¡TONE UP! is a new series of choral courses led by composer and conductor and William Byrd Fellow, Antony Pitts, the founder of TONUS PEREGRINUS and former Artistic Director of The Song Company, and his colleagues. These courses are aimed at anyone interested in toning up their ensemble-singing skills, covering a range of musical abilities and experience, from student and community singers to experienced professionals. Throughout 2023 we are commemorating the 400th anniversary of William Byrd with his magnificent vocal polyphony at the centre of our exploration of early manuscripts and modern editions.
After two very successful ¡TONE UP!s in Sydney, we are delighted to announce the dates of our first weekend ¡TONE UP! in Melbourne and first residential ¡TONE UP! in NSW:
- FRI 15 – SUN 17 SEP 2023 at St Paul's Cathedral, Melbourne (non-residential)
- MON 4 – FRI 8 DEC 2023 (4 nights) at The Old Monastery, Stroud (residential)
Click here to apply for either course, and/or to register interest in future courses
ST PAUL'S CATHEDRAL, MELBOURNE
Bringing together interested professional and experienced amateur singers to explore ensemble singing in depth, we are delighted to be providing the choral music at the Sunday morning Eucharist and 4pm Evensong at the Cathedral. Our focus is the music of William Byrd and his predecessors and successors, in Byrd's 400th anniversary year.
- Sing beautiful Renaissance polyphony in Melbourne's landmark Anglican Cathedral
- Hone your ensemble-singing skills with like-minded musicians
- Work with international conductor and composer Antony Pitts and the Cathedral's Leading Musician, Emma Warburton
Full price: $260
Students/Consort* price: $195
Price includes access to all music either digitally or in print.
Apply today
THE OLD MONASTERY, STROUD (RESIDENTIAL)
In the 400th anniversary year of the death of pre-eminent Renaissance musician William Byrd, encounter anew his sublime music and the music of those who influenced him, and his contemporaries and successors in the polyphonic tradition. The Old Monastery was built in 1980 by the Sisters of St Clare. Sister Angela was a well-known sculptress in her earlier years, and for her the building of the monastery was a work of sculpture: “We built a mudbrick monastery and people come to it and pick up something that is imparted to them from the place... It’s got nothing to do with bricks and mortar... it was made from the earth... this place will live on whatever happens because love formed it...”
- Learn to read Renaissance polyphony from the original notation in authentic setting around a table.
- Make musical friends on this residential choral course in the unique and beautiful surroundings of The Old Monastery, Stroud, NSW (download brochure).
- The number of musical participants will be minimum 10 and maximum 20. Dinners are a communal part of the experience and will also include music-making. Culinary companions interested in taking charge of the catering activities (expected to be a communal affair) also welcome (maximum 3).
Full price: $970
Students/Consort* price: $840
Culinary companion price: $520
Price includes rustic accommodation (BYO sheets, pillowslips, towels, toiletries), breakfast & lunch cold buffet, communal dinner, all music scores and ensemble tuition.
Bursaries and scholarships may be available towards the musical costs – please indicate your interest on the application form.
* The consort discount applies when at least four members of one consort or choir attend the same course.
Apply today
Click here to apply for either course, and/or to register interest in future courses
At every ¡TONE UP!, you will have the opportunity to:
- Enhance your ensemble-singing skills, especially intonation, rhythm, and text
- Expand your singing network and make new musical friends
- Develop confidence singing alongside experienced musicians
- Gain historical insight into the music of the Renaissance
- Explore the music of the Renaissance from the original notation
- Get the composer perspective on music for voices
- Perform newly learnt repertoire in front of an audience on the final day
Knowledge will be gained in tutti and breakout small ensemble sessions, with some additional options for individual mentoring and coaching. Antony and his colleagues will share their experience conducting, singing, and composing/editing a wide range of a cappella repertoire from the last thousand years.
