with
Peter Phillips
Rupert Damerell
and members of the
The Tallis Scholars
The Tallis Scholars Summer Course 2027
Ávila, Spain. Sunday 8 – Saturday 14 August 2027
Te lucis ante terminum
Music for Vespers and Compline in Renaissance Europe
Te lucis ante terminum, the ancient hymn sung at Compline, provides the inspiration for the 2027 Tallis Scholars Summer Course. This year we explore the extraordinary richness of the polyphonic music associated with the evening offices of Vespers and Compline during the sixteenth century.
Our musical journey takes us through three closely connected traditions: England, Spain and the Capilla Flamenca, the Flemish chapel of the Habsburg court.
These were far from isolated musical worlds. The dynastic relationships between the Tudor monarchy and the Habsburg rulers Charles V and Philip II, together with the religious upheavals of the Reformation and Counter-Reformation, created a complex network of political, cultural and musical connections.
Charles V’s court travelled extensively throughout Europe, recruiting singers and choirboys from the Low Countries for his celebrated Capilla Flamenca. His son Philip II continued this tradition, maintaining a predominantly Flemish royal vocal establishment even after settling his court in Madrid. Meanwhile, the great Spanish cathedral composers developed their own distinctive musical tradition, largely outside the royal chapel.
Across the Channel, the changing religious allegiances of the Tudor monarchs profoundly influenced the development of English sacred music. The marriage of Mary Tudor to Philip II brought the two kingdoms into particularly close contact, while the Elizabethan religious settlement created a very different environment for composers such as Thomas Tallis and William Byrd.
Against this fascinating historical background, we will explore settings of the psalms, hymns, canticles and Marian antiphons associated with the evening offices. As always, the repertoire will combine acknowledged masterpieces with outstanding but rarely performed works, offering participants the opportunity to discover music that is seldom encountered in the modern choral repertoire.
The course culminates on Saturday 14 August, the eve of the Feast of the Assumption, with a Festal Marian Vespers, bringing together all the participants for the final evening concert.
The course
The Tallis Scholars Summer Course offers experienced choral singers an opportunity to study and perform Renaissance polyphony in depth, working with Peter Phillips, Rupert Damerell and members of The Tallis Scholars.
The course combines rehearsals with the full choir, devoted to larger-scale polyphonic works, with sessions in smaller SATB groups of approximately fifteen singers. These smaller ensembles allow participants to work closely with the course directors on ensemble technique, vocal blend, intonation, phrasing and the interpretation of Renaissance music.
All participants study the larger works together, while the smaller-group sessions provide opportunities to explore a wider range of repertoire in a more intimate setting.
Pre-formed vocal ensembles are particularly welcome. Groups attending together will have the opportunity to work directly with members of The Tallis Scholars, receiving specialist coaching on their own ensemble singing, interpretation, blend and balance. This offers an opportunity for established groups to develop their performance skills under the guidance of some of the world’s leading specialists in Renaissance polyphony.
The course begins on Sunday afternoon, with two days of initial study before the arrival of The Tallis Scholars on Tuesday.
From Wednesday to Friday, the course will present three short evening concerts, each exploring one of the musical traditions at the heart of this year’s theme:
- England: sacred music shaped by the changing religious world of Tudor England.
- Spain: the extraordinary flowering of sacred polyphony in the Spanish cathedral tradition.
- The Capilla Flamenca: the music of the Franco-Flemish composers who served the Habsburg court of Charles V and Philip II.
Each concert will include music sung by the full choir and by the smaller ensembles, giving participants opportunities to perform the repertoire they have studied during the week.
The concerts are expected to begin at approximately 20:30, in historic churches in Ávila.
On Saturday 14 August, the course concludes with a Festal Marian Vespers, bringing together the full choir and smaller ensembles in a final public concert.
Who should apply?
The course is intended for experienced choral singers, choir directors, section leaders and students of singing who have a particular interest in Renaissance polyphony.
Participants should have good sight-reading skills, considerable experience of singing polyphonic music and a willingness to prepare the repertoire thoroughly before arriving. Although the musical level is comparable to the International Singing Week, the pace is more intensive and geared towards preparing several concert programmes. Singers are expected to arrive with notes and rhythms well prepared and to sustain their part confidently, so rehearsals can focus on ensemble work and interpretation.
