Austria
Kloster Pernegg, Geras
We are housed in Kloster Pernegg, a monastery from 1582-1783, now restored as a health centre and hotel offering Three-Star accommodation. It lies in the 'Waldviertel', a wooded area on the border between Austria and the Czech republic (a line from Vienna to Prague goes almost exactly through the area.)
Vienna Neustadt
In the city which saw the birth and the burial of Emperor Maximilian our course is housed in the 'Neukloster' which was old in the Renaissance. A chance to sing in the chapel of the Burg, where max lies beneath the atar, or in the church of the Neukloster where Eleanor of Portugal is buried (and where Mozart's Requiem had its first performance) add to the attractions of courses here.
Belgium
Alden Biesen
A large complex of renaissance buildings, formerly home of the Teutonic Order, provides the setting for the course in Alden biesen, which is also home to an early music day of the Flanders festival.
Cyprus
Paphos
Up to now only once used, the International School in Paphos is available only during the hot summer months, but provides an attractive venue for an early music course.
Denmark
Vejner
Schloss Engelsholm is home to a long-established Danish early music course with a large and ipressive team of tutors. Mainly for instrumentalists and solo singers, the course also provides opportunity for chamber choir and large tutti items.
France
Abbaye St. Martin de Mondaye, Bayeux
The Abbaye de St. Martin is a Praemonstratensian monastery with some 40 monks under an Abbot. About half the monks work in the monastery, while others have work in parishes, hospitals and prisons in the region. Their daily pattern of work and prayer provide the always accessible background for the Summer Academy. The excellent new Hotellerie provides superb accommodation in single and twin rooms all with private facilities. The cuisine of the Abbey is excellent. The rural setting, as well as the peaceful but purposeful life of the monks cannot but encourage a week of peace, of finding oneself, and at the same time of corporate work. There are ample opportunities for participation in a range of religious services, but this is (apart from those where the course choir sings) optional.
Boulogne-sur-Mer
Behind the tourist areas of this Channel fishing town lies the Haute Ville, the elevated old town with its cobbled roads and unexpected shops and restaurants, and with the imposing Cathedral of Notre Dame where we sing the Sunday mass.
Mont Ste Odile, Strasbourg
Mont Ste Odile is a famous pilgrim monastery near Colmar with hotel rooms and excellent Alsatian cuisine. The monastery was founded in the 7th century by Odilia, the daughter of the pagan Count Eticho. Its history is dogged by war: rebuilt by Barbarossa in 1150 it remained home to an order of nuns until the religious wars of the 16th century, when they finally left. The bishop of Strasbourg offered the site to Premonstratensian monks who had a Priory nearby, and they developed the monastery until the French Revolution, when they were forced out. The following 60 years saw the premises abandoned and gutted. In 1853 the buildoing was bought and presented to the Bishop
Germany
Akademie Klausenhof, Dingden, near Wesel
Akademie Klausenhof is one of the largest educational establishments in Germany. Set in wooded grounds near the Dutch-German border it offers ideal accommodation for our course, including the Bruder Klaus (St Nikolaus von Flüe) Chapel where we have the opportunity to sing mass.
Alt-Mariendorf, Berlin
Our rehearsals took place in the delightful and ancient parish church of Alt-Mariendorf in the southern part of Berlin. The concert was sometimes there, sometimes in the larger Martin-Luther-Memorial Church
Aschau
A new venue for 2000. The course took place in Pater Rupert Mayer Haus in Aschau, near the Chiemsee, off the Munich-Salzburg motorway. The house offers excellent modern accommodation in a picturesque setting surrounded by woods and the outreaches of the Alps. Bicycle hire brings a great deal of wonderful countryside and the officially recognised air of this Luftkurort, within reach.
Christuskirche, Karlsruhe
A new town built for the Grand Duke at the end of the 18th century, Karlsruhe lies directly on the Rhine, only some 20 minutes from France and at the northern tip of the Black Forest. The Christuskirche lies at the Western end of the main axial street, the Kaiserstrasse
Erdweg, near Dachau
In the village of Erdweg on the hill called the Petersberg stands the tiny basilica from which it takes its name. The adjoining seminar house provided the home for our weekend course, and we had the chance to sing in the exquisite little church.
Froebel-Seminar, Kassel
The Froebel Seminar is an excellent course centre (non-resident) on the edge of the extensive park around Schloss Wilhelmshöhe. The course has rehearsal space and tea breaks here, and lunch is taken in enarby restaurants.
Grötzingen, near Karlsruhe
The 1000-year old vilage of Grötzingen, much older than Karlsruhe itself, was previously the venue for the courses 'Early Music in Baden'. The ancient Dorfkirche, with its twisted spire, provided a sympathetic venue for early music, with a comfortable Gemeindehaus where reheartsals and coffee breaks take place.
Kirche zu Alt-Rahlstedt, Hamburg
One of the oldest churches in Hamburg, first mentioned in 1245 (and the church where Michael and Claudia Procter were married rather more recently) is a favourite venue for north German and British singers.
Lutherkirche, Karlsruhe
The new home for our Karlsruhe courses, the Luther church is on the main East-West road, the B10 (Durlacher Allee) and easy to reach by car or tram.
Marktoberdorf
One of three Music Centres in Bavaria, providing an outstanding setting for a music course, within reach of the Alps and the highest point in Germany - and the castles of 'Mad king Ludwig'. The Schloss has a beautiful chapel for performance.
