If you like early music, traditional and folk music, or classical music, HISS is for you.

HISS - the  Historically Informed Summer School - is a residential summer school which explores early music and folk and traditional music, and the connections between them. It is a unique opportunity to try a rewarding repertoire. If you are new to this repertoire, or come to it from a classical background, HISS offers a chance to experience early and traditional music in a friendly and supportive atmosphere. For more experienced singers and players, students and professionals, our excellent team of tutors provide a stimulating environment in which to explore the repertoire in depth.

HISS 2012 will take place 6-10 August 2012, in York St John University. The course offers an intensive practical experience over five days for singers and players of period and modern instruments. There are classes and workshops for singers, plucked and bowed strings (including viols, baroque and modern strings), wind and keyboard players.

"It was a lovely, friendly, inclusive atmosphere. Good to have a mixed age range and the young people contributed a lot to the course."

The Early Music Shop will be visiting HISS with a display of recorders, viols, early instruments and accessories and CDs - dates tbc

York is a top tourist destination, home not only to the stunning York Minster, with the finest collection of stained glass in Britain, but to the National Early Music Centre, the Jorvik Viking Museum, National Railway Museum and many medieval churches waiting to be explored. There are many other treasures amongst the ancient streets noted for their Roman, Viking and Medieval heritage, two rivers, gardens, numerous birthplaces of the famous pyrotechnics enthusiast, Guy Fawkes, and not to mention about 6 competing evening ghost tours. Try Inside York for more possibilities.

An added attraction for summer 2012 is a series of performances of the York Mystery Plays cycle.