“I always come, it’s by far the highlight of my singing year.”

Our full programme attracts local and international singers who want a focused, high-quality singing and performing experience in their summer break.

It is an opportunity to rehearse and perform two different programmes of music, firstly as part of the Festival Choir, directed by Aoife Hiney, and then in the symphonic Festival Chorus, directed by Brian MacKay. Throughout the week, members of ZAVE, our resident professional vocal ensemble, will be on hand offering coaching and support and also singing within the choirs in each of the concerts.

Ensemble skills develop and flourish through daily professionally-led full rehearsals, sectionals, and vocal technique sessions. For those seeking extra coaching or wishing to further develop their vocal technique during the festival, we also offer individual singing lessons with a specialist teacher.

The Festival Choir meets for the first time on Saturday afternoon, 19th July, and by Tuesday evening we are ready to perform a Zelenka Mass in the Santa Casa da Misericórdia church – a 16th century gem in Tomar’s old town.

“A wonderful choral concert made all the more rewarding by having the professionals supporting and singing with us in the choir. It really elevated my own performance.”

On Wednesday morning there is a new buzz of excitement as all the other participants join us to form the Festival Chorus and rehearse our symphonic programme ‘Ever ancient, ever new’, which couldn’t be more aptly named, as poetry and chants from the distant past are given new life through the beautiful music of contemporary composers, which we are privileged to sing in stunning historic surroundings.

We travel to Batalha on Friday afternoon to rehearse with our professional orchestra for our first Festival Chorus performance in the famous Capelas Imperfeitas (‘Unfinished Chapels’) of the Mosteiro da Batalha.

Our week concludes on Saturday evening, 26th July, with a concert in a simply magical setting: the main cloister (Claustro de D. João III) of the Convento de Cristo in Tomar, with its magnificent architecture and astonishing acoustics.

We will sing every day: rehearsals typically take place in the morning and again in the late afternoon/early evening. In between rehearsals and concerts there is time to socialise and enjoy other festival events – a week’s stay is perfect for exploring Tomar, learning about the local history and culture, discovering cafés, restaurants, and the best spots to relax and soak up the atmosphere.

Further details, including repertoire for both programmes, an outline schedule, and the application form can be found below: