Choral Course in Portugal with Hilary Campbell
Dates: 30 Aug - 6 Sep 2025
Venue: Pousada de Guimarães, Northern Portugal
Course Leader: Hilary Campbell
£1595 per person
Our fourth choral week with experienced choral conductor Hilary Campbell will take place at the Pousada de Santa Marinha, a former 12th-century monastery located in the historic UNESCO World Heritage city of Guimarães. Nestled within 18 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens and featuring a stunning pool, the Pousada offers a truly inspiring setting and is the perfect backdrop for a week filled with music, relaxation, and exploration of this remarkable region.
During the course, participants will have the chance to develop their vocal technique, enhance ensemble singing skills, and explore a varied and uplifting programme of secular repertoire under Hilary’s expert direction, making it an enriching and rewarding experience for singers of all levels. With a delightful mix of creativity, exceptional cuisine, fine wine, and a lively social atmosphere, this promises to be an enriching holiday experience.
This course will be directed by award-winning choral specialist Hilary Campbell. During the week, participants will immerse themselves in a varied programme of secular choral repertoire made up of classical pieces alongside arrangements of well-known lighter songs for mixed voices. Sessions will focus on aspects of vocal technique, ensemble skills, performance, colour and interpretation, and will begin with a physical and vocal warm up each day.
The course will build up towards a public performance at the end of the week in a local venue. We also encourage participants to bring material for smaller groups (e.g. madrigals or barbershop) and coaching is offered to individuals and small groups. At the end of the week an informal al fresco evening provides an opportunity for these items to be performed to the rest of the group.
Music will made available in advance of the course via printable downloads and audio files, so participants can familiarise themselves with the course repertoire.
As well as providing a rewarding musical experience, we aim to give participants the opportunity to enjoy a truly memorable holiday. A typical day will include a morning rehearsal session followed by a buffet lunch, after which there will be small group sessions. Afternoon excursions usually depart at around 3.30pm and return in time for dinner, with the exception of the excursion to Porto which will depart at lunchtime and return late evening.
On the penultimate evening there is an al fresco evening with informal performances by participants (optional!) and our final concert is held in a local venue on the last evening.
We are very fortunate to be based in the fascinating town of Guimarães, which was European City of culture in 2012, and has been selected as the European Green Capital for 2026. The town boasts a wealth of historic buildings as well as delightful medieval squares and has a lively cultural scene, with art galleries, cafés and boutique shops, as well as a cable car.
As part of our programme, we’ll also be exploring some of the region’s other highlights. We’ll visit the beautiful city of Porto, famed for its stunning riverside and rich cultural heritage, as well as Braga, one of the oldest Christian cities in the world, with its impressive architecture and spiritual significance. And of course, no visit to this part of Portugal would be complete without a wine-tasting, where you’ll have the chance to sample some of the region’s finest wines.
During the week, excursions are planned to complement the course schedule; we have selected some highlights which we hope will give a taste of the history and culture of this wonderful region.
All of the above excursions are included in the price of the course.
Set within eighteen acres of beautiful gardens, with a commanding view over the city, the Pousada de Guimarães offers outstanding standards of accommodation. Formerly a 12th-century Augustininan monastery, this Pousada was beautifully restored and is now renowned for its combination of luxury and exquisitely preserved history and culture.
The Pousada has an abundance of communal spaces with plenty of secluded corners in which to relax and unwind, including botanical gardens with lake, formal garden, cloisters, grotto and granite fountains. There is also a stunning swimming pool with views over the city of Guimarães.
Accommodation at the Pousada is in well-appointed twin and double bedrooms, all with ensuite bathrooms, and is allocated on a room-share basis. If you are coming with a friend, or wish to share a room with someone in particular, please let us know. A limited number of single occupancy rooms (double or twin ensuite) are available for a supplement of £450; if you wish to reserve one, please indicate this when you book.
A combination of the Pousada’s striking setting and the fascinating city of Guimarães will provide us with the perfect backdrop for a creative holiday.
All meals (except evening meal in Porto) will be prepared by the hotel’s acclaimed chefs and will comprise an extensive buffet breakfast, buffet lunch, and three-course evening meal. The Pousada’s restaurant is renowned for its gourmet cuisine and delicious local specialities.
We are able to cater for most dietary requirements; please let us know of any on your booking form.
Participants are required to book their own travel to Porto International airport, where a coach will collect the group. Please ensure that you arrive at the airport by 14:30 on Saturday 30 August and that your departure on Saturday 6 September is no earlier than 08:30, to coincide with the coach transfer.
Recommended flights are as follows:
OUTBOUND: Saturday 30 August
STN-OPO: Ryanair flight RK519 dep 06:25 arr 08:50
LGW-OPO: British Airways flight BA2666 dep 07:10 arr 09:35
LGW-OPO: Easyjet flight U28527 dep 09:55 arr 12:20
LGW-OPO: TAP flight TP1329 dep 12:00 arr 14:25
The coach will leave the airport at approximately 15:30pm when passengers on the TAP flight have cleared.
RETURN: Saturday 6 September
OPO-LGW: Easyjet flight U28524 dep 08:30 arr 10:50
OPO-LGW: TAP flight TP1328 dep 08:55 arr 11:10
OPO-LGW: British Airways flight BA2667 dep 10:25 arr 12:45
OPO-STN: Ryanair flight RK520 dep 09:15 arr 11:40
The coach will arrive at Porto airport at 07:00 approx.
If you wish to bring a car, parking is available on site. Please let us know in advance and we will supply directions.
The total cost of the course is £1595 and includes everything except your return flight to Portugal.
What’s included?
To reserve your place, please complete the online booking form and send your deposit to us (£275 per person) within seven days. Your booking confirmation will follow. The balance is required eight weeks before the start of the course.
More information on the booking process, along with payment details, is available here.
Please refer to the Find out more section for booking details, terms and conditions and frequently-asked questions.
We’d love to hear from you, so do contact us or you can request a ringback and we’ll call you as soon as possible.
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"Thank you so much for organising such a wonderful holiday for us; I think Hilary has such a happy and cheerful approach, whilst at the same time achieving great results and attention to detail. We found her absolutely inspirational."
"the workshop was outstanding and I made several new friends"
"What a great week! We really enjoyed it"
