Kate O'Connell
Vocal tuition for health, wellbeing, confidence and performance technique
Fully catered Singing Workshop/Holiday on a wonderful Hebridean Island
with BILL HENDERSON & KATE O'CONNELL
experienced teachers & leaders of The Forres Big Choir
@ Glebe Barn Hostel, Isle of Eigg
This workshop/holiday is open to singers of all levels, and we will suit our repertoire to the ability of the group. Teaching will be mostly by ear so you do not have to read music. We sing sacred and secular harmony songs from around the world - from African and Gospel to Gaelic and Welsh, Beach Boys and Beatles.
Kate particularly loves songs which express our relationship to the natural world, but may also throw in some pop or gospel or Balkan harmonies. This year she would like to focus more on exploring the power of our natural voice and in creative vocal improvisation, a technique supported by rhythm and harmony that she has developed over years of teaching at the Unicorn Natural Voice Camps.
Bill will no doubt share some Georgian favourites as well as at least one of his arrangements of traditional Scots songs, a current passion. Anything else depends on what he is inspired by at the time.
“Inspirational songs from around the World” remains a useful strap line. Both Kate and Bill are interested in exploring the potential of the voice for healing on a personal and social level.
Every year we delight in making closer contact with the islanders, many of whom we now consider to be our friends. We feel very warmly welcomed back as we step off the ferry. Each year we make space for at least one evening of singing with whoever from the island wants to join us. Last year two of the islanders also sang with us for most of the duration of the workshop. Delightful.
The rough daily schedule will include a morning and evening singing session with plenty of time for exploring/relaxing in the afternoon.
Food: As usual the food will be vegetarian wholefood and we have two excellent, exotic cooks to cater for
you. You will eat well especially if you love home baking!! Participants will be asked to sign a rota to help
with washing & clear-ups and some food preparation. (We can cater for most special diets but we do need
advance warning! Please indicate any special dietary requirements and/or allergies.) There is a
range of tea, herb teas, coffee and coffee-alternative; but if you have a special/unusual favourite, it's
best to bring your personal supply! We try to order as much of our supplies from the island shop, to
support the Eigg community, and we would encourage you to visit the shop during your stay: chocolate,
wine, treats and other goodies are all stocked.
Travel: by public transport or car to Mallaig, from where we catch a ferry to Eigg. Please remember that
you will leave your car at Mallaig (free parking). There is only one ferry at approx. 2pm on Saturday, so
participants usually meet each other at Mallaig and travel together. The ferry takes approx. 1 hour.
Mallaig is a nice place to spend a night if you need to break your journey. We will meet you off the ferry
on Eigg. The return ferry departs on Thursday at lunchtime. If you want to stay on in the hostel this
might also be possible depending on availability.
Cost: £395 - £425 on a sliding scale depending on your income. This includes
accommodation, all food and teaching but not travel to Eigg. There are a few bursary places available at
£365. We do our best to keep prices at the lowest possible level and we invite you to tune in to what you
would like to pay, given that if you are able to pay above the break even price of £395 you will
enable someone to have a bursary place. Bursaries will be awarded only as funds allow. If you wish to
ask for one, please apply when you send in your deposit.
> Info/Booking Form (PDF)
> Contact me
> More about Glebe Barn Hostel > www.glebebarn.co.uk
> More about the Isle of Eigg > www.isleofeigg.org
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