19 – 27 May, 2012

Rachel’s coming back again! Her week of Singing in Paradise in Fiji has become a regular part of the calendar for many of her followers and it just gets better and better.

Andrew Davis has been 7 times (!!!) and he said of the last one:

“It was a wonderful week of song and friendship with a fantastic group of enthusiastic singers. I am sure we sang more ‘out of class’ than any other group.”

It is a joyous week in a beautiful location: a feast of workshops wrapped up in a holiday in Fiji. In the mornings, everyone comes together to learn and practice songs in 3 and 4 part harmony, singing from Rachel’s collection of contemporary Australian, gospel and world music songs. In the afternoons, the choir spends time learning Fijian songs and singing with a Fijian village choir. It’s a time when people form wonderful friendships both within the group and with the Fijians, and revel in the blissful release that singing brings. And as well as singing, there’s also time to snorkel on the coral reef, swim in the pool – or just relax and read a book.

Rachel Hore is an exceptional teacher who brings a fantastic energy and warmth to her work. She can mould a group of relative strangers into a beautiful choir in an astonishingly short time, and she makes each and every singer believe in the glory of their own contribution. She has a relaxed, fun style of teaching and it suits beginners right through to experienced singers.

Perhaps her most impressive strength is her unique ability to arrange music in a way that is not difficult to learn, even for a beginner, and those arrangements resonate deeply with the singers – call it bliss, call it ecstasy, but it raises the hair on the back of your neck, and is never forgotten.

Rachel has been performing and teaching throughout Australia and internationally for the past 20 years. A graduate of the NSW Conservatorium of Music, she began her singing career with the highly acclaimed Australian vocal quartet ‘Arramaieda’, who became an important influence on the now flourishing choral scene in Australia. Rachel has conducted large choral events for over 400 voices including the Melbourne Millennium Chorus and the Woodford Folk Festival Fire Choir. She teaches at the annual choral retreat Wintersong, and overseas choral workshops Singing in Tuscany and Singing in Siena. She welcomes both experienced and novice singers.

Rachel’s website can be found at www.rachelhore.com.

COST:

$2180 twin share
$350 single room supplement
Non-singing partners welcome: $1200

Program Includes

• Return domestic flight from Nadi to Savusavu.
• Return airport transfers from Savusavu to Daku Resort.
• 8 nights accommodation at Daku Resort
• Breakfasts, lunches and dinners
• Course fees
• Excursions as listed.

Program Excludes

• Comprehensive Travel Insurance.
• Optional activities not listed on the program
• Costs of a personal nature eg laundry, massages, private trips
• Meals taken in transit at the airport
• International flights to Fiji.  We are happy to quote on these and book them for you if requested. Flight prices fluctuate according to demand.

The course runs for 7 days, and includes workshops, local excursions and free time.
Prices quoted are per person twin share with private facilities.

Travel note:
Because this week attracts so many people it is very helpful to us if some people can arrive early OR leave late. If you have that flexibility please let us know; we will give you free accommodation for the extra night.

The Programme

Saturday 19 May
Fly to Savusavu. The resort is 10 minutes from the airstrip, and you will be welcomed into it with a traditional Fijian welcoming ceremony

Sunday 20 May Introduction to the week. After a poolside lunch, there will be an introduction to the coconut in Fiji and a walk around resort gardens. In the afternoon there is an opportunity (optional ) to visit Yaroi village to join their church service, and later to join their choir rehearsal. In the evening there will be dinner and some singing.

Monday 21 May
Morning workshop. After lunch we will visit Vivili village, see how they live and hear some singing from their magnificent church choir. Evening dinner.

Tuesday 22 May
Morning workshop. After lunch you will have some free time for snorkeling, swimming and relaxing. Or there’s an optional visit to town, visiting the geothermal hot springs, local market and shops.

Wednesday 23 May
Morning workshop. In the afternoon we will return to Vivili village to continue learning songs with their choir, returning via a beach for optional swimming and snorkeling.

Thursday 24 May
Morning workshop. After lunch, there’s time for relaxing or taking optional outings to beach along the coast.

Friday 25 May
Morning workshop. Afternoon free for optional visits to waterfalls (good level of fitness required), pearl farm or snorkeling: cost not included in programme. In the evening we will go into Savusavu for drinks at the Yacht Club and dinner in town.

Saturday 26 May

Morning workshop. Afternoon free. Final concert in the evening.

Sunday 27 May

Leave Savusavu. Return to Nadi.

Make a booking »