Why HISS?
Historically Informed Summer School 2026
HISS is a truly unique course that since 2011 has been bringing together musicians from the worlds of folk, medieval, renaissance and baroque music. We welcome both singers and instrumentalists (our pitch is A=440 to let us all play together) and also those who do both. You can sing all week, or focus on one instrument, or switch between different instruments (and singing) for every pick and mix session. You’ll meet a range of musicians with multiple talents – you might even decide to take up a new instrument and go to a class where you can try it out. You really can pick and mix, and make HISS your own!
Are you a singer who wants to gain confidence, or a choral singer who’d love to learn how to sing folk songs? Hazel Askew knows about vocal technique and this amazing repertoire.
Got a viol in a cupboard somewhere? Bring it to HISS and let Ali Kinder work her magic.
Classically trained violinist who’s always fancied trying your hand at folk fiddle? John Dipper will inspire you.
Bought a crumhorn, rauschpfeife or curtal years ago and have never quite played it enough? Tim Bayley knows everything about reed instruments.
String player who wants to learn how to play baroque music? Anne Marie and Catherine will show you how to do it with style.
New to the lute and struggling with Dowland? Eric Thomas will be arranging the music to suit your ability.
Polishing your technique on cornett or sackbut? Let Richard Thomas and Emily Saville guide you.
Confident singer looking to expand your boundaries? Sing with cornetts and sackbuts, or try Dowland with a real lutenist. Let Graham Coatman coach you in a large group, a small group, or a solo if you’re brave enough…
Play your recorder in private but never find anyone to join you? Mary Tyers and Rebecca Austen-Brown have exciting consorts for you every single day – fancy trying a contrabass?
Is HISS for me?
HISS is the place to hone your skills and make new contacts, to play and perform with professionals.
Benefit from the experience of working with our world-class tutors – you can choose to stretch yourself or work in your comfort zone. The HISS experience can be as relaxed or as intense as you want to make it, and is always very sociable. The diversity of our programme means we have something for everyone. Please note that under 18s must be accompanied by a responsible adult (who can be a non-participant).
Make new friends – you’ll find the welcome warm and the company inspiring. Mealtimes are very sociable and you’ll quickly find yourself getting to know people on the classes you are doing.
HISS is for singers and players who read from notation. HISS is also for singers and players who do not read, but learn by ear. The information for every class will tell you whether it’s for readers or for learning by ear. Some are equally open to both.
The best value music course?
HISS is unique in many ways: one of them is being Monday to Friday rather than a full week. Does that mean you miss out?
No! On a week-long course you arrive on a changeover day and leave on the same day, and you have a day off in the middle. So that's five full days of music-making, maybe five and a bit.
At HISS you arrive between 2pm and 4pm on a Monday and leave between 3pm and 4pm on a Friday, so that's four full days of music-making.
For literally half the price of many week-long courses!
Spread the word!
Please spread the word about HISS! Share our website details, or print a few copies of our updated 2026 flyer – showing our extended deadline of Sunday 12th July 2026.
Read reviews and comments from past participants
Have a look at our Gallery pages to see what we got up to in previous years!