing as soloists, both within song and early opera repertoire. The focus will be to equip participants with a broad range of technical, musical and dramatic skills that will enable them to connect with the audience by bringing the text, character and context to life.
This course is ideal for aspiring young soloists preparing to embark on study at music conservatoires (age 16-19) and slightly younger singers seeking to break free from the choir stalls to explore the incredible world of solo performance.
We advise that participants will need to be of minimum Grade 6 standard (ABRSM, Trinity or equivalent). Participants will need to prepare three songs or arias in ‘classical’ style in advance of the course (one of these songs can be from operetta or ‘legit’ Musical Theatre repertoire).
NB – Singers accepted on the senior course (16-19 years) will be offered the chance to perform in short early opera or operetta scenes (appropriate to their age and stage of vocal development). All singers aged 16-19 should therefore submit a video recording of a recent performance with their application. Our staff will assign appropriate repertoire to successful candidates, which will need to be studied in advance of the Summer School.
Musical Opportunities
During the week, you will receive masterclasses, song classes, language classes, chorus, individual acting and singing lessons, workshops and Q&A sessions with leading professors at the UK’s major conservatoires. You will also have multiple opportunities to perform. The highlight will be the end of the week concert and opera scenes performance, which is open to family and friends, on Saturday in Cedars Hall, our state-of-the-art performance venue.
Other Activities
Even professional musicians need a break! With Wells Cathedral School’s outstanding facilities, you’ll have a range of activities to enjoy when you’re not singing…
Meet Our World-Class Staff
About our Course Tutors
Course tutors will generally be either full- or part-time teaching staff of Wells Cathedral School, a government-recognised specialist music school that is known for its quality teaching and musical opportunities for pre-professional musicians. However, should our staff be unavailable for our summer course, we will appoint music teachers of a comparable calibre to teach courses. We are also delighted to welcome John Evans from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama to join the teaching faculty for this summer school.
Vocal Co-ordinator, Conductor and Accompanist
Stage Director
A Typical Day
This is to give an idea of the types of activities and classes you can expect on a typical day. Actual timings and activities may vary.
7.30am: Wake up call for boarders
8.00am: Breakfast
8.30am: Registration in Cedars Hall for both day and boarding students
9.00am: Physical warm up (yoga/pilates)
9.45am: Vocal warm up and short chorus rehearsal
10.30am: Break
11.00am: Song or language class
11.45am: Acting or movement class
12.30pm: Lunch
1.15pm: Opera scene rehearsal
2.45pm: Activities – sport, swimming, shopping, etc
4.30pm: Individual lesson or practice or free time
6.00pm: Supper
6.45pm: Evening activities (special guest talks, masterclasses, Q&A, opera screenings)
7.45pm: Day pupils depart
8.00pm: Boarders activities
9.30pm: Bedtime routine begins (age dependent)
Fees
The course costs £1195 for boarding and £955 for day pupils (including meals – lunch/dinner for day). We have frozen our 2024 course fee but VAT has been added in line with new regulations. You will save 10% off of these fees if you book by 31st January 2025.
A deposit of 25% of the course fee is required to reserve your place, with the balance due on 9th May 2025. Bookings made after the 9th May 2025 must be accompanied by the full fee for the course. Please note deposits are non-refundable.
Discounts
If you book one of our Holiday Music Schools 2025, you are eligible for a £50 discount off the cost of each additional Holiday Music School 2025 course you book. This can be applied across siblings or for one child who takes part in more than one course in 2025. Please use the discount code “HOLIDAYMUSIC50” on your application form for each additional course you book (the full price will be required for the first booked course).
How to Apply
We recommend that you have the following information available before starting our booking process:
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Details about your child’s musical history, including feedback from your child’s music teacher, if applicable, and a list of recently studied repertoire
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Applicants (age 16-18) wishing to be considered as principals for the opera scenes projects should submit a short video either via the form or by email/WeTransfer to [email protected] (deadline: 6th May)
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Payment card details (please note, if you wish to pay by childcare vouchers, please contact us BEFORE filling out the form).
