Bruges & Ghent - Requiem mini-break

BRUGES & GHENT - Requiem mini-break
with Matthew Coleridge and Caius Lee

An unmissable choral experience! Perform Matthew Coleridge's sublime Requiem in two of Europe's most magical cities. 

Based in the beautiful medieval city of Bruges, we'll sing in the majestic Sint-Salvator's Cathedral, with a day-trip to nearby Ghent where we'll perform in the Gothic masterpiece, St Nicholas's Church.

You'll have plenty of time for exploring, experiencing the delights of Bruges's canals, medieval architecture, museums, chocolate shops and bars.

The four days of singing will be co-directed by composer Matthew Coleridge, and conductor Caius Lee (director of music, Worcester College Oxford).

L-R: Bruges Rosary Quay • Bruges Cathedral • Ghent, St Michael's Bridge and St Nicholas Church

SCHEDULE

Weds 7th April 2027 • 4pm-8pm
Rehearsals at Magdalena Church, Bruges

Situated in the beautiful surroundings of the Queen Astrid Park near the centre of Bruges, the warm and welcoming Magdalena Church will be our home for rehearsals. Recently restored, the church is now run by a non-profit company as a contemporary space for the arts, spirituality and community. Free refreshments will be available.

Thurs 8th April 2027 • 2pm-6pm
Rehearsals at Magdalena Church, Bruges

For our second rehearsal session, we'll be joined by international concert organist Ignace Michiels, who will accompany both of our concerts. Free refreshments will be available.

Fri 9th April 2027 • 2pm-4pm
Informal concert in Bruges Cathedral

Following a short rehearsal, we'll perform an informal, free concert in Bruges Cathedral. (At the time of writing, this is scheduled to be the Belgian Premiere!)

Sat 10th April 2027
Day-trip to Ghent, with concert performance

We'll travel as a group by train to Ghent (25 mins), where you'll have time to explore the city during the morning. After lunch, we'll rehearse in St Nicholas's Church in the main city square, before giving a formal concert at 4pm. Part of the Bach Concerts Ghent series, these events help fund the restoration of the church's famous Cavaillé-Coll organ.

There will be time during the day to visit the famous Ghent altarpiece by Jan van Eyck - it is located in Ghent Cathedral, just 250m from our concert venue.

(A return train ticket is included in the course price, travelling as a group at a specific time). 

L-R: Magdalena Church (our rehearsal venue) • Bruges Cathedral organ • St Nicholas, Ghent

FAQs

WHAT WILL WE BE SINGING?

Repertoire will include Matthew Coleridge's Requiem (in its entirety), plus selected movements of his other works including The Breath of Life and Stabat Mater Dolorosa. We'll be joined by an internationally-renowned concert organist, and professional cello and soprano soloists.

CAN ANYONE COME AND SING?

This event is for experienced choral singers. You don't need to be a strong sight-reader, but will be expected to be familiar with your part beforehand. Home rehearsals tracks can be provided. With limited rehearsal time, we plan to spend our rehearsals polishing, not note-bashing!

HOW MANY SINGERS WILL THERE BE?

We expect around 70 singers, most likely a mixture of UK, Dutch, French and German - and hopefully a few locals too! We will ensure there is a good balance between voice parts (no, you definitely won't be the only tenor!).

ACCOMMODATION AND TRAVEL

You will need to make your own arrangements for accommodation and travel. The course fee includes your return train ticket from Bruges to Ghent, travelling together as a group at a specific time (details TBC).

CAN NON-SINGING PARTNERS ATTEND?

Yes, and they will be most welcome to attend both concerts. They will need to book their own train ticket to Ghent for the Saturday concert.

WILL I HAVE TIME TO SIGHT-SEE?

Yes. With a maxmium of 4 hours singing per day, you'll have plenty of time to explore! Our rehearsal venue in Bruges is a 5 minute walk from the main square in the centre of Bruges. 

There will also be a few hours to explore Ghent before our concert on the Saturday.

CANCELLATION AND REFUNDS

Refunds will only be offered in the unlikely event that the organisers need to cancel the event. If you are unable to attend, you can transfer your place to another singer, but monetary refunds are not possible. It is recommended that you take out a travel insurance policy when you book.

HOW DO I GET TO BRUGES?

CAR:
just over an hour's drive from Le Shuttle terminus at Calais.

TRAIN:
Eurostar from London to Brussels-Midi (2hrs) then 45 minute train ride to Brussels (several trains per hour).

FERRY:
DOVER to Calais or Dunkirk, then a 60-80 minute to drive to Bruges.
HARWICH to Hook of Holland, then 2.5-3 hrs drive to Bruges.
HULL to Rotterdam, then 2.5 hrs drive to Bruges (or 2hr train via Antwerp).
NEWCASTLE to Amsterdam, then 3-3.5hrs drive (or train) to Bruges.

FLIGHTS:
Bruges is 1hr from Brussels Airport, with regular flights from London (BA), Manchester (Brussels Airlines) and Edinburgh (Brussels Airlines).

MATTHEW COLERIDGE & CAIUS LEE

Matthew Coleridge is one of the most exciting new voices in UK choral music. His music is widely performed around the world, with recent highlights including concert performances at Uppsala Cathedral (Sweden), Sagrada Familia (Barcelona), Wells Cathedral (England), St Giles' Cathedral Edinburgh (Scotland) and Bergen Cathedral (Norway).

He is in increasing demand as a guest-conductor of his own music, helping to bring the absolute best out of singers with his relaxed and good-humoured approach to music making. 

In 2027 he will make his US conducting debut at Carnegie Hall, New York.

Caius Lee is Director of Music at Worcester College, Oxford - a position he has held since 2023. He is also the founder and director of the Addamus Choral Programme (formerly the Florence International Singing Programme), leading choral holidays in Europe's most prestigious and historic churches. 

A proud Yorkshireman, Caius' early training in choral singing and as an organist came at Bradford and Leeds Cathedrals. He read Music and was Organ Scholar at St Catharine’s College, Cambridge, before working as a choral director with Leeds Diocese.