A Week in Salamanca
- 20 September to 27 September 2026Directed By Patrick Craig
Introduction
Salamanca is a compact university city with a remarkably intact historic centre, built almost entirely from the local golden sandstone. It boasts the oldest university in Europe and it has two cathedrals - all UNESCO-listed of course. It also claims to have the best cured ham (jamon) in Spain...
We like the chilled studenty buzz in the cafes and restaurants around the old town. For visitors, this makes Salamanca easy and rewarding to spend time in. The Plaza Mayor is a genuine meeting place, evenings are lively without being overwhelming, and everything is close enough to fit naturally around rehearsals and shared meals.
The course runs from Sunday evening, when we meet for our first group dinner, to the following Saturday evening where we perform our end of course concert. 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 people may choose to explore a little further afield. If there is sufficient interest we will arrange an excursion to a local attraction. Details to follow.
Who is the course for?
Participants should have good understanding of musical notation and must be prepared to study the music beforehand. It also helps if you enjoy good food, good company and the occasional glass of wine. We all eat together most evenings in a selection of different restaurants where everyone will soon get to know each other. Our singing holidays have proved equally popular with people travelling on their own and singing couples. 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.
Musical Director
Patrick Craig is a countertenor, harpist, teacher, lecturer and conductor. He is a Vicar Choral at St Paul's Cathedral and has sung almost a…
Patrick brings a rich mix of music to celebrate the music of Angels. With sets from Spain, England and Russia, he is delighted to be presenting Oratorio highlights by Handel and Mendelssohn as well as Elgar’s monumental setting of the Te Deum in which Cherubim and Seraphim make an appearance. The programme finishes with Patrick Gower’s wonderful Ascension motet Viri Galilei in which angels make both gentle and thunderous appearances.
MUSIC LIST
Te Deum – Elgar SATB & Organ
Gloria in excelsis Deo – Weelkes SSATB
Factum est silentium – Dering SSATTB
Gaudeamus omnes – Byrd SSATB
Let their celestial concerts all unite (from Samson) – Handel SATB
Descendit Angelus Domini – Victoria SSATB
In conspectu angelorum – Guerrero SAATB
Duo Seraphim - Esquivel SSAATB
For he shall give his angels (from Elijah) - Mendelssohn SSAATTBB
Cherubic Hymn no.1 – Tchaikovsky SSAATTBB
Hymn of the Cherubim – Rachmaninov SSAATTBB
Viri Galilei – Gowers SSAATTBB and Organ duet
We will be staying in the 4 star Hotel Catalonia Plaza Mayor, right in the heart of the old city. Singers can check in any time from 2.00 pm on the Sunday, explore Salamanca, then join their fellows for dinner and a few introductions. Rehearsals start the next day on Monday morning.
The course fee is payable in two stages - a deposit of £295 and a further £1145 payable on invoice around eight six weeks before the course commences . and is based on two sharing. This covers tuition, seven nights accommodation with breakfast, and four three course evening meals with wine. Music can be kept - will cost £30 and is sent out six-eight weeks in advance. There is a single occupancy supplement of £275. Non-singing partners shariung a singer's room are welcome to join us and pay a reduced fee of £1095.
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 (nick@runbysingers.org) or Emma Ford (emma@runbysingers.org) 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.
