Festival of Voice

The Festival of Voice 2026

19th – 26th July 2026

Milton Abbey, Dorset, UK

The Festival of Voice brings together singers from across the UK and internationally to study, rehearse and perform great gems of the choral and vocal repertoire under the baton of our Musical Director, Gavin Carr, and Artistic Director, James Platt, alongside an international faculty of distinguished vocal tutors, coaches, conductors, vocal specialists and soloists.

Set within the breathtaking surroundings of Milton Abbey School, the Festival offers an immersive experience where music-making, learning and community unfold side by side.

Across the week, participants shape their experience through one of three distinct creative pathways: ChoralFest, SongFest or OperaFest.

Individual Attention for Every Singer

Whichever pathway you choose, every participant will receive two dedicated 30-minute sessions with one of our world-class faculty as part of their course pass. These may take the form of a singing lesson, repertoire or role coaching, or focused technical consultation — an invaluable moment of tailored guidance within the larger festival experience.

Each day there is over eight hours of contact time: giving our participants near limitless opportunities to work directly with our incredible team. And because a festival should sing after hours too, the week is enriched by recitals and masterclasses given by that very same inspirational team, plus the ever-popular sing-a-long cinema night, and the legendary Cabaret evening — where participants can let loose and perform whatever takes their fancy.

It is rigorous work. It is serious artistry.

And it is, gloriously, enormous fun.

ChoralFest

Our flagship program centres on preparing a public performance of Messa da Requiem by Giuseppe Verdi, combining large-scale choral rehearsals with small ensemble work, musical coaching, choral skills sessions and focused technical development in a week of concentrated, high-level music-making. Throughout the week, singers collaborate closely with our faculty to develop both individual and ensemble artistry, honing vocal security, musical insight and stylistic confidence through an integrated program of group work and dedicated one-to-one sessions. The final performance will take place in the extraordinary chapel at Milton Abbey School — a space of soaring stone and luminous resonance that feels almost purpose-built for music of such scale and intensity.

SongFest

SongFest offers an immersive exploration of the art of song, placing text, poetry and musical nuance at the heart of the week. Through detailed work on repertoire, participants examine how language shapes line, how harmony colours meaning, and how breath, rhythm and silence carry emotional truth. The Song Cycles Lab provides space to explore larger narrative arcs, while guided listening sessions deepen stylistic awareness and historical context. Throughout the week, singers engage in individual singing lessons and repertoire coachings, refining vocal technique alongside interpretative insight. The result is a carefully structured journey that strengthens technical command while cultivating the intimacy, imagination and communicative precision that great song demands.

OperaFest

OperaFest invites singers into the dramatic and vocal world of opera, where technique and storytelling must ignite together. Through opera ensembles, an Opera Arias class and a dedicated Recitative Workshop, participants refine stylistic understanding, linguistic clarity and dramatic immediacy. Guided listening sessions illuminate historical performance traditions and evolving interpretations, sharpening artistic perspective. Alongside this collaborative work, singers receive individual lessons and repertoire or role coachings tailored to their vocal development and professional aspirations. The pathway balances technical refinement with theatrical courage, helping singers expand vocal stamina, deepen characterisation and strengthen the fusion of voice, text and stagecraft that opera requires.

Who is it for?

The Festival of Voice welcomes committed amateur singers, conservatoire and university students, emerging artists and established professionals who share a serious love of singing and a desire to keep growing. Whether you sing in a choir, are preparing for auditions at a music college or university, balancing a professional performing career, or simply refuse to let your instrument stand still, this is a place for singers who want to deepen their voice, technique and artistry with intention.

It is for those who value high musical standards but thrive in a supportive, generous atmosphere — where curiosity is encouraged, questions are welcomed, and development is approached with both rigour and humanity. You may come to strengthen technical foundations, refine stylistic understanding, explore or prepare new repertoire or simply to reconnect with the joy of singing at a high level.

What unites participants is not career stage, but commitment: a willingness to work, to listen, to collaborate and to be inspired. In return, you’ll find an environment that is musically ambitious, vocally informed and artistically alive — a place where voices are challenged, nurtured and celebrated in equal measure.

How It Works

Discover how to secure your place at The Festival of Voice 2026.

Step One: Secure your place

Click through to our booking page to pay your deposit and secure your place at the festival by 16th April 2026. You can also choose to pay in full if you prefer.

Please note, the payment plan closes to new bookings on 17th April. If you make a booking after this time, the Festival Pass fee will be due in full at the time of booking.

Step Two: Complete registration

If you are utilising our payment plan, you will receive automated reminders to make your balancing payments: the first instalment is due after 30 days, final instalment due after 60 days.

Step Three: Welcome!

If you’ve booked a residential Festival pass, arrival at Milton Abbey is from 4pm on Sunday 19th July, departing by 10am on Sunday 26th July.

If you have booked our non-residential option, please arrive at Milton Abbey at 5pm on Sunday 19th July.

Hear from Our Previous Participants

Wonderful week with such music-making. From the vocal warm ups to the Dvorak, with old friends and new, and all the professionals guiding us all the way, individually and as ensembles.

And the setting just magical!
Roll on next year!

Christine G.

ChoralFest 2025

It was a fabulous week. Such a privilege to interact with and learn from the excellent professional singers and pianists who acted as our tutors and gave brilliant solo performances.

And a delight to sing in the choir where everyone contributed to a fantastic performance.

Steve B.

ChoralFest 2025

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