Spanish Choral Masterpieces
SALAMANCA, SPAIN
SUNDAY 23 – SATURDAY 29 AUGUST 2026
“A rare opportunity to experience a masterclass of singing in a holiday setting, with like-minded people” Jane, England
OVERVIEW
Singers Abroad launches its first ever course in Spain, based in the beautiful historic university city of Salamanca in northwest Spain, in the autonomous community of Castille and León. The ancient sandstone-coloured buildings of this quintessential Spanish Renaissance city are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Participants stay in the charming 4-star Hotel NH Collection Salamanca Palacio de Castellanos, centrally located from the city’s two magnificent Cathedrals and exquisite Plaza Mayor.
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The course includes five days of singing under the direction of Graham Ross leading to a Friday evening performance in Salamanca’s Old Cathedral, a magnificent 12th-century Romanesque masterpiece. The week also includes a visit to the medieval World Heritage walled city of Ávila, the birthplace of Tomás Luis de Victoria whose magnificent music forms part of the course repertoire.
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For this course Graham Ross has assembled a beautiful and varied programme of Spanish Choral Masterpieces: Christobal de Morales’ O magnum mysterium, Juan Gutiérrez de Padilla’s Stabat Mater, the well-known villancico Riu, riu, chiu, Alonso Lobo’s exquisite motet Versa est in luctum, written for the funeral of Phillip II of Spain, Surge, propera amica mea by Sebastián de Vivanco (who lived in both Ávila and Salamanca), and Pablo Casals O vos omnes, interspersed with movements from Victoria’s Requiem, his 1605 masterpiece. Plus maybe one or two other pieces!
The course comprises a mix of serious singing and holiday, with time off to wander through Salamanca’s ancient streets, explore the many historic monuments, or simply enjoy some tapas and sangría in the Plaza Mayor. Rehearsals take place in an air-conditioned room in the Hotel. Generous daily breakfasts, an opening drinks reception, a group lunch and five excellent three-course group dinners with wine are all provided during the course. The hotel’s terrace overlooking the Convent of San Sebastian is an exquisite place for a post-dinner nightcap!
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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 Sunday evening, when we meet for a welcome drinks reception and dinner, to the closing performance and dinner on Friday evening, with participants departing Saturday morning. Concert dress is white shirts/blouses with long black trousers/skirts. Participants should bring their own black folders for the concert. Non-singing partners are welcome to join us, subject to availability, at a discounted price. Participants may wish to extend their time in Spain with holidays in nearby Zamora, Burgos, or Madrid.
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.
BOOKINGS
Booking is now open for our summer course ‘Spanish choral masterpieces’ in Salamanca, Spain, from 23–29 August 2026. We accept applications of all voice parts on a first-come first-served basis.
PRICINGS
The Singers Abroad course costs £1395 per person sharing a room. There is a single-occupancy supplement of £210. Non-singing partners sharing singers’ rooms are welcome, subject to availability, and pay a reduced fee of £1295. A deposit of £250 per person is required when booking, which is non-refundable after the deadline of 1 May 2026. The full balance is required by 1 July 2026.
What is provided in the cost?
The course includes:
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six nights of bed & breakfast accommodation at the Hotel NH Collection Salamanca Palacio de Castellanos
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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 closing performance in the Old Cathedral of Salamanca
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a visit to the medieval walled city of Ávila (with transfers provided)
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a group lunch and five group dinners with wine
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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 Salamanca
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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 Ltd is a company committed to customer satisfaction and consumer financial protection. We are therefore pleased to confirm to you that, in accordance with our obligations under The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 No.684, we have purchased Travel Regulation Insolvency Protection Insurance in our name for your benefit. This insurance policy has been arranged by Towergate Travel with AXA Insurance UK plc (the insurer). Please contact us if you require a copy of the policy wording.
CONDUCTOR & COURSE LEADER
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, Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw, 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. He studied music at Clare College, Cambridge and conducting at the Royal College of Music, London.
OUTLINE SCHEDULE
Sunday 23 August 2026
Check-in from 3pm onwards at
Hotel NH Collection Salamanca Palacio de Castellanos
Welcome evening drinks reception
Three-course dinner together at hotel
Monday 24 August 2026
Morning rehearsal
Afternoon rehearsal
Three-course dinner together in Salamanca
Tuesday 25 August 2026
Morning rehearsal
Free time in Salamanca
Afternoon rehearsal
Three-course group dinner at hotel
Wednesday 26 August 2026
Morning rehearsal
Free time in Salamanca
Afternoon rehearsal
Three-course group dinner in Salamanca
Thursday 27 August 2026
Morning rehearsal
Lunch together at hotel
Afternoon and early evening visit to Ávila
Friday 28 August 2026
Free morning
Afternoon rehearsal at Salamanca Old Cathedral
Evening performance at Salamanca Old Cathedral
Three-course dinner together at hotel
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Saturday 29 August 2026
Participants depart (check-out by 11am)
“This was the trip of a lifetime! I loved learning, singing and experiencing Italy with the wonderful folks at Singers Abroad” Lisa, Canada
TRAVEL
Travel to and from Salamanca 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: nearby airports are Vallaloid and Madrid (which serves more international destinations). There are train and bus connections to Salamanca which is approximately 2–2.5 hours away, depending on routing. Car hire is also available at all airports for more direct access.
By train: trains to Salamanca are available from central Vallaloid or Madrid, the latter usually involving one or two connections.
By car: the hotel offers private car parking for a fee, or there is street parking nearby.​​
REPERTOIRE
For this course Graham Ross has assembled a beautiful and varied programme of Spanish Choral Masterpieces: Christobal de Morales’ O magnum mysterium, Juan Gutiérrez de Padilla’s Stabat Mater, the well-known villancico Riu, riu, chiu, Alonso Lobo’s exquisite motet Versa est in luctum, written for the funeral of Phillip II of Spain, Surge, propera amica mea by Sebastián de Vivanco (who lived in both Ávila and Salamanca), and Pablo Casals O vos omnes, interspersed with movements from Victoria’s Requiem, his 1605 masterpiece. Plus maybe one or two other pieces!