Roar Empower: Summer Residentials
ROAR EMPOWER: open to all secondary-age choirs and individual singers, our annual summer residential courses offer up to 250 students the chance to work with greater focus. They are built around one of the large scale works of the choral repertoire, performed at the end of the course. Previous works have included Verdi’s Requiem, Mendelssohn’s Elijah, Elgar’s Dream of Gerontius, and Britten’s War Requiem. Paul McCreesh, Artistic Director and Charles MacDougall and Emily Dickens, Creative Directors, lead rehearsals throughout the week. Our top level team of vocal coaches also work with the young singers in sectional rehearsals, musicianship workshops, small group singing, individual coaching and advanced vocal performance masterclasses. The courses are a mixture of intense hard work and lively social activities, supported by an excellent pastoral team.
Gabrieli Roar Residential Summer Course 2025
Dates: 18th–23rd July 2025
Location: Gresham’s School, Norfolk
Performance: Ely Cathedral, alongside the renowned Gabrieli orchestra, under the direction of Paul McCreesh
Our 2025 residential summer course centres on Haydn’s The Seasons—an extraordinary masterpiece which will be brought to life with the energy and talent of young singers. Our week-long residential course is open to teenagers aged 14–18 (and younger singers with experience) from schools, youth choirs, church or cathedral choirs, and community groups. Together, you’ll develop skills, forge new friendships, and create a truly unforgettable performance experience.
What You Can Expect:
- Inspiring Learning Opportunities:
- Learn from some of the UK’s finest vocal coaches through workshops, masterclasses, and 1:1 singing lessons.
- Enhance your musicianship and build confidence while preparing for an ambitious performance.
- A Cappella Exploration:
- Taught by Creative Directors Charles MacDougall and Emily Dickens, explore a wide variety of vocal styles in addition to The Seasons.
- Exciting Social Activities:
- Evening events, including the ever-popular Roar Talent Show, led by our dedicated Gabrieli Roar pastoral staff.
Who Should Join?
This course is designed for singers who can confidently sing in parts, with some prior experience in choral singing. Less-experienced groups are welcome too – we’re happy to support you with preparation and can even arrange coaching sessions before the course.
Want to join us as an Individual?
If you can’t attend with your choir, then don’t be afraid to still sign up. From day one, you’ll be part of a friendly, inclusive community of singers. Many participants come alone and leave with lifelong friends. Our experienced team is here to help you feel at home, whether it’s your first residential course or you’re a seasoned performer.
Support our residential course and make a difference
Gabrieli Roar is committed to making exceptional musical opportunities accessible to everyone. Our residential summer course, with its transformative learning and unforgettable performances, is no exception.
The true cost of the course is £1125 per participant, reflecting the high-quality tuition, facilities, and experiences we provide. However, to ensure affordability, we’ve worked tirelessly to keep the participation fee at just £275 per person, despite rising costs.
How You Can Help
If you’re in a position to contribute more, we would be deeply grateful. Every additional pound helps:
- Subsidise Places: Enable talented young singers from less privileged backgrounds to join the course.
- Sustain Accessibility: Help us continue offering transformative opportunities to as many young people as possible.
Your generosity will directly impact the lives of these aspiring musicians, opening doors to experiences they might not otherwise have.
Have a listen to Gabrieli’s own recording of Haydn’s The Seasons for a bit of inspiration!