“If you love both singing and travel, don’t miss out on this experience – it’s unforgettable” Dick, Canada
OVERVIEW
Singers Abroad launches its first ever course in France! Based in the beautiful Côte-d’Or region of Burgundy in the old medieval town of Saulieu, participants will stay in the comfortable 17th century Hostellerie de la Tour d’Auxois - a charming 3-star hotel with an outdoor pool and on-site restaurant, centrally located just 5 minutes walk from the Saint-Andoche Basilica where we perform at the end of the week.
The course includes five days of singing under the direction of Graham Ross leading to a Sunday evening concert in the beautiful 12th-century Romanesque Basilica in Saulieu, with visits during the week to some of Burgundy’s greatest nearby treasures: the hilltop village and fortified castle of Châteauneuf – listed as one of the ‘Most Beautiful Villages in France’, the UNESCO World Heritage site of Vézelay with its 12th century Abbey, and the ancient bustling town of Beaune, known the world over as the wine capital of Burgundy.
For this course Graham Ross has assembled a beautiful and varied programme of English and French choral masterpieces across the centuries, Chansons and Swansongs. Stanford’s Three Latin Motets and Duruflé’s Quatre Motets sur des themes grégoriens sit alongside motets by Purcell, Philippe de Monte, Jacotin and Gibbons, as well as Rheinberger’s exquisite Abendlied.
The course comprises a mix of serious singing and holiday, with time off to wander to Saulieu’s medieval streets, enjoy a coffee (or glass of wine!) in the cobbled squares, or take a dip in the pool. Rehearsals take place on site. Daily breakfasts, an opening drinks reception, two group lunches and four excellent three-course group dinners with wine are all provided during the course. For any participants who really want to splash out, the famous La Côte d’Or restaurant, with its two Michelin stars, is located directly opposite the hotel for a truly gastronomic experience!
WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?
The Singers Abroad course is for those who love to sing together. Participants should have a good level of choral singing experience and sight-reading skills, and have done some private preparation of the repertoire before the course begins. Singers of all ages can apply, either as individuals or with others.
The course runs from Tuesday evening, when we meet for a welcome reception and dinner, to the closing concert on Sunday evening, with departure from the hotel on the Monday morning. Concert dress is white shirts/blouses with long black trousers/skirts. Participants should bring their own black folders for the performances. Non-singing partners are welcome to join us, subject to availability, at a discounted price. Should participants wish to extend their stay in Saulieu, Singers Abroad can arrange for extra nights’ accommodation in the hotel on the Monday evenings at an extra cost, subject to availability.
Participants should bring their own copies of the repertoire: details of recommended editions and a link to scores that can be downloaded are circulated to participants after bookings have been confirmed.
“Chamber singing with expert and friendly instruction in a setting that is nothing short of idyllic” George, England
BOOKINGS
Booking is now open for our summer course in Saulieu, Burgundy from 2–8 September 2025. We accept applications of all voice parts on a first-come first-served basis.
PRICINGS
The Singers Abroad course costs £1295 per person sharing a twin ensuite room. There is a single-occupancy supplement of £34 per night for single ensuite rooms. Non-singing partners sharing singers’ rooms are welcome, subject to availability, and pay a reduced fee of £1195. A deposit of £250 per person is required when booking, which is non-refundable after the deadline of 1 May 2025. The full balance is required by 1 July 2025.
What is provided in the cost?
The course includes:
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six nights of bed & breakfast ensuite accommodation at the three-star Hostellerie de la Tour d’Auxois
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a welcome reception on the opening night
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musical tuition (in English) under the direction of Graham Ross
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a Mass and Concert in the 12th Basilique Saint-Andoche
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two group lunches and four group dinners with wine
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visits to Châtaeuneuf, the UNESCO World Heritage site of Vézelay, and Beaune, the wine capital of the Côte d’Or.
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great music making and new friendships!
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What is not provided in the cost?
The course does not include:
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transportation to/from Saulieu
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purchase of music
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health/travel insurance: we recommend that all singers take out their own holiday and cancellation cover
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​Insurance
Singers Abroad Limited is a company committed to customer satisfaction and consumer financial protection.We are therefore pleased to announce that, at no extra cost to you, and in accordance with the current “The Package Travel, Package Tours Regulations” all passengers booking with Singers Abroad Limited are fully insured for the initial deposit, and subsequently the balance of monies paid as detailed in your booking confirmation form. The policy will also include repatriation if required, arising from the cancellation or curtailment of your travel arrangements due to the insolvency of Singers Abroad Limited. This Policy is issued by Evolution Insurance Company Limited which is registered in Gibraltar No. 88737 with a registered office at 5/5 Crutchett’s Ramp, Gibraltar, GX11 1AA. Evolution Insurance Company Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Commission in Gibraltar and authorised and subject to limited regulation by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK. Details about the extent of our authorisation and regulation by the FCA are available from us on request.
