A Week in Valladolid
- 1 June to 8 June 2026Directed By Neil Ferris
Introduction
Vallodolid is rather a well kept secret, The Spanish go there to visit - but most international tourists don't. Having been there twice with Spanish friends, it has been on the Runby 'Must Sing there' list for a long time.
Once the seat of the Spanish court, it has a well-preserved historic centre, broad streets, and a layout that feels ordered and easy to navigate rather than overwhelming. It has a park, a river and - most importantly - local people who enjoy choral music
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 MONDAY evening, when we meet for dinner and a few introductions, to the following Monday morning which means our formal concert will be on Sundayevening rather than the usual Saturday. 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 there will be an optional cultural excursion which involves music - and wine! Details to follow.
Musical Director
Neil Ferris is the Chorus Director of the BBC Symphony Chorus, Artistic Director and conductor of Sonoro, and Music Director of Wimbledon Choral since 2009.…
MUSIC LIST
Mathias – O clap your hands
Lucy Walker – Today
Michael Higgins – See, I am God
S S Wesley – Blessed be the God and Father
Cecilia McDowall – Lacrimosa from Da Vinci Requiem
Herbert Howells – Like as the hart
Coleridge Taylor – Magnificat & Nunc Dimittis
Rosephanye Powell – Non nobis Domine
CHH Parry – Blest pair of Sirens (4 part)
e have chosen the large and comfortable Hotel Olid 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 church where we will be rehearsing is about 10 minutes walk away.
This bit is up to you and is not included in the course fee. There are affordable budget flights to Madrid - the nearest airport - and there are fast cheap trains to take you on to Vallodolid . You need to arrive in time for dinner on the Monday night and, with the final concert on Sunday night, you can leave any time the following Monday.
The course fee is £1395 which will cover all tuition, seven nights accomodation in the Olid 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.
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.
