13 – 20 November, 2010

Please note: The dates for this music retreat have changed and may be different to those advertised elsewhere.

$2280 twin share (not including international flights)

This singing retreat will be a week of pure joy as you plunge into the uplifting world of a cappella gospel singing. You’ll also visit some of the local villages: there is a rich tradition of church choirs in Fiji and you will be able to enjoy their magnificent singing and join in with them.

Tony Backhouse is one of the leaders in the Sydney a cappella movement. He directed the Café of the Gate of Salvation gospel choir for 21 years and has led male trio the Heavenly Lights since 1996. A singer, composer, vocal arranger, musical director, workshop leader and author, Tony has been running vocal workshops in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, France and the UK since 1987. In his previous pre-a cappella life, he took a B.A. (English) and B.Mus. (Composition) at Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand. He played guitar and sung in many notable bands in New Zealand including Mammal (who recorded one LP with poet Sam Hunt) and the Crocodiles, who won three NZ Recording Industry Awards in 1980). Moving to Australia in 1981, Tony sang and played with Renée Geyer, Joe Walsh, Jenny Morris, the Umbrellas and Jump Back Jack, and arranged and recorded backing vocals for Harry Manx, Dave Dobbyn, Tim Finn, Vince Jones and Kate Ceberano.

The course
Tony works with the passionate and exciting African-American repertoire, focusing on spirituals, gospel songs old and new, and choral and quartet styles. The emphasis is on harmony, collective improvisation and freedom of expression. No music-reading skills are required, and you may tape the sessions.

Each morning starts with a series of warm-up exercises to get the body and the voice relaxed – and the emotions soon follow. The singers laugh and hum and move around, and soon their spirits soar……and now Margie Welsford who came to Tony’s course in 2008 will tell you the rest:

“Tony is a weaver of magic. He can sculpt a disparate group of people with mostly average voices into a choir that makes beautiful music. I have done workshops with Tony before but nothing prepared me for the pleasure, sense of achievement and sheer joy of working up a repertoire of songs over 6 days that culminated in a performance for the locals of Savusavu.

After warming up our vocal chords and facial muscles every day with silly noises and embarrassing facial expressions we would get singing. Everyone would sing through the parts before Tony gathered them together. Then once we had the notes and words correct we would play around a little and add some movement and clapping. As well as gospel songs in English we learnt a Fijian hymn with resident Fijians – MaryAnne and Keni- helping us learn the pronunciation, and a Samoan song written by Tony.

We were blessed with a great bunch of people on the course who enjoyed singing and laughing together. Whether travelling through town on a bus or dining in the local restaurant, if someone started us up we would sing with all our might. In the small gaps between songs we would eat, snorkel or lie by the pool. It was a tough week.

I loved trying to sing in Fijian with the Yaroi church choir, while struggling to read the unfamiliar musical notation. The Fijians sandwiched us in so close to them that we could “feel” the music through our skin and not just through our ears.

When we visited Vivili we witnessed a community that sing and dance as naturally as they breathe. What a privilege to see and hear them perform

During my time in Fiji, waking or sleeping, walking or diving, the music was constantly with me- like a balm to the soul. We achieved something special and unforgettable in our time together. Thank you to Tony for having his way with us and to Daku for providing food, drink and care to sustain us for the journey.

Singing in Paradise surpassed all expectations. One of the phrases still permeating my dreaming and waking is: “I feel love Divine” In the joy of making such a beautiful sound with a bunch of other Aussies and Americans, I have come close to experiencing this.

Programme
Day 1
Arrive Nadi and Savusavu.

Day 2
10.00am – 12.30pm: Introductory session
1.00pm: Poolside lunch.
2.00pm: Coconut demonstration
Afternoon free for swimming, snorkeling, relaxing.
6.30pm: Pre-dinner drinks. Dinner and informal singing.

Day 3
9.30am – 12.30pm: Workshop
1.00pm: Lunch
Afternoon: Visit to Vivili village with church choir
7.00pm: Dinner and informal singing.

Day 4
9.30am – 12.30pm: Workshop
1.00pm: Lunch
Afternoon: Optional visit to town, visiting the geothermal hot prings, the local market and the shops.
7.00pm: Dinner and informal singing

Day 5
9.30am – 12.30pm: Workshop
1.00pm: Lunch
2.00pm: Visit to Vivili village with church choir.
4.30pm – 6.30pm: Beach outing
7.00pm: Dinner and informal singing.

Day 6
9.30am – 12.30pm: Workshop
1.00pm: Lunch
3.00pm – 5.00pm: Singing in Yaroi village
6.00pm: Drinks at Savusavu Yacht Club; dinner in town

Day 7
9.30am – 12.30pm: Workshop: Final session
1.00pm: Lunch
Afternoon: Free time. Options for private tours, relaxing.
4.00pm – 5.30pm: Singing with Vivili. Traditional Fijian meke (dance)
7.00pm: Dinner, concert and party

Day 8
Return to Nadi and on home.