In this workshop, we will explore repertoire that isn’t all that well known – the medieval English carol. And like puppies, these carols weren’t just for Christmas! This type of song was unique to our isle and was the first polyphonic sacred music to have a text in the everyday language of the people (although the English was often mixed with Latin). Carols are also absolutely intended for groups of people to join in with and sing together, unlike most of the repertoire that still exists from the Middle Ages, which was meant for soloists.

We will also do some medieval warm ups, and learn Gregorian chants from different places like Jerusalem, Cyprus, Poland and London.