+ Music

What standard is the music?

The music on the course is designed to integrate players of all abilities and for the most part is of a standard suitable to all players - both beginner and experienced. Some classes may be more appropriate for certain standard players than others, but these are always included in the description and often there will be similar classes run alongside one another that cater for different abilities, e.g. the two recorder progressives.

I can only read one clef. Will there be a part for me?

If you require music in a specific clef, please do get in touch and this can be arranged. If you play tenor viol for example and can't read alto clef, we can arrange for your parts to be only in treble.

To read or not to read?

The course requires at least a basic knowledge of music. Some classes may introduce you to a new musical genre which you perhaps haven't previously experienced. We welcome musicians of all ages, although people under 16 MUST be accompanied by an adult.

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. Classes may be designated E or R, indicating mostly by Ear or mostly by Reading. Some are equally open to both.

We ask you to be able to sight-read straightforward music (at least slowly), but also to be able to master easy traditional tunes by ear.

How can we serve both those who are proficient readers and those who work entirely by an intuitive ear?

There will be a series of (progressive) sessions through the course for both singers and players based on written notated pieces, assuming a reading competency, working on style and interpretation of a range of repertoire.

Equally, there will be a series of sessions for those who do not read, learning repertoire by ear, also for both singers and players.

It will be possible for anyone to follow either route exclusively, but to do so would be to miss the point of HISS! We hope to encourage everyone to step outside their comfort zone - just a little, and in the most supportive way!

Whether written out, or improvised, there are techniques and conventions that apply to different styles, periods and genres - this is part of what the tuition will cover, as well as offering advice, examples, guidelines and encouragement to you to build on your own knowledge and experience.

If I read / don't read, how will I cope?

One of the ways we will achieve this, for players, for example, is exploration of Playford's 'The Dancing Master', or 'The Division Violin' or 'The Division Flute' - these collections share much of the same or similar material. Divisions, of course, are effectively improvised variations, often over a ground bass. Such variations may be both written down and improvised. The ground bass may have a simple harmonic pattern, which repeats. This can be picked up by ear. The ability to transform a simple harmonic or melodic pattern into an amazing flight of fancy is limited only by your imagination and technical ability!

Similarly for voices, to embellish a vocal line, be it a folk song or a piece of plainchant, with ornaments, harmonies, etc can make the same sort of transformation. Whether written out, or improvised, there are techniques and conventions that apply to different styles, periods and genres - this is part of what the tuition will cover, as well as offering advice, examples, guidelines and encouragement to you to build on your own knowledge and experience.

It has to be admitted that in recent years the majority of attendees at HISS are able to read. However, the folk classes with Hazel Askew and John Dipper are always directed at non-readers learning by ear.

Do I need to bring my own music?

For many classes, music is provided. For others, you may need to obtain the music in advance or when you arrive. Full details of this will be included in the "Final instruction" email sent to all participants in July/August. Increasingly music is uploaded in advance so participants can familiarise themselevs before the course. Increasingly we are also encouraging you to print off music for yourself. This saves time and cost at the course, as it has grown over the years. We encourage participants to bring their own music to perform in their own time, or in workshops or masterclasses, or ad hoc sessions. However, please DO bring a music stand!

What instrument(s) should I bring?

HISS is open to all singers & players of wind, string, plucked and keyboard instruments (folk, period & modern). Course pitch is A=440 Hz. Big recorders are especially welcome. Don’t feel you can’t come because you haven’t got the ‘right’ instrument! You don't need to own a period instrument to take part - it’s more about how you play it.

+ Accommodation

Can I pay extra and get an ensuite bathroom?

You don't need to! All the rooms at HISS are ensuite, with a toilet and shower. For more details, see the Accommodation page.

How long can I stay for?

Attendance on the course is for five days (four nights) – arriving on Monday afternoon and departing on Friday afternoon.

If you would like to stay for longer, see Booking – other options.

+ Meals

Are all meals included?

Breakfast and dinner are included; lunch isn't. You may find that the other meals are generous enough that you don't need lunch. But if you do, the Meadows dining room has a range of options, all at reasonable prices.

+ Booking

I'm having problems booking. Please help!

Step 1: Go to the Booking page. Click on the button labelled Booking form, fill out your details and click Submit. We need a separate booking form for each person attending the course.

Step 2: Pay for the course by your chosen method. BACs (bank transfer) is our preferred method, as it saves on commission fees and means we can keep the cost of the course down. You can make a transfer online, or you may be able to phone your bank. All the details you need are on the booking page.

