FLORENCE

25.07.24 - 29.07.24

Our sell-out flagship Florence course returns again this year, singing an inspiring programme in some of the finest venues in the world. Complete with our professional part leaders, this course is musically enriching and the only course in Italy, based in the city centre, with performance opportunities each day.

Accommodation in a 4 star city centre hotel and evening meals at acclaimed locally recommended restaurants, are included in the price. This promises to be the highlight of summer for any choral lover. 

This year, we are thrilled to announce that we will be returning to perform at several prestigious venues, including The Cathedral and San Miniato. Additionally, we have arranged a special excursion to Rome, where we will have the immense honor of singing at St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. This promises to be an unforgettable experience, allowing us to showcase our talents in some of the most historically and culturally significant locations in the world.

“I cannot recommend the Florence experience highly enough! Stunning churches; inspiring music and leadership. To have the opportunities to sing in the Dumo, St. Miniato and St. Croce places of worship .. leave me speechless. And a day outing to Alezzo was a complete joy! Huge thanks to everyone who made this happen! What about you who read this - might it be something that could be such a joy to you too?.”

— Florence 2023 Participant

Repertoire

This years repertoire spans a range of styles and periods, showcasing the diversity and richness of choral and classical music. From Renaissance polyphony to contemporary compositions, these works highlight the evolution of liturgical music and its capacity to convey deep emotions and spiritual reflections.

Falling in Love with you

Stanford in B flat - Magnificat

Stanford in B flat - Nunc

Crossing the Bar - Arbo

God so loved the World - Chilcott

Super Flumina Babylonis - Palestrina

Solus ad victimam - Leighton

Wash me Throughly - Wesley

Ubi Caritas - Durufle

Ave Maria - Duggan

Cantate Domino - Pitoni

Monterverdi - Mass for 4 voices

Gloria, Sanctus, Agnus Dei

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • FISP believes in immersing ourselves within the culture of a city. We will be staying at the 4 star Hotel de La Ville, a 5-minute walk from the Cathedral and a 3-minute taxi drive from the railway station. This luxurious hotel, refurbished recently during the lockdown, offers an elegant ambience. Its staff are renowned for their hospitality, being happy to provide insights into the local Florentine life. There is a bar with various drinks and cocktails in the evening, complete with a beautiful grand piano!

    Our course prioritises your time in Florence and combines the perfect mix of high-quality choral singing whilst enjoying the perks of being a tourist rather than endless coach journeys. A musically fulfilling course shouldn't have to be expensive and so we have tried to keep this course affordable. The rooms are spacious, with marble ensuite bathrooms and a little welcome pack. Non singing guests are very much welcome to spend the week with us, please get in touch!

    ​Breakfast will be served each morning in the hotel, but following recommendations from locals, we have decided to sample local restaurants for our evening meals. 

    “...The four star hotel, with a scrumptious breakfast each day, was lovely, and the air con an absolute blessing in the August heat. The opportunity for free appetizers during happy hour, and a 20% off drinks voucher, were welcome, too!”

    — Florence 2022 Participant

  • As we anticipate people coming from around Europe, travel is not included in the course fee. The nearest international airports are Florence, Pisa and Bologna. We recommend flying to Pisa or Bologna and catching the train to Florence. This is the easiest and most cost-effective way of travelling. Google flights estimate that an average return flight (London- Bologna) in August is between £54 - £120. The train is roughly 30€, and it is quite often easier than flying direct to Florence!

    • Accommodation in a four star city centre hotel

    • Tuition

    • Sheet music

    • Evening meals in locally recommended restaurants

    • Singing skills day including a conducting masterclass

  • Participants should have good sight-reading ability and are advised to prepare the music beforehand. However, nobody is expected to be note-perfect on the first day. Participants with a lower sight-reading ability are encouraged to study the music beforehand using our excellent resources and listen to the music on Spotify.

    We will post all music to you eight weeks in advance, and for those wishing to make a head start, we can arrange to get these out to you sooner. The repertoire list is also available on our website.

For any further enquiries, please do not hesitate to contact us via the form below.

Contact us.