Passau
The Easter Academy of the Institut für Kunst, Musik & Sprachen was founded in Assisi in 1996 and for two years provided a rare opportunity for painters and singers to work together in the idyllic surroundings of the Villa Santa Tecla, in the hills immediately outside the historic city. Since the earthquakes of 1998 the Villa has been occupied by the Bishop and other priests whose homes were damaged, and the Academy spent one year without a home. In 1999 a new temporary venue for the choral element of the Academy was found, in the different but very beautiful city of Passau, the 'city of three rivers' (the Danube, Inn and Ilz) on the heavily wooded borders of Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic. In 2000 the Academy returns for the second time to the welcoming centre 'Haus der Jugend' perched above the old town behind the imposing fortress the 'Veste Oberhaus', from where a challenging footpath, or a comfortable shuttle bus, brings the town within reach.
Private course
A course privately arranged by a group of singers. No 'public' applications - sorry!
Stadtkirche, Karlsruhe
The great church in the Marktplatz, destroyed like much of Karlsruhe in the War and splendidly rebuilt, with a magnificent acoustic.
Still to be settled, Karlsruhe
We are still seeking a sutable church in or near Karlsruhe for our next weekend course. Repertoire, depending on balance, possibly Croce Sonetti Poenitenziali.
Weichs'scher Hof, Arnsberg
Beautifully restored, the Weichs'scher Hof in Arnsberg is home to the new Musikakademie where many courses, especially vocal, are now being established.
Italy
Assisi
The extraordinary city of St Francis and the preparations for the annual ceremonies of Good Friday and Easter gave the Easter Academy its very special atmosphere.
Fondazione Levi, Venezia
Palazzo Giustinian Lolin lies on the Canal Grande opposite the Accademie. Home to the musical foundation the Fondazione Levi, it offers extremely good accommodation and an excellent rehearsal hall right in the middle of Venice.
Latvia
Riga
A small but flourishing Early Music Centre in Riga, with a strong commitment to choral singing (itself very strong in Latvia), set up in 1887 a new international summer school with Russian and other participation and a stunning venue for performances.
United Kingdom
Beauchamp House, Churcham, Glos
Beauchamp House is a converted farm in the countryside outside Gloucester. It provides a venue chiefly for young musicians, and once a year for the Early Music Week. Most participants camp, there is some B&B nearby.
Fawley Court, Henley-on-Thames
Fawley Court in Henley-on-Thames is a Wren mansion on the very banks of the Thames, with a unique grinling Gibbons ceiling. The Court is home to the Polish religious order the Marian Fathers. Course accommodation is in the converted buildings of the school which was run here for thiry years after the war. the household and cuisine are very Polish, an added attraction and unexpected in this very English setting.
King's College, Cambridge
Surely one of the most famous and distinctive addresses for choral music in the world, historic King's College is the venue for a new series of events in Cambridge..
Knuston Hall, Irchester
Knuston Hall is one of the Adult Residential Colleges Association houses. Run by Northants CC, it previously offered a warm welcome for our annual Christma gathering,
Maryvale, Guildford
Now sadly sold,Maryvale, near Guildford was an ideal venue for our courses, set in beautiful peaceful countryside.
Old Alresford Place, Winchester
Splendid old house, once the Vicarage, and the home of Mary Sumner who founded the Mothers Union, it is now a Diocesan retreat centre. The house is currently being upgraded to provided en-suite facilities, so the current bedroom standard is not perfect, but the other aspects of the house are so positive that we easily decided to go there. The food is good, the gardens are lovely, and Winchester is nearby. Our Saturday will be relaxed to allow for a visit to Evensong in the Cathedral.
Park Place, Wickham, Fareham, Hants
Park Place Pastoral centre is run by a Community of Franciscan Sisters. Set in beautiful countryside and easily accessible it offers comfrtable modern acommodation, good food and a lovely modern chapel.
Ross-on-Wye
ST. JOSEPH'S RETREAT CENTRE is attached to Courtfield Manor, home of Cardinal Vaughan, and is run by Mill Hill Missionaries. The centre lies off the A40 halfway between Ross and Monmouth. It offers mainly single accommodation and provides an excellent base both for concentrated work and study, and for excursions to Symonds Yat and the Forest of Dean, while the house itself has extensive grounds.
Sarum College, Salisbury
Sarum College, previously the Theological College, is still home to the Southern Theological Education & Training Scheme (STETS). It is an ecumenical centre of Christian learning and spiritual growth offering opportunities for groups or individuals. It has its own bookshop and a theological library. Sarum College is situated in the beautiful surroundings of Salisbury Cathedral's Close in the centre of Salisbury. Car parking is usually available in the College grounds. The rail and bus/coach stations are both just 15 minutes walk away.
St Augustine's Church, Kilburn, London
A magnificent church off the beaten track, St Augustine's attracted attention when several BBC Proms were broadcast from there. The Rector provides a warm welcome each year for our liturgical course.
St Giles Church, Cambridge
The little-known church of St Giles used to provide a warm welcome and a splendid acoustic for our annual liturgical performance
St Mary Le Strand, London
'A compact Queen Anne church by Gibbs, which sits somewhat like a wedding cake in the middle of the Strand.'
Trinity College, Cambridge
The history of Trinity goes back to the reign of Henry VIII and most of its major buildings date from the 16th and 17th centuries. The beauty and size of Trinity's courts attract visitors from all over the world, but the College is also a thriving, modern community. Trinity College was founded by Henry VIII in 1546, combining Michaelhouse and King's Hall. Michaelhouse had existed since 1324; King's Hall had been established by Edward II in 1317 and refounded by Edward III in 1337. Trinity's flag, flown on special occasions, has as its design the royal standard of Edward III.
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