24-31 AUGUST 2025
Currently available places:
Violin: 16 of 16 – Viola: 6 of 6 – Cello: 5 of 5
Double bass: 3 of 3 – Flute: 3 of 3 – Oboe: 2 of 2
Clarinet: 2 of 2 – Bassoon: 2 of 2 – Horn: 4 of 4
Trumpet: 2 of 2 – Trombone: 3 of 3 – Tuba: 1 of 1
Timpani/Percussion: 2 of 2
- A friendly orchestral course for adults and young people in the stunningly beautiful south eastern corner of Sicily.
- Our base is the baroque town Scicli (pronounced She-klee!) with a concert there at the end of the week.
- Enjoy the superb history, architecture, beaches, food and hospitality of this unspoilt region!
- If you know the TV series ‘Inspector Montalbano’ then you will already be familiar with this area.
- Spouses / partners / children / friends are most welcome, and (non-playing ones) are exempt from the course fee.
Music
Peter Fender is the conductor, Stephanie Waite the leader (see About Us for more info). In the past we have performed with various soloists, both singers and instrumentalists, and also with the Sicilian choir Coro Enarmonia.
See the list above for currently required instruments. We have players of a variety of standards across the orchestra, including professional.
There will be five or six rehearsals during the week (in Scicli) and the concert will be at the end of the week, preceded by an additional late afternoon rehearsal.
There may be a room which you can use to play chamber music – chamber music coaching may be available should you want it – please enquire.
The programme for the concert will be agreed in due course (see the Full Info page for details of last year’s concert).
Holiday
You will be spending time in the Val di Noto, and particularly in the town of Scicli, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a town centre which is a fine example of late baroque architecture.
As well as the musical side of the week, there will be plenty of time to explore – whether your passion is history, architecture, beaches or food. Or you could just chill out with a granita or a glass of local wine in a wonderfully relaxing atmosphere!
There will be optional extra trips arranged to local places of interest. Previous trips have included: Donnafugata Castle, Montalbano’s house at ‘Marinella’ (really Punta Secca), the beautiful city Ragusa, a meal (including fresh ricotta) on a working dairy farm and evenings at an agriturismo or an old flour mill with wine, food, music and dancing! A small supplement to cover the cost of transport will be requested during the week from each person going on each trip. The beach is a short bus/taxi ride away.
Cost
There are three costs involved (apart from general costs relating to food etc):
- Course: the standard course fee is £300. Reductions are available (for example, a £30 discount if you are a student or pay before the end of February 2024). A £30 discount is also available if you come on both this and the Lugo course. Please see the Cost page for full details.
- Travel: you must book and pay for your own travel.
- Accommodation: you must book and pay for your accommodation. We recommend Scicli B&B, with whom we have worked for many years, and who have provided excellent service. Please see the Full Information page for details.
NB: Large instruments: players of large instruments are eligible for help with the cost of transporting their instrument – alternatively we may be able to hire (for a small fee) an instrument for you in Sicily. Please enquire.