We welcome singers from around the world, and the international character of the course is an important part of the experience. Participants have the opportunity not only to work with leading specialists in Renaissance music, but also to sing alongside others who share their enthusiasm for this repertoire.
Reduced course fees may be available for pre-formed SATB groups.
Tallis Scholars Summer Course with Peter Phillips 2016.
The sessions will be led by Peter Phillips and Rupert Damerell, together with members of The Tallis Scholars.
Dates and timetable
Sunday 8 – Saturday 14 August 2027
The course begins on Sunday afternoon and concludes after the final concert on Saturday evening.
The programme includes approximately 35 hours of workshops and rehearsals, together with four public concerts.
Teaching will be principally in English, with explanations in Spanish where required.
The complete repertoire and scores will be distributed electronically around Easter 2027, giving participants ample time to prepare before the course.
A detailed timetable and further information about the concerts will be sent to participants nearer the course.
Victoria Requiem – Offertorio 2018 course. Director Peter Phillips.
Venue
The course takes place in Ávila, one of Spain’s most remarkable historic cities and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Surrounded by its celebrated medieval walls, Ávila offers an exceptional setting for a week devoted to Renaissance sacred music. Its churches, convents and historic buildings provide an atmosphere particularly suited to the repertoire, while its compact city centre makes it easy to explore on foot.
Our principal venue is the Colegio Mayor Magistral Honcala, a former seminary situated close to the historic centre.
The residence provides rehearsal and teaching rooms, dining facilities, Wi-Fi and accommodation, together with outdoor spaces where participants can relax between sessions.
Rehearsals and concerts will also take place in some of Ávila’s historic churches.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khE9AAIHe8s
Impressions of the 2017 course by course member Eric Hatch from the USA
Accommodation and meals
Full-board accommodation is available at the Colegio Mayor Magistral Honcala for participants and accompanying guests.
Accommodation: 2026 reference rates. Single room: €60.62. Double room: €58.30 per person. Prices are per day and include full board. Confirmed prices for 2027 will be published when available.
You do not need to contact the residence or reserve a room before applying for the course.
Zenobia Música will coordinate the accommodation arrangements. Participants wishing to stay at the residence will receive a separate accommodation form in June 2027, with full details of room options, prices and payment arrangements.
Accommodation is paid directly to the residence.
Participants are also welcome to arrange their own accommodation. Ávila has a wide selection of hotels, guest houses and apartments, many within walking distance of the course venue.
Course fee and payment
Course fee: €450
The fee includes all tuition, rehearsals and workshops, together with the course scores supplied in digital format.
Accommodation and meals are not included.
Payment is made in two stages:
- January 2027: €50 deposit to confirm your place.
- June 2027: remaining balance of €400.
Payment instructions will be provided to accepted applicants.
Reduced fees may be available to pre-formed SATB groups. Please contact us for further details before applying.
Applications
Applications open on 1 November 2026.
Places are limited, and early application is recommended.
Applications are reviewed by the Musical Director to ensure that participants have the experience and preparation necessary to benefit fully from the course.
Where appropriate, applicants may be asked to provide further information about their musical experience or a brief recording.
Please do not make any payment until your application has been accepted and you have received confirmation of your place.
Registration form
To apply for the Tallis Scholars Summer Course 2027, please complete the registration form below.
We check applications regularly. If you have not received a reply within 24 hours, please contact info@zenobiamusica.com.
Booking deposit: if you cancel your place, the deposit is non-refundable, except where a statutory right to a refund applies. If Zenobia Música cancels the course before it starts, amounts paid to Zenobia Música for that course, including the deposit, will be refunded, without prejudice to further statutory rights. Please read the terms and conditions and the specific course conditions before making payment.
Tallis Scholars Summer Course with Peter Phillips 2016. Monasterio de Santo Tomás.
Contact: info@zenobiamusica.com.
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In accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (General Data Protection Regulation, GDPR) and Spanish Organic Law 3/2018 (LOPDGDD), we provide the following information about the processing of personal data submitted through the registration form.
Data controller: Zenobia Música S.L.
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Further information
For questions concerning the course, applications, accommodation or other practical arrangements, please contact:
Zenobia Música S.L.
The organisers reserve the right to make changes to the repertoire, teaching staff, venues or timetable where circumstances require.