The Great Malvern Festival Of Singing 4th – 9th August 2025 With Residency Options

We are so excited to offer you this opportunity to come together with singers from all over the world, and be inspired by glorious music, in an idyllic setting.

There is a vast difference between They Shall Laugh & Sing events, and other similar ventures, in that our goal is not to get it right, make a nice sound, or to be in tune. For us, those are things we will achieve as a matter of course in following our true aim.

The purpose of They Shall Laugh & Sing is to help you find an indescribable joy in your singing which will not only see your singing improve, but will enhance the rest of your life.

We teach you vocal techniques which work with your body to help you get the very best out of your voice. We help you to understand the text and why it has been set in a certain way and how that fits within the particular style of the piece. In so doing, we teach you to be the best singer you can be and to truly express yourself through the music. Wherever you feel you are in your life, the way we work is going to enhance it.

This is a “festival” because we intend to be celebrating the music, the singing, the feeling of working together and the excitement that comes with learning from others of all levels.

It all takes place in the picturesque and historic town of Great Malvern, with its magnificent Priory and wonderful setting in the Malvern Hills. We have a fantastic week of music set up for you. The German Requiem by Brahms, two days of Exploring The Music of The Renaissance and Plainsong, and finally two thrilling days working on Will Todd’s Mass in Blue.

The Brahms and Todd will lead to public performances in the wonderful setting of Great Malvern Priory. The Renaissance days will lead to an extended service of Compline in the beautiful Chapel of Malvern College.

The festival will be in three independent parts.

The first two days (4th-5th August) will feature Brahms German Requiem, which we will perform in the version with four hands at one piano.

Then the second section (6th & 7th August) will be an in depth look at some Music of the Renaissance and how to sing Plainsong. which will lead us to an extended service of Compline in the College Chapel.

We will spend the final two days (8th & 9th August) preparing for a performance of Will Todd’s Mass in Blue, which we will be performing with a wonderful jazz ensemble.

But there’s more. On the evenings between the choral performances, we will be treated to song recitals, given by the professional soloists from the Brahms and Todd, accompanied by our wonderful pianists.

The Festival will be lead by (from left to right) Jeff Stewart, Ben Saul, Jonathan Hope & Piers Maxim.

The Brahms Requiem (Sung in German) will be led by Jeff Stewart, assisted by Jonathan Hope and Piers Maxim. Electronic copies of the music will be provided in advance, along with access to learning tracks and a pronunciation guide. Hard copies will be provided on arrival. Don’t be afraid of the German. There is a relatively small amount of text which is repeated often. We will coach you thoroughly so that you can sing it expressively.

Exploring the Renaissance and Plainsong will be expertly led by Ben Saul and Piers Maxim, who will help you to uncover what is going on in the music and what it all means in the context of the period. Electronic copies of the music will be provided in advance along with access to learning tracks. Hard copies of the music will be provided on arrival.

The Mass in Blue will be led by Jeff Stewart, with assistance from Ben Saul, who will also lead the band. You will be provided with hard copies on arrival, and we will give you the tools to learn it in advance if you wish.

On this page you are only able to book options which include residency. If you would like to explore options with non-residency please click HERE.

Accommodation is at Malvern college in en-suite rooms. There is limited space so do not hesitate to book or your place will be gone.

If school accommodation isn’t for you, you may choose to be non-resident.

What it included?

By signing up for the festival you receive your tuition, copies of the music (on loan for the Brahms and the Todd) meals if you are resident or if you choose non residency but with meals, a complimentary ticket for each concert in which you are involved, plus a seat at the recital which takes place during your stay (N.B. non-course-members will have to pay the entrance fee for the recitals).

What are my options?

There are many different options for being involved in the festival. You may choose to come for the whole of the event, or for just one or two parts of it. You may choose to be resident at the college, in which case you will have either a single or a twin room, according to your preference. You will receive all meals, including wine with your evening meal.

If you choose to be non-resident, you have the choice to have either lunch, lunch and dinner, or no meals with us. So you can make it work with your budget.

This is the first time that They Shall Laugh & Sing has put on such a big event and it’s going to be a huge adventure which we look forward to sharing with you.

Please study the different payment options below, go to the relevant page, and make your booking. We can’t wait to see you.

N.B. If you choose to join the Brahms and Todd courses, but not the Renaissance course, then you will not be able to be resident in the college during the days of the Renaissance course.

We will ask you to arrive for each new course by 10am in order to begin work at 11am. After the Brahms course, people not staying for the Renaissance course will be asked to vacate their rooms by 9am in order for them to be prepared for the next arrivals. Likewise, if you are on the Renaissance course but not the Todd course, you will be asked to vacate your room by 9am in order for it to be prepared for the new arrivals. Naturally, if you are staying from one course to the next, you will not be required to vacate your room.

Prices include a 40% non-refundable deposit. The balance will be due on 4th June 2025.

Please read our Terms & Conditions. Completion of your booking assumes you have read and are happy with them.