This will be Helen Chadwick’s ninth singing weekend at Hill Cottage Retreat Centre since she started coming in 2013! It is the second time she has offered the highly successful 'Wild Harmonies' weekend. This residential weekend provides a unique opportunity for you to be part of a group of singers led by Helen. It will run from Friday evening until Sunday afternoon.

 

Helen will  be teaching a song from each of her favourite vocal traditions… Corsican and Georgian.

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During the weekend Helen will use rhythmic patterns, song forms and harmony choices that are inspired by her travels in places like Bolivia, South Africa, Colombia which have seeped into her compositions.

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Helen’s  songs are uplifting with beautiful harmonies and inspiring lyrics. Her workshops are focused and fun, challenging without pressure, joyful and committed, empowering and relaxed.

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An ability to blend and sing in tune is welcomed. There will be some opportunities for singing one voice to a part for those who enjoy doing so, but it is not an essential skill for the workshop. In the main we will work all together.

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Helen Chadwick has been leading choirs and singing workshops for over 30 years and has written around 400 songs for theatre, concerts and community singing events.

“Chadwick…an exquisite find” – THE GUARDIAN   “that brilliant bard” – THE INDEPENDENT “Pierces the heart” – EVENING STANDARD

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A singer, songwriter, composer, performance creator, ethnomusicologist and voice coach, with a background in theatre, Helen writes unaccompanied songs for voices and creates solo and group performances with Helen Chadwick Song Theatre. Some performance projects involve community engagement.

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“to sing her haunting melodies, taught by her, is an unforgettable and moving experience… her vast body of work…and her beautiful voice provide a strong creative ground for any singer to grow and thrive”

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Solo song theatre performances have toured to Denmark, the UK, Brazil, France, Argentina, Italy and her group song theatre shows created with Olivier Award winning Steven Hoggett are DALSTON SONGS, WAR CORRESPONDENTS, TRUTH.

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She has also created site specific song theatre for Greenwich and Salisbury festivals and the Paul Hamlyn Hall at the Royal Opera House with choreographer Liam Steel. Commissions to create songs include pieces for choirs and English Touring Opera, the BBC, the Royal Shakespeare Company and the National Theatre.

Helen is founder with Thames Festival of the mass choir charity project Sing for Water which has raised over a million pounds for water projects, thanks to the collaboration of choir leaders and festivals in the UK, Europe and Australia.

She has recorded ten albums, including House of Light and Fragments of Love. She loves to set great poetry, and her albums are full of these songs.

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For more information about Helen visit helenchadwick.com

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For wild harmonies to work for everyone it is necessary for everyone be a part of the group for the whole weekend from Friday evening until Sunday at 3.30pm. 

Friday Arrival from 3.00 pm - 5.00 pm, Supper at 6.00 pm followed by an evening session at 7.15pm.  

Saturday evening will be an optional stand alone session for those who wish. Feel free to rest!

For non residential participants, both evening sessions will end by 9.15pm. 

The weekend of singing will end at 3.30pm on Sunday with cups of tea available before we depart for those who wish. 

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Cost  Workshop, full board (vegetarian) and accommodation

Workshop, full board (vegetarian) and accommodation in single rooms

Crog loft room – £200 (2 bedrooms available)

Standard single – £220 (6 bedrooms available)

Large single – £240 (3 bedrooms available)

Non-residential £120 – Workshop, lunches, Saturday dinner and refreshments  (3 places available)

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£15 of this deposit will be non-refundable as a contribution to our fixed admin costs. The remainder of the deposit is refundable if you cancel up to 8 weeks before the event. After that time it also becomes non-refundable unless we have to cancel the event and then your whole deposit will be returned.

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The balance becomes due two weeks prior to the start of the event which is non-returnable. If there are circumstances that create a risk of cancellation for you, we recommend that you take out cancellation insurance, in case you are unable to attend.

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In the unlikely event that we need to cancel or postpone, a full refund of what you have paid to us will be offered. Our liability is limited to what you have paid for the retreat or the workshop, therefore travel insurance is recommended, if you have booked tickets to get to Hill Cottage.

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Friday Arrival from 3.00 pm - 5.00 pm, Supper at 6.00 pm followed by an evening session. Saturday 10 am – 5.00 pm with an informal evening session and Sunday 10.00 am – 4.00pm.

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These arrangements will be subject to any Covid 19 regulations, if they are in force at this time

Booking: please contact Zarine for a booking form or more information using the email address below. Thank you. info@hillcottageretreats.co.uk