The summer school started in 1981 as 'Music at Oxenfoord', a week's course held at Oxenfoord Castle School near Edinburgh. In its first year it attracted 28 students and had a staff of six teachers - Laura Sarti, vocal studies and opera, Paul Hamburger, repertoire for singers and accompanists, David Roblou, harpsichord accompaniment, continuo and solo keyboard music, Mary Carmichael, Choral course, Joan Busby and Jane Gregson together ran a singing workshop. The staff accompanists included Hester Dickson and Malcolm Martineau.

When Oxenfoord Castle School closed in September 1993, the summer school became associated with Napier University and was moved to St Leonard's School in St Andrews, which offered excellent facilities and reasonable costs. Because about 20% of students were coming from Europe and further afield - America, Australia, Japan - the name Oxenfoord International was adopted. As well as opera and other classical music classes, a popular new Musical Theatre course had been added.

By 2000 we had 106 students applying, 62 from Scotland, and the rest from England, Eire, Greece, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Iceland, Japan, Malta and Russia. Over ten days there were 11 teachers offering a total of 21 classes, with a similar number of staff accompanists. Eight student concerts were presented with all proceeds going towards the bursary fund.

The success of the summer school has come chiefly from the very high quality and reputation of its teaching and accompanying staff, and from the mutually supportive ethos that has always been encouraged. Young professional and student singers are very attracted to the course as a result, as are gifted amateurs. However, there are also classes suitable for the inexperienced. Everyone who loves singing is welcome on the course, and many students return year after year.

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