Cornwall Choir in a Week was a joyous week at Falmouth University led by Pip Wright (Choir leader from West Cornwall) and Jane Harris, Director of Songways, with singers from across the UK, Ireland, Austria, France and California. Choir in a Week featured a rich variety of music including harmony songs celebrating the beauty and power of the natural world, songs from Cornwall’s rich mining heritage, including links with South Africa and America, original compositions by Pip and Jane, and songs led with double fiddles. The course was based at the Academy of Music and Theatre Arts (AMATA) with professional studio facilities set in the delightful Penryn Campus.
Comments from singers:
“One of the best organised and most enjoyable courses I have ever been on”
“An amazing team at Penryn together with two brilliant choir leaders! A perfect few days singing – I’ll be back next year!”
“Wonderful singing, teaching, and organisation”
“Loved the variety of songs, meeting new people, structure of the course and the ‘day out’ – all brilliant”
“Loved singing and socialising with new people – with amazing results”
On the Thursday we visited Geevor Tin Mine, a stunning World Heritage site in the dramatic scenery of the North Atlantic Tin Coast. We were welcomed and led around the site by local folk musicians and singers who are members of the Geevor community – a memorable experience with Pip, Jane and Polly from AMATA playing fiddles too. We sang at five locations within the mine buildings – a unique way to connect with the rich heritage. We also sang in the beautiful acoustics of St Just Miners’ Chapel, a cornerstone of the St Just community, originally built for the benefit of the local tin and copper mining families in 1833.
At AMATA, we enjoyed fascinating immersive singing experiences using spatial audio in Falmouth University’s new immersive audio system space and a Cornish Nos Lowen (literally Happy Night – a Cornish Ceilidh) with a chance to dance, play, and/or listen to live music. The memorable week ended with a studio recording session at AMATA to create a lasting memory of the songs for singers to access following the course.
Comments from singers:
“There was a great balance of activities – learning in the studio, social time (the dancing was so great), singing in the chapel and the recording session on the final morning”
“The teaching was inclusive and supportive, with an excellent combination of technique and musicality / interpretation”
“I have attended several of Pip and Jane’s courses and return to them because they complement each other’s styles, teach clearly and with great patience, and choose great songs with much variety”
“Pip and Jane are individually great teachers and songwriters, and an amazing team – having two fiddlers as well as being great conductors is an added treat!”
“Exactly the right level of challenge… I learned so much from you both, about warmups, singing with meaning and feeling, being part of the whole group, bringing in the ancestors. You both convey and encourage enjoyment, expression, bravery, going beyond.”
“We have been on several courses with Pip and Jane and have high praise for how well they complement one another & support the participants”
“Just fantastic”
The next Choir in a Week will take place from Monday 12 July to Friday 16 July 2027 at Falmouth University led by Pip and Jane.
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