A typical day at Oakham starts with a morning vocal warm-up with Janet Coxwell. This session usually takes place in the Chapel, but if weather is good, the Chapel gardens may beckon! The warm-up session is designed to exercise your vocal cords and ease you into the day's singing both pysically and mentally.
Following the warm-up, mornings are usually given over to full choir rehearsals, before a talk or lecture session prior to lunch. During the afternoon, you might explore a variety of smaller scale repertoire with your small group and focus on one or two pieces by a particular composer in tutor projects. There will be free time for you to wander through Oakham's picturesque streets, browsing in the shops or enjoying afternoon tea, or just taking advantage of some quiet time to relax in the comfort of your room or in the school's attractive gardens. If you have opted for individual vocal tuition, you will be allocated a 30 minute slot with one of the tutors during the first part of the week. Early evenings may include a rehearsal for Evensong or Eucharist, followed by the service in Oakham Parish Church.
After evening meal, time is given over in the early part of the week to small groups, tutor projects or full choir reharsals. Thursday evening is the Sharing, an informal gathering in which participants perform their small groups pieces to one another. Each day comes to a close in contemplative fashion with Compline by Candlelight in the Chapel.
For those who wish to socialise, the TSSS Bar opens after Compline until 1am, offering a great way to relax after a hard day's singing and to get to know your fellow participants and tutors a little better.
Wednesday is usually our day out in Cambridge, providing you a break from singing and a chance to explore this beautiful and historic city. This year we hope to sing Evensong in one of the college chapels and to offer you supper in one of the colleges.
Friday is concert day! The week ends with our Gala Concert by course participants directed by Peter Phillips. All the main works you have studied during the week will be on the programme, along with a few small groups pieces and tutor projects. The concert takes place in Oakham Parish Church and is open to the public. After all your hard work, you can then wind down and enjoy some refreshment at the last night party.
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