The Week...

Oxenfoord International takes place at Loretto School in Musselburgh, just a few miles east of Edinburgh. The school is set in spacious grounds providing convenient accommodation and excellent music facilities. With its suite of All-Steinway pianos, and headed by international accompanist Malcolm Martineau, it offers a rare opportunity for singers and accompanists, from the inexperienced to those at the highest level, to study with respected tutors who are specialists in their field. Our professional pianists play for all classes and concerts and will help to rehearse repertoire, although you may bring your own accompanist if you wish. Please let us know if so.

When you arrive at Loretto School you'll receive your welcome pack (with timetable, door codes, catering times etc.) at a registration desk in the Music School. The Music School notice boards will display course information throughout the week and any important announcements will also be made during morning warm-ups and evening concerts.

To allow for your own practice, you may choose one class for each day you're attending the course. Outside these scheduled classes you can observe other classes or organise your own rehearsals and coachings. For a nominal fee you can also request extra classes, where tutors are available. In this way you can tailor the course to suit your own requirements and will generally be involved in one or more of your chosen classes every day. For details of classes available, including a number of new classes for 2012, please see the Our Tutors page or download our Application Form'

Every morning there'll be a vocal and physical warm-up before classes begin, which has proved popular to get started for the day ahead. Workshops on various topics will also be scheduled throughout the week and will be open to everyone, enhancing the breadth of classes on offer. You can really take as little or as much from the week depending on what you want to get out of it.

There are also opportunities to perform in one of the public evening concerts. Be sure not to miss the mid-week Lollipops concert and see students and staff in a completely new light... follow that with a Ceilidh and enjoy this very Scottish tradition! The Concert in the Chapel is a highlight of past years and many students choose to take part singing choral favourites and sacred solos, with rehearsals throughout the week. Details of all the evening concerts are as follows:

As you may be asked to perform in one of these evening concerts please bring suitable dress which you might want to wear. You may also want to bring a selection of repertoire as tutors might want to work on several pieces during classes and you'll also have more options if asked to perform at an evening concert.

There are a limited number of bedrooms available at Loretto School and priority will be given according to distance from your home address. Most of these rooms are study bedrooms for single use with shared kitchen facilities, please apply early to ensure a single use bedroom. Although bedding is provided, you'll need to bring your own towel and toiletries. For all residents breakfast, lunch and dinner is provided although meal tickets can be purchased for observers and non-residents.

If you have any specific requirements regarding your accommodation or catering please do let us know in advance. Every evening there'll be a bar near the accommodation to wind down after evening concerts.

Musselburgh also offers a variety of nearby accommodation, including hotels, guest houses, B&B, flats and a caravan site. Further details may be obtained from the local Tourist Information Office or www.musselburghuk.com