If you are unable to pay through BACs, contact us at hissenquiries@gmail.com to ask about paying by debit or credit card through PayPal or Stripe.

Please note that HISS runs under the auspices of the registered charity 20,000 voices.

Step 3: Once you have submitted your booking form and completed payment, you will get a confirmation email from hissenquiries@gmail.com. Please allow up to ten days for our team to check these have been received and contact you.

If you have not received confirmation after ten days, please email us at hissenquiries@gmail.com.

What's included in the course fees?

• En-suite accommodation for four nights
• Breakfast and dinner (including the Musical Banquet)
• Teas and coffees each morning and afternoon, or at any time from your shared kitchen
• Tuition and workshops
• Printed music

What happens once I've made a booking?

Once both your booking form and payment have been processed you will receive an email confirming your place on this year's course. You will then get update emails confirming further details of the course, and a "final details" email about two weeks before the course. This will include information on arrival times, practical details, facilities and music. You will also receive further information on arrival, including site maps, emergency numbers and meal times. Several tutors make the music they will be using available in advance in downloadable pdf files. Information will be sent out as these become available.

How and when can I pay?

Visit our booking page to make a payment. You may pay a deposit (£75) at the time of booking, or pay in full. If you are unable to pay by bank transfer or online, please contact us to arrange an alternative method. If you pay a deposit, please remember to pay the balance before the booking deadline.

+ Refunds

All fees include a non-refundable deposit of £75.

If you need to cancel, and if written cancellation is received before booking closes, a full or partial refund may be possible, less the deposit amount.

Full fees must be paid by the published closing date. No refunds are made after this date.

If you cancel after this date, you will still be liable for the fees. You are advised to take out travel or other appropriate insurance to cover any loss should you be unable to attend HISS.

In exceptional circumstances a part refund or deferment may be made, on written application.

Please note that the HISS Trustees reserve the right to amend the fees and discounts offered.

Please head to the Terms and Conditions page to read the full policy.

+ Timetable

Where can I get an overview of HISS?

Read the reviews left by previous holders of the HISS Student Bursary, which give a good overall picture of what HISS offers. You can also see images from previous years in our Gallery Archive.

What are the start and end times for the course?

On the Monday, registration will be between 2pm and 4pm; the course will finish between 3pm and 4pm on the Friday.

What happens in a day?

See the bottom of the Course content page for a typical day at HISS. A typical day may start with a warm-up session, with several different options on offer. The first session will concentrate more on technical aspects of your instrument or voice, or explore aspects of repertoire, style, genre, etc. You sign up for this in advance of attending the course, and stick to it thorughout the week.

The second and third sessions will be for various ensembles and consorts, which might be single instruments or voices or mixed consorts. These are jointly led underlining the common ground between folk and early music or other combinations. There may be one-off sessions to 'try a viol' or something similar. These sessions are signed up for daily, allowing you the flexibity to build your own course through the week - a unique feature of HISS.

There will also be large group sessions, usually in the evening, working on different repertoire, enabling all members of the course to take part in something all together - another important feature of HISS. You sign up for your group at the start of the week and stick with it throughout.

These rehearsals may include separate sectionals to allow those on less familiar ground to feel as able as others to be part of this. Previous examples of this repertoire have included large-scale motets for voices, strings, wind and brass by Monteverdi, Cavalli and Croce; choruses and dances from 'The Beggar's Opera', Purcell's music to John Fletcher's play 'Bonduca' and Praetorius' Polyhymnia Caduceatrix et Panegyrica.

Each day has a period after lunch when you're free to explore the locality, rest or practise. It is an opportunity for informal music-making, and some optional sessions may also run during this time.

The day usually ends with 'sessions' in the bar, familiar to all folk musicians, open to all, and usually based on the HISS Tunebook, a very popular feature of HISS.

+ Is HISS for me?

Professional musician? HISS is the perfect place especially for early career musicians in early music to hone your skills and make new contacts.

Amateur or enthusiast? You'll love the opportunity to play and perform with professionals. 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.

Student? You'll enjoy and benefit from the experience of working with our world-class tutors. A small number of Student HISS Helper places under the HISS Student Bursary Scheme, offering very substantial student discounts.

Family? HISS is wonderful if you are looking for a holiday with a difference.

On your own? You'll make new friends, 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.

In a group? The diversity of our programme means we have something for everyone, so everyone in your group can be tailored for.