Choral Course in Spain with Hilary Campbell
Dates: 7 - 14 Aug 2026
Venue: Parador de Almagro, Castilla La Mancha, Spain
Course Leader: Hilary Campbell
£1695 per person
This choral course is based in the historic town of Almagro and is based at the Parador de Almagro, a place that combines character, comfort and an easy sense of welcome. Now in our fifth year with Hilary Campbell, the week is shaped around lively, engaging rehearsals and workshops designed to bring the music vividly to life.
Housed in a beautifully restored 16th-century convent, the Parador combines historic character and modern comfort, offering a setting of quiet elegance and ease. Elegant courtyards, generous rooms, lush gardens and a beautiful swimming pool together create a calm and inviting setting for both focused music-making and relaxed afternoons.
Just beyond the Parador’s walls lies the historic centre of Almagro, known for its theatrical heritage and exceptional hospitality. From the extraordinary Corral de Comedias, one of Spain’s most important historic theatres – to palacios, museums and monasteries, Almagro has a rich cultural heritage and a wonderfully welcoming spirit. The Parador is only moments from the Plaza Mayor, one of Spain’s loveliest squares, where arcaded cafés and friendly local bars form the social heart of the town.
The combination of the Parador’s quiet elegance and Almagro’s gentle buzz creates an atmosphere that is both inspiring and restorative, a truly special backdrop for a creative holiday.
This course will be directed by award-winning choral specialist Hilary Campbell. During the week, participants will immerse themselves in a varied programme of choral repertoire. Sessions will focus on aspects of vocal technique, ensemble skills, performance, colour and interpretation, with some lighter music thrown in for good measure, and will begin with a physical and vocal warm up each morning.
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 workshop 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 Toledo which will depart at lunchtime and return late evening.
On the penultimate evening there is an al fresco paella evening with informal performances by participants (optional!) and our final concert is held in a local venue on the last evening.
La Mancha, central Spain’s timeless heartland, is a region of wide horizons, layered history and deeply rooted traditions. Immortalised in Don Quixote, it is a landscape of medieval towns, dramatic fortresses and long-established vineyards, where history, culture and daily life sit comfortably side by side. During the week there will be plenty of time to explore Almagro itself, with its exceptional theatres, monasteries, museums and elegant squares, all just moments from the Parador and easily discovered at a relaxed pace.
During the week, excursions are planned alongside the musical schedule; we have selected some highlights which we hope will give a taste of the history and culture of this great region.
All of the above excursions are included in the price of the course.
Originally built as the Convent of Santa Catalina, the Parador’s tranquil courtyards and spacious rooms offer plenty of opportunity to relax and unwind, providing a peaceful and luxurious atmosphere for our stay. The outdoor swimming pool is a lovely way to keep cool on warmer days.
Accommodation at the Parador is in comfortable twin and double bedrooms, all with en-suite bathrooms and air conditioning. If you are coming with a friend, or wish to share a room with someone in particular, please let us know. Single occupancy rooms are available for a supplement of £450; if you wish to reserve one, please indicate this when you book. Please note that if you wish to share a room, their name roomshare must be provided at the time of booking; otherwise the single room supplement will be applied. Full details are set out in our Terms and Conditions.
A note about the weather: August in La Mancha is warm, but this is something we plan for very carefully. During the course we are in air-conditioned spaces for most of the day, including rehearsal rooms, accommodation, dining areas and transport. Activities and excursions are scheduled to avoid the hottest part of the day, and the Parador’s shaded courtyards and gardens provide welcome relief. From our experience of running these courses in Almagro, the heat has been very manageable and has not detracted from the enjoyment of the week.
This region is renowned for its traditional ‘Manchego’ cuisine and delicious local specialities which we will enjoy at the Parador de Almagro. Our meals will be prepared by the hotel’s acclaimed chefs and will comprise a varied breakfast, buffet lunch, and three-course evening meal.
We are able to cater for most special dietary requirements; please let us know of any on your booking form.
Participants are required to book their own travel to Madrid-Barajas airport, where a coach will collect the group. Please ensure that you arrive at the airport by 14.15pm on Friday 7 August and that your departure on Friday 14 August is no earlier than 13.25pm, to coincide with the coach transfer.
Recommended flights are as follows:
OUTBOUND: Friday 7 August
LHR-MAD: BA/Iberia flight BA7055/IB0714 dep 10:50 arr 14:15
LGW-MAD: Air Europa flight UX1014 dep 10:00 arr 13:30
LHR-MAD: BA/Iberia flight BA7053/IB0712 dep 09:15 arr 12:40
STN-MAD: Ryanair flight FR347 dep 08:40 arr 12:10
LTN-MAD: Wizzair flight W9 5355 dep 08:00 arr 11:40
The coach will leave the airport at approximately 15:30pm when passengers on the last flight have cleared.
RETURN: Friday 14 August
MAD-LHR: BA/Iberia flight BA7056/IB0717 dep 13:25 arr 14:55
MAD-STN: Ryanair flight FR5993 dep 13:35 arr 15:00
MAD-LHR: BA/Iberia flight BA7054/IB0719 dep 14:55 arr 16:20
MAD-LGW: Air Europa flight UX1015 dep 15:00 arr 16:25
MAD-LHR: BA/Iberia flight BA7068/IB0721 dep 15:45 arr 17:15
MAD-LGW: BA/Iberia flight IB1863/BA7198 dep 18:40 arr 20:00
The coach will arrive at Madrid-Barajas airport at approx. 10:30am.
Please inform us of any changes to your booked flight schedule.
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 £1695 and includes everything except your return flight to Spain.
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."
