Welcome to the With One Voice Autumnal Singing Retreat. Come together to sing our hearts out for the weekend in this stunning location in the Forest Of Dean. We’ll sing plenty of folk and community songs in 3 and 4 part harmony, as well as doing some circle singing, sound bathing and other gentle, non-exposing group improvisation games.

We’ll have a campfire sing around on Saturday evening, so bring along a song to share; this could either be one with a chorus that people can join in with, a round or short repeatable song, or a song that people would just listen to. (If you’d like any support with this then please just ask, I know it can be a bit scary, and we’ll aim to make it as safe and welcoming a space as we can).

This retreat has been designed to be fairly DIY in terms of food prep, with teams taking turns to prepare and clean up from food throughout the weekend. You shouldn’t need to do more than one or two stints throughout the weekend. This keeps it affordable and accessible for most people and is reflected in the very reasonable cost for the weekend, which includes food and dorm accommodation.

About the Facilitator:

Pearl is an experienced choir leader, workshop facilitator and vocal improviser. She runs Stroud Folk Choir and Sing Ahoy Folk Choir and brings her workshops to festivals including Shambala, Land Skills Fair, Fire in the Mountain and ORFC. She has spent the last few years enveloped in the rich blanket of Collaborative Vocal Improvisation, studying with Briony Greenhill who is one of the pioneers bringing this singing style to the UK from America, where she studied with Bobby Mcferrin and Rhiannon. Pearl is also one third of the trio, The Crooked Penny, who sing folk-inspired songs with haunting harmonies and a feminist twist. Pearl is dedicated to enabling others to connect through singing.

Accommodation:

The Wilderness Centre has dorms of 4-8 people in bunks. Most people will stay in these but if you’d really like your own room and there are enough people who’d like to do this then we can book a nearby cottage for an extra £90-£100 per person. Please indicate on the form whether you’d prefer this option.

Food:

We will eat vegetarian food which is included in the price of the weekend. Diet choices, intolerance and allergies will be catered for as much as possible, so please let me know on the form if you have any specific needs. We will take turns to help out with food prep and clean up and we’ll have a sign up rota on the weekend. This is intended to keep the costs accessible.

Costs:

• Low cost £130
• Standard cost £155
• Own Space + £80-90 per person for 2 nights for a room in a nearby cottage.

*Discount available for Stroud Folk Choir and Sing Ahoy members.

The Plan:

*This is approximate and may change a little in the lead up to the weekend or on the days of we feel like we need more time for some things and less for others

Friday:

• 16:30-18.00 Arrivals
• 18:30 – 19.30 Dinner
• 19.30 – 20.30 Opening Circle – Getting to know each other through singing
• 20.30- Time for settling in. We can make a choice about whether we would like to play some games or do some singing or just have a natter, or a combination.

Saturday:

• 7:45 – 8:45 Yoga/Dancing (optional)
• 8.45 – 9:45 Breakfast
• 10.00 – 11:00 Warm up and singing games
• 11:20 – 12.50 Circle singing and sound bathing.
• 13.00 – 14.30 Lunch
• 14.30 – 17.00 Learning Songs (with tea & cake break)
• 17:00 – 17.30 Reflections and check ins
• 18:30 – 19.30 Dinner
• 19.30 – Late Campfire Sing Around (The fire pit is sheltered so we should be able to use it regardless of the weather).

Sunday:

• 7.45 – 8.45 Yoga/Dancing (optional)
• 8.45 – 10.00 Breakfast and empty rooms
• 10.00 – 13.00 Warm ups and Singing
• 13.00 – 14.00 Sandwich Lunch
• 14.00 – 15.00 Singing walk. (An easy walk with several stops to sing)
• 15.00-15.30 Closing and Departure