Provence calls to mind a profusion of thoughts: The south of France; lyrical landscapes with fields of lavender, ancient olive groves, Roman remains, endless gastronomy delights; inspiration to innumerable artists for centuries, including Cezanne and Van Gogh, not to mention accomplished musicians aspiring to create meaningful and engaging music.

How appropriate that it’s also the site of the University of Delaware Choral Academy Summer Symposium, which is offering a VIP program for UD faculty and staff interested in a week of rejuvenation, relaxation, inspiration and experiencing music making from the inside out.  

Scheduled from July 11-17, in Aix-en-Provence, France, just 20 miles north of Marseille and the Mediterranean Sea, the program includes four- or five-star hotel accommodation, transportation to and from the airport in France, opportunities to mingle with the symposium faculty and singers, priority access to concerts, seminars and rehearsals, sightseeing excursions and a guided escort throughout.

The academy is a unique program for students (from UD and elsewhere) and young professionals who are looking for a musically challenging and life-affirming experience. The choir performs several concerts in and around the beautiful Roman city of Aix-en-Provence in acoustically exquisite venues. It is a platform for training young conductors who are seeking opportunities for professional growth while working with a world-class choir.

Participants are inspired to ignite or rekindle their passion for choral music while being inspired by the beauty and culture of the south of France. Directed by Paul Head, Unidel Distinguished Professor of Music at UD, the symposium emphasizes reaching beyond the notes on the page in search of the philosophical and sociological depth that lies behind each musical gesture, understanding that music – like all art – is simply a reflection of the context of humanity in which it was conceived.  

The VIP program has just a few remaining spots. Additional information about the academy, the region and the program is available on its website. To explore participating, please complete this nonbinding inquiry form or email Laura Kerst.