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 allow us all to play together.
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.
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.
Choral and solo singers needed…
Last year the vocal ensemble enjoyed the music of Barbara Strozzi and Maddalena Casulana amongst others, with plenty of opportunities for solos and one to a part singing in rich and varied textures. In 2026 we will want voices from high soprano to low bass for both solo and choral music of the renaissance and baroque.
Read reviews and comments from past participants
Have a look at our Gallery pages to see what we got up to in previous years!