More Mournful Music - 23 February to 27 February 2025
Directed by Rory Mc Cleery
Introduction
Following the sell out succes of our Mournful Music pilgrimage in Salisbury last year we offer singers another five days of deliciously 'miserable' music and a chance to enjoy the full, friendly Runbysingers singing holiday experience without getting on an aeroplane.
There will be a series of informal performances in the fine churches of Salisbury - including the cathedral (TBC) as we embark on a musical pilgrimage taking our music from place to place and enjoying everything that the historic city has to offer.
This will be a residential week based in the Sarum College conference centre where we all stay as a group, sharing meals, music and fellowship as a group of singers. As usual there will be mid week entertainment featuring a guest musician.
Rory's programme for this year's ever-popular Mournful Music is a game of two halves, with works by the great 'Father of English church music', Thomas Tallis, rubbing shoulders with Italian-influenced music by his Recusant contemporaries Peter Philips and Richard Dering. We'll be singing motets, mass movements and some of the iconic tunes from Archbishop Parker's Psalter by Tallis, interspersed with works by Philips and Dering, published in exile during their time in the Spanish Netherlands.
Who is the course for?
This course is for experienced singers who want to improve their choral technique and enjoy exploring a rich mix of repertoire in a convivial social setting. Singing couples and individual singers are all welcome. Music will be sent out in advance and, while nobody is expected to be note perfect on arrival, we do expect singers to familiarise themselves with the music beforehand. This is not a course for beginners but anyone who has been singing regularly in a choral society or church choir is unlikely to feel out of their depth.
Sarum College is in the heart of the City Centre and the amount of walking and standing involved during the week should not challenge anyone of average fitness. If you have concerns about the required level of activity please contact us in confidence before you book.
Musical Director
Rory McCleery began his musical career as a chorister at St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral, Edinburgh under Timothy Byram-Wigfield and Matthew Owens. He gained a double first in music at Oxford University as both Organ and Domus Academic scholar of St Peter’s College, subsequently completing an MSt in Musicology with Distinction. As a countertenor, Rory greatly enjoys working as a soloist and consort singer in concert and recording with ensembles including The Dunedin Consort, The Monteverdi Choir, Ludus Baroque, The Sixteen, The Gabrieli Consort, Contrapunctus, The Tallis Scholars, Le Concert d’Astrée, The Academy of Ancient Music, The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and The Cardinall’s Musick. Read more...
Music
- MUSIC LIST
Tallis
O come in one
Euge caeli porta
Gloria from Mass for 4 voices
Hear the voice & prayer
When shall my sorrowful sighing
Why fum'th in fight
Dorian Mag & Nunc
Peter Philips
Ave verum corpus
Ne reminiscaris
Richard Dering
Ave Virgo gloriosa
Dear love, be not unkind
Where to stay?
We will be staying in Sarum College, a study centre in the close of Salisbury Cathedral. It's not a hotel and the rooms are small and simple. However, all rooms are en suite and there is a bar downstairs.
Singers can check in any time from 2.00 pm on Sunday 23 February, explore Salisbury, then join their fellows for an early supper and a first run through the music. The course ends after lunch on Thursday.
Getting there
Public transport links to Salisbury are excellent. There are direct trains from London, Southampton, Portsmouth, Bath, Bristol, Cardiff and Exeter. If you are planning to drive, please check the following link for detailed directions https://www.sarum.ac.uk/college-community/find-us
What does it cost?
The course fee is payable in two stages - a deposit of £295 and a further £695 no later than six weeks before the course commences . This covers tuition, four nights accommodation with breakfast, lunches and dinner throughout the course, and tea and coffee during breaks. Music - which can be kept - will cost £30 and is sent out six-eight weeks in advance. There are no single occupancy supplements.
Holiday insurance
All participants are advised to have appropriate holiday insurance in place and notify RBS of the policy provider.
Any questions?
If you have any questions at all please contact Nick Couchman ([email protected]) or Emma Ford ([email protected]) or ring us during office hours on 01462 372702. The office is not always occupied so please do leave a message and we will get back to you.
