Summer Choral Workshop

Chorworks Annual Summer School 2014

My Beloved Is Mine - Music from The Song of Songs
June 23-28th 2014, George Washington University, Washington, DC

This year – Chorworks’ 10th annual summer workshop – we explore a rich and varied repertory of music from across Europe. We will study, sing and hear luscious music by Palestrina, Clemens, Gombert, Lassus, Guerrero, Victoria, Isaac, L’Héritier, Franck, Schütz, Tomkins and others. The texts of all the pieces are drawn from the richly-worded biblical love song The Song of Songs, also known as Canticum Canticorum, or The Song of Solomon, or The Canticles. 

The workshop is for all levels of singers from advanced high school upwards, for choir directors, and for those who simply wish to listen and learn more about this glorious music.

Chorworks’ week-long workshop is spent singing and learning glorious music, listening to performances and talks, and participating in seminars with leading performers and scholars. In this our 10th anniversary year, our special faculty consists of members of the UK early music ensemble MAGNIFICAT: Sally Dunkley, Amy Haworth, Benedict Hymas, William Dawes, Giles Underwood, with guest faculty James Kennerley and director Philip Cave

All of the faculty are distinguished performers as soloists and in ensembles such as The Sixteen, The Tallis Scholars, and Stile Antico. They will lead daily rehearsals, explore and discuss repertoire and performance issues in depth, coach ensembles, and offer voice lessons to work on individual vocal technique. 

The Workshop
The main workshop runs from Tuesday 24th June and concludes on Saturday 28th with a concert and a closing reception. In addition, we offer an optional extra day of sectional and full rehearsal on Monday 23rd June for those who would enjoy a little more time to familiarize themselves with the music. Workshop costs includes tuition, seminars and other musical activities, and daily refreshments. Copies of music are supplied to participants electronically; private voice lessons are available at a modest extra charge.

Each day offers a full program of singing and listening from 9:00am to 9:00pm. The mornings begin with a vocal warm-up, focusing on aspects of vocal technique relevant to the week’s singing, followed by a mixture of full and sectional rehearsals. After lunch, a seminar or discussion takes place before further rehearsal activity. The evenings feature a reflection on the day’s music, when participants will sing alongside the faculty.

On Friday evening, Magnificat will give an evening concert, and on Saturday evening, it is the participants’ turn to present an informal performance of music we have studied during the week.

My Beloved is Mine - Music from the Song of Songs: 
Outline Schedule

Monday 23 June 
Morning & afternoon: Pre-workshop day rehearsals
Evening: Director’s Reception & open rehearsal with Magnificat

Tuesday 24
Morning: Main Workshop Registration
12:10pm Lunchtime Concert by Magnificat at the Church of the Epiphany, DC 
Afternoon: Main Workshop commences
Evening: rehearsal activity

Wednesday 25 & Thursday 26
Morning: rehearsals
Lunchtime presentation
Afternoon: rehearsals & coaching
Evening: musical reflection

Friday 27
Morning: rehearsals
Lunchtime presentation
Afternoon: special activity
Evening: Concert by Magnificat

Saturday 28
Morning & afternoon rehearsals
Evening: Workshop Participants’ Concert and Closing Reception

Facilities:
Set in the nation’s Capital, minutes away from the cultural and political center of the country, the workshop is located at George Washington University. Since 1912, GW’s Foggy Bottom Campus has been a part of the historic Foggy Bottom neighborhood, only blocks from the White House, State Department, World Bank and world-class museums. More than 100 campus buildings house classrooms, libraries, residence halls, fitness centers and the medical center, with close proximity to shops, restaurants, clubs and galleries.

Lodging is available at several nearby hotels and will also be available at a very affordable rate on campus in the dorm. Dorm rooms are shared (3 or 4 people) Each room has a private bath, refrigerator and microwave. Room space is limited and will be allocated on a first come first served basis. Please reserve early! Dorm rooms are available from June 23rd - June 28th, for a package totaling 6 nights. 2014 rates and reservations will be available very soon.

Refreshments (coffee, tea, assorted nibbles) will be provided, and meals are on your own. There are many restaurants on and around the campus as well as a Whole Foods grocery store, a Starbucks, and a few cafes directly across the street from the music building.

Registration & Fees:
Main workshop: $575 includes tuition, music (provided via e-mail), daily refreshments, and admission to Magnificat’s Friday evening concert.

Additional pre-workshop day on Monday 23rd June: $75

Individual voice lessons with faculty member (45 min.): $65 each

Early Byrd discount: register and pay in full by April 1st and save $25

PART-TIME OPTION - for those who have daytime commitments, attend on the weekend and each evening for half the cost! $275

Introduce-a-Friend discount: Bring a newcomer to Chorworks and save $50 EACH on regular enrollment, or $25 each for part-time registrants! You must mention this discount when registering.

Discounts are also available for full-time music students, group applications, and EMA members. Please enquire for details.

Dorm lodging: Lodging will be available on campus in the dorm at a rate of $35 per night per person for a shared room (3 or 4 people of the same gender to a room – 2 people to a room for married couples) Tax is 14.5%. One time Linen Fee is $12. All rooms contain twin beds. Each room has a private bath with tub and shower, refrigerator and microwave. Room space is limited and will be allocated on a first come first served basis. Please reserve early! Dorm rooms are available from the night of June 23rd through the night of June 28th, for a package totaling 6 nights for $252.45. Rooms must be paid in full to Chorworks by the 15th of May.

If you have any further queries, please contact us:
By e-mail: chorworks@gmail.com
By mail: Chorworks, 14 Hayes Street, Stafford, VA 22556
By phone: Office Phone/Fax 877-572-7251
Cell & emergency contact # 540-841-5639

PART-TIME OPTION - for those who have daytime commitments, attend on the weekend and each evening for
half the cost!

Introduce-a-Friend discount: Bring a newcomer to Chorworks and save $50 EACH on regular enrollment or $25 each for part-time registrants! Discounts are also available for full-time music students, group applications, and EMA members. Please inquire for details.