Introduction

The historic spa town of Harrogate hosted a very successful annual choral week from 1995 to 2006. To meet the continuing demand from singers for a residential summer course based in Yorkshire, John Dunford, Lynn Hudson, Thom Meredith and Sue Rosborough are delighted to offer a five day choral course, over the Bank Holiday weekend in August (Saturday 23rd to Thursday 28th), at Ashville College, just two miles from the centre of the town. The participants will form the Harrogate Festival Chorus to perform Rutter's Magnificat and Elgar's The Music Makers in the Royal Hall.

The course will provide a full range of choral and performing opportunities, including rehearsals both as a full SATB choir as well as in separate male and female voice choirs, two concerts, one with contributions from Richard Uttley, a young guest pianist, and Dr Paul Whittaker of Music and the Deaf, as well as vocal master classes. The timetable will allow participants plenty of opportunity to enjoy the delights of Harrogate, with its fabulous shopping, cafe culture, glorious gardens, graceful architecture and spa amenities, the sporting facilities on site at Ashville College, including a modern swimming pool, and the wonderful countryside of the Yorkshire Dales.