How it all works
How does the Summer School work?
There are a wide range of courses each week, covering instrumental, vocal and choral skills as well as composition. Each day is divided into four sessions and you can choose your own timetable for the day. In the evenings there are often three or even more concerts, all of which are included in the Summer School package. You don’t need to book tickets for these: just turn up with your Summer School pass to gain admission.
Am I good enough?
Most courses require a basic knowledge of music. Some courses may introduce you to a new musical genre which you haven’t previously experienced. Some classes are ‘open access’, meaning you don’t need to undertake any preparation to take the course, whilst others are ‘by application’, meaning you will need to apply in advance and perhaps submit some additional materials. Any specialised criteria is clearly marked on the individual course pages.
How long do I stay for?
Attendance at the Summer School is for a week at a time, arriving on Saturday afternoon in time for dinner and the evening welcome and concert, and then departing the following Saturday morning after breakfast.
Is the Summer School accessible?
Yes, the site at Gresham’s has good accessibility. There is flat access around the site and accessible bathrooms within all the main buildings. It is a very short distance between buildings and the closest accommodation blocks are within 200 metres of the rehearsal and performance spaces. There are also accessible bedrooms at Gresham’s. Please indicate on your registration form if you have any specific access requirements.
What does it cost to attend?
There are three options to choose from:
- Residential package with shared bathroom facilities – £1,185 per week
- Residential package with en-suite bathroom facilities – £1,795 per week
- Non-Residential package, including all courses and concerts, but no accommodation or catering – £595 per week.
Please note: Charges are per person per week, rather than per room.
How do I make payment?
When you register for the Summer School we will email you with a secure payment link, requesting a deposit of £150 per person per week (for bookings made prior to 1st March 2024). You will then have the choice to either make a direct bank transfer for the deposit payment, or a card payment via our card processing partner, Go Cardless. We will then send you further payment links as follows: 50% of the remaining balance will fall due on 1st March 2024. The remaining 50% of the balance will fall due on 1st June 2024. For bookings made after 1st March 2024 the deposit will be 50% of the balance due.
What’s included in the cost?
A full residential package includes:
- All courses and tuition
- All concerts and talks
- A single bedroom for the week in one of the on-site accommodation blocks – there are also some twin rooms on site. Please indicate on your registration form if you are making a booking as a couple.
- Three cooked meals each day
- Complimentary concert programme for the week
How do I know what courses I am taking?
When you register, using the form on this website, you should select one course for each session of the day. If you subsequently decide you would like to change any of these sessions then you are free to do so provided the alternative course hasn’t reached capacity. You may also choose to leave some sessions clear if you so wish. Please indicate on the registration form your instrument and/or voice type together with your approximate experience level. For those who would like to take part in organised chamber music, please complete the chamber music section of the registration form.
Chamber Music
If you have registered for Chamber Music this year please complete the planning form which you can find by clicking the button below. Please ensure you press the submit button at the bottom of the form so it is sent to us.
What is the catering provided at the Summer School?
If you are registered for a residential package then included in this are three cooked meals each day, served in the Refectory at Gresham’s. The first meal included in your package is dinner on the Saturday evening of your arrival, available from 6.30pm to 7.30pm. You then have breakfast, lunch and dinner each day through to breakfast on the final Saturday of your booking.
Are children and young people welcome at the Summer School?
We are very happy to welcome children and young people to the Summer School. To adhere to safeguarding regulations, everyone under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Any children or young people who wish to stay as residential guests must be accommodated within the en-suite accommodation blocks. Please indicate on your registration form if any of those you are registering are under 18 years of age.