Explore the summer school
The Summer School & Festival runs from 23 July – 20 August 2022.
Decide whether you’re attending courses, concerts or both, and then choose a package that’s right for you. You can also choose from a range of accommodation options on our beautiful estate as required.
summer school concerts are now live!
We are delighted to report that our stunning programme of concerts is now available to book. There’s something for everyone – including a range of family-friendly events. View the full programme here >
useful links
latest from @dartingtonarts
Love to sing? Spend a revitalising week in the beautiful Devon countryside this summer singing at Dartington's world-famous Music Festival & Summer School!
Join us for our popular "Big Choir" choral courses for a week from 23rd July - 20th August, singing choral classics such as Monteverdi’s sumptuous Vespers, Handel’s dramatic Athalia, Brahms’ Requiem, and Vaughan Williams’ mystical songs. You can also opt to join a Gospel Choir with @blackvoicesuk in Week Four, or join the @nestfolk's Fire Choir led by @benseesings to sing folk protest songs in Week Two.
We're currently particularly short on tenors and basses for our Summer School choirs, so please help us spread the word to any deeper-chested singers you may know!
Explore the choral courses on the programme via our website, dartington.org/summerschool, and call our friendly team to book 10am - 4pm, Monday - Friday: 01803 847080 ☎
#dartingtonmusic
A brilliant opportunity just opened up for advanced singers who'd like to work with renowned Soprano, Juliet Fraser: we have one spot still available on our Vocal Masterclass in Week Four of this year's Summer School, 13 - 20 August! You'll explore how to tackle a brand-new score, how to integrate extended vocal techniques, how to commission a new work, and more.
If this is of interest, make sure you contact the Summer School team ASAP via email: summerschool@dartington.org or phone (10am - 4pm, Monday - Friday): 01803 847080
Bursaries available, so let us know if finances are a potential barrier!
We are very sad to hear of the death of Harrison Birtwistle. Harry first came to Dartington in 1957 as a student in the composition class while Igor Stravinsky was in attendance, studying alongside many other remarkable students such as Peter Maxwell Davies, Alexander Goehr, Hugh Wood, Richard Rodney Bennett and Cornelius Cardew, who would all go on to have influential careers in classical music. We were lucky to welcome Harry back many times throughout the rest of his life to teach composition in the summer school and premier new works. Here are two photos of Harry at Dartington.
The one in colour was taken by Kate Mount during the Dartington Summer School in 2019 with then artistic Joanna MacGregor, well known for her performances of Birtwistle's music and her rendition of his Clocks recorded in the Great Hall here. The other photo in black white was taken by Charles Davis and shows Birtwistle (right) in the Courtyard during the Summer School in 1972. The figure facing the camera (left) is the American composer Morton Feldman.
#classicalmusic #birtwistle #music #composer #obituary #summerschool #dartington
Would you like to support our work at the Summer School, make friends, develop your career in the Arts and events, and attend Summer School courses and concerts with generous discounts? We'd love for you to join our team as a volunteer!
There are several positions you can apply for (swipe for details), and the deadline for applications is 22 April. Find out more via: dartington.org/summerschool/volunteers
Do share this with anyone you think might be interested!
#dartingtonmusic
Composer, teacher and key figure in the history of Dartington's Summer School, Imogen Holst (pictured centre left) was born on this day in 1907. She became a well-known composer in her own right and her work is still internationally performed. At Dartington Imogen is best remembered as a vital, inspired teacher and a great champion of the amateur arts as well as a professional musician. Here she is outside the Great Hall at Dartington in 1959 with B. Edwards, John Edwards (far left) and Dorothy Elmhirst (far right). Photo credit: Catharine Scudamore, courtesy of the Dartington International Summer School Foundation.
#holst #summerschool #archive #classicalmusic #dartington #musichistory
If you are staying off-site or live locally here in Devon, you can sign up for just one course for a week this summer with a Single Course Pass for Dartington's Music Summer School & Festival. Tickets are now available - explore what's on via dartington.org/summerschool and call the Summer School Office on 01803 847080 to book during office hours!
#dartingtonmusic