In the unlikely event of Insolvency of Singers Abroad Limited please follow the procedures below: Claims should be submitted in writing within 14 days of the Administration order or Singers Abroad Limited being declared insolvent supported by documented evidence quantifying the value of the claim. Claims should be submitted to: Evolution Insurance Solutions Limited, 53A High Street, Saffron Walden, Essex, CB10 1AA or via email to claims@evo-insurance.com. Policy exclusions: This policy will not cover any monies paid back to you by your Travel Insurance or any losses which are recoverable under another insurance or bond (with the exception of Credit and Debit card). This policy will also not cover any loss sustained by Passenger(s) booked on a flight-inclusive package sold and commencing within the United Kingdom. Policy Period covers bookings made within the dates 1 October 2024–30 September 2025 regardless of date of travel.
COURSE LEADER & CONDUCTOR
Graham Ross has established an exceptional reputation as a sought-after conductor and composer of a very broad range of repertoire. His performances around the world and his extensive discography have earned consistently high international praise. He is Director of Music at Clare College, Cambridge, where he conducts the internationally-renowned Choir, co-founder and Principal Conductor of The Dmitri Ensemble, and in demand as a regular guest conductor around the world. Recent collaborations have included the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, London Philharmonic Orchestra, London Mozart Players, BBC Concert Orchestra, Aalborg Symfoniorkester, Australian Chamber Orchestra, Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra, Danish National Vocal Ensemble, Ars Nova Copenhagen, Norwegian Wind Ensemble and BBC Singers.
In recent seasons his work has taken him to Sydney Opera House, Washington’s Library of Congress, Notre Dame Cathedral and across Europe. At the age of 25 he made his BBC Proms and Glyndebourne debuts, with other opera work taking him to Jerusalem, London, Aldeburgh and Provence. In 2025 he was appointed Musician in Residence for Scott Polar Research Institute, travelling to Antarctica on a composition residency on Royal Navy’s ice-patrol ship HMS Protector. He studied music at Clare College, Cambridge and conducting at the Royal College of Music, London.
OUTLINE SCHEDULE
Tuesday 2 September 2025
Check in from 3.30pm onwards
Welcome evening drinks reception
Three-course group dinner together
Wednesday 3 September 2025
Morning rehearsal
Afternoon rehearsal
Three-course dinner together
Thursday 4 September 2025
Morning rehearsal
Lunch together and visit to Châteauneuf
Afternoon rehearsal
Free evening
Friday 5 September 2025
Morning rehearsal
Afternoon visit to Vézelay
Three-course dinner together
Saturday 6 September 2025
Morning rehearsal
Lunch together
Afternoon and evening visit to Beaune
Sunday 7 September 2025
Free morning
Dress rehearsal at Basilique Saint-Andoche, Saulieu
Evening concert at Basilique Saint-Andoche, Saulieu
Three-course dinner together
Monday 8 September 2025
Participants depart (check out by 11am)
TRAVEL
Travel to and from Saulieu is organised by participants directly, and is not provided in the cost. However, with permission, we are happy to share details of participants’ travel plans amongst the group in advance to facilitate the option of booking group transfers to/from airports.
By air: The nearest commercial airports are Paris, Lyon, and Geneva, with regular flights from most European destinations. Car hire is available at all these airports, and there is free parking at the Hotel and in Saulieu.
By train: The nearest station to Saulieu is Montbard, which is just over one hour from Paris Gare de Lyon by TGV. From Montbard a transfer by bus or taxi to Saulieu takes around 45 minutes.
By road: Saulieu is 2.5 hours’ drive from Paris or Lyon, or 3 hours from Geneva.
REPERTOIRE
For this course Graham Ross has programmed ‘Chansons and Swansongs’: a beautiful and varied programme of English and French choral masterpieces from across the centuries. Some works will be familiar, others will be new discoveries. From Purcell and Gibbons Duruflé and Jacotin, there is a wonderful mix of music old and new.
The performances will include selections from the following:
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‘Chansons and Swansongs’
Purcell Hear my prayer
Purcell Thou knowest, Lord, the secrets of our hearts
Philippe de Monte Bonjour mon coeur
Jacotin A Paris a trois fillettes
Duruflé Quatre Motets sur des thèmes grégoriens
Stanford Three Latin Motets
Gibbons The silver swan
Rheinberger Abendlied
Schutz a movement from Swangengesang
arr. Ross La vie en rose