Sounds of Sweden - 29 June to 6 July 2025
Directed by Neil Ferris
More Sounds of Sweden
Introduction
After our very successful Sounds of Sweden week in 2023, we have been very keen to return to the city of Uppsala and it's splendid cathedral. We will sing a new mass by local composer Mårten Jansson together with the sublime Requiem by Matthew Coleridge who plans to make a personal appearance during the week. There will be an opportunity to visit nearby Stockholm on the Thursday half-day.
We have also been invited to sing during the Sunday morning mass in Uppsala cathedral. If you have a late afternoon or evening flight you may well wish to take part. Please let us know if you are available for this extra singing opportunity.
Who is the course for?
This course is for experienced choral singers of all ages. Participants should have good sight-reading ability and be prepared to study the music beforehand.
There will be a certain amount of walking, standing around and climbing steps involved in this week. We don't expect that this will tax anyone of average fitness but if your fitness or stamina is below average, you should contact us for a confidential chat before booking.
The course runs from Sunday evening, when we meet for dinner and a few introductions, to the following Saturday evening where we perform our new repertoire at a formal concert in the Cathedral. We will sing for approximately five hours each day with breaks for coffee and a long afternoon break. Thursday will be a half-day when many people may choose to visit Stockholm or explore a little further afield.
Musical Director
Neil Ferris is the Chorus Director of the BBC Symphony Chorus, Artistic Director and conductor of Sonoro, and has been the Music Director of Wimbledon Choral from 2009 to 2024.
In demand as guest conductor at some of the finest choirs in the UK, Neil has worked with the London Symphony Chorus, The Bach Choir, the Choir of the Age of Enlightenment and the BBC Singers. read more...
Music
- Music List
Requiem - Matthew Coleridge
Missa Brevis - Mårten Jansson
He that dwelleth in the most high - Becky McGlade
And I saw a new heaven - Edgar Bainton
Where to stay?
We have chosen the large and comfortable Raddissson Blu for our stay. It has all the facilities you would expect from a modern hotel and is ideally suituated close to resturants the town centre and the station. The cathedral where we will be rehearsing is about 10-15 minutes walk away.
Getting there
This bit is up to you and is not included in the price of the weekend. There are affordable budget flights to Stockholm Arlanda which is less than an hour away by train from Uppsala. The hotel is less than three minutes walk from the station. You need to arrive in time for dinner on the Sunday night and can leave any time the following Sunday unless you are staying to sing during morning mass.
What does it cost?
The Uppsala course fee is £1295 which will cover all tuition, seven nights accomodation in the Radisson Hotel with breakfast, and four three course group meals with wine. This price is based on two sharing so there will be a single occupancy supplement of £35 a night respectively . Non-singers sharing a singer's room pay a reduced rate of £1025. Music for the course, which can be kept, will cost £35 and is sent out about eight weeks in advance.
Travel and health insurance
All participants are required to take out appropriate holiday insurance and notify RBS of the policy provider before the courses starts., You should also bring an EHIC or GHIC card with you.
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.
