For 38 years, Dorset Opera has been successfully introducing opera to youngsters of all ages, through what has been termed "The world's foremost residential opera summer school". We hope you will be interested in being part of the unique "Dorset Opera Experience" in 2012.

You will see in other parts of this website how we bring together soloists of international repute, a full professional orchestra, a highly-acclaimed conductor and director, with an amateur chorus, technical crew and wardrobe department, for our annual summer school and production.

If you would like to be a chorus member...
Our chorus usually numbers between 50 and 80 people, ranging in age from 16 to 70. In 2011, 56% of our participants were under 25 years of age. We encourage singers to join us from across the globe. Over the past few years we have welcomed participants from Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Malta, Mexico, the Philippines, Spain, Switzerland and the USA.

During the Course you will be encouraged and helped by the members of our Artistic Team under the watchful eye of our Artistic Director Roderick Kennedy who has a long association with Dorset Opera, having sung principal bass rôles in a third of our productions over the last 30-odd years. He has appeared in over 500 performances at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, and manages to run Dorset Opera alongside his international singing career. Music Director Jeremy Carnall, will be taking charge of the Suor Angelica/Le Carrosse du Saint-Sacrement double-bill this year. He is First Kapellmeister at the opera house of St Gallen in Switzerland. This will be his sixth year with Dorset Opera. Finally, Nicolas Mansfield returns in 2012 as our Chorus Master! He was formerly the Chorus Master of the Nationale Reisopera in the Netherlands, is currently Head of Artistic Administration, and takes over as Artistic Director in January 2013. It was acknowledged by participants and the press, that Nic was uniquely responsible for the incredible chorus 'wall of sound' in Cav & Pag and Carmen. He is an expert on vocal health and has a wealth of talent and musical experience to bring to Dorset Opera.

Solo audition opportunities for all chorus participants
The Team is ably assisted by opera professionals covering all aspects of the genre – including a full set of music staff and répétiteurs for each opera. Chorus participants always get the opportunity to undertake solo auditions for the Artistic Team towards the end of the summer school. In the past, this has led to several singers being professionally employed by companies associated with members of the Team.

The stage crew generally arrives earlier, although the designer may have made a start on the set during the previous week. This is so that the erection of the main elements of the set can be achieved in time for stage rehearsals to take place. There is still plenty for the stage crew to do in the eleven days before the first of the dress rehearsals!

The general work pattern (subject to some changes nearer the time) is one of intensive rehearsals starting at about 10.00am each day. Rehearsals continue throughout the day, interspersed with mid-morning coffee break, lunch, afternoon tea and supper. There will usually be a requirement for further rehearsals after supper - after which there will be an opportunity to relax with some well earned refreshment!

Members of the production staff are all professionals. However, you will also find a considerable number of volunteers are involved in the production. The 15 or so ladies of the wardrobe will have been working on the costumes for some months before you arrive, but ensuring that the 120-plus costumes all fit the 60-80 chorus and principals, will require expert and rapid last-minute needlework. Other volunteers are available to provide any assistance that may be required, and this is centred on the Dorset Opera office where the Company Manager and her Assistant can be found. There is wi-fi Internet access on campus.

Chorus rehearsals are under the guidance of the Chorus Master and his assistant , with occasional help from a language coach. After the initial music calls, production and blocking rehearsals for the principals start immediately. The chorus will join the production rehearsals from the second day! Directors prefer to hone their work in the rehearsal room, only moving into the theatre for piano dress rehearsals towards the end of the first week. The orchestral runs and dress rehearsals follow, with performances on Wednesday 25, Thursday 26, Friday 27, along with both matinee and evening performances on Saturday 28 July.

The opportunity we are providing this year for members of the amateur stage crew to develop their skills will be just as rewarding. If you are interested in developing the technical skills you may have learnt backstage

stage earlier in amateur or in school productions, or wish to join the wardrobe, please get in touch via our contact page.

We are recruiting hard at the moment so if you want to be sure of getting a place do contact us as soon as possible.

The Fees
We believe that our fees are still the lowest of any two-week British summer school - indeed many weekend courses cost a similar amount. The fees cover the cost of accommodation, food, and costumes!

The Chorus Course Fees for 2012 are unchanged from last year:

• Full board: school students (age 16+) - £799
• Full board: students in full-time education up to age 25 (including gap year) - £799
• Full board: all others - £875
• Non-resident: including lunch and dinner on campus - £599

The Technical Course Fees (also unchanged from 2011) will be :

• Full board: all age groups from the age of 16 - £599

It is recommended that all Technical Students stay on campus.

A limited number of bursaries available to those of proven financial need. Application forms must be completed and submitted before 31 May 2012. Preference will be given to first-time attendees.