About Us

The Dartington International Summer School Foundation is an independent charity (reg.272163), first established in 1976.

Over the past 47 years we have worked to support, develop and enhance the programme of the Dartington International Summer School, and subsequently, the Dartington Music Summer School and Festival.

We have achieved this, thanks to the generous support of our donors and supporters, by providing bursaries for talented young musicians and teachers, enabling them to attend the Summer School; providing funding to establish new courses at the Summer School; supporting capital improvement works at Dartington; providing funds to help underwrite the core staff and operational costs of the Summer School; and providing advice and support to the Summer School team.

The Dartington International Summer School Foundation has also worked to ensure the legacy of the Summer School is preserved and celebrated, having created the Summer School archive and, most recently, having placed this in the care of the British Library.

When it became apparent in October 2023 that a Summer School was no longer viable at Dartington, the Foundation set out to secure the future of the Summer School at a new location. We are delighted to have found a wonderful setting at Gresham’s School in stunning North Norfolk.

Gresham’s (which counts Benjamin Britten, Lennox Berkeley and W H Auden amongst its alumni) will provide a fabulous base for the Summer School, with stunning performance and rehearsal facilities along with relaxing and comfortable residential accommodation for participants, all surrounded by beautiful grounds and woodlands. The picturesque Georgian market town of Holt is less than 10 minutes walk from the school whilst the North Norfolk coast is just 4 miles away.

Concerts, talks and events will take place every day throughout The Music Summer School and Festival, across a range of different spaces including the Auden Theatre, the Fishmongers’ Recital Hall in the Britten Music Building, the Dyson Building, the Chapel, and the wonderfully atmospheric outdoor Theatre in the Woods.

The Music Summer School and Festival will feature a range of courses for participants including Choir, Vocal Ensembles and Chamber Choir, Opera Scenes, Improvisation, Chamber Music, Baroque Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, String Ensemble, Early Music, Composition, Instrumental and Vocal Workshops and Masterclasses and much more.