Masterclass of Corsican singing

Pitchblend are delighted to be hosting the Windborne Singers once more in Bristol as part of their upcoming UK tour. They will be teaching a masterclass of distinctive, and highly ornamented and improvisational Corsican folk songs, or 'cantu in paghjella'.

This workshop will be limited to no more than thirty people.

Windborne bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to share, of many harmony singing traditions from around the world. They learned Corsican singing directly from a number of Corsican masters, including Frederic Vesperini, leader of Spartimu, who Pitchblend brought to tour the UK in October 2025.

Don’t miss this rare opportunity to learn this engaging and unusual tradition, which involves close harmony and improvised ornamentation, in a musical game in which the lead passes between the three parts. Including both sacred music and folk songs known as ‘paghjellas’, Corsican polyphony is musically challenging, but huge fun to sing.

Ticket prices

Tickets £40/32/25/18

We work hard to keep all of our events accessible to as many people as possible, while still adequately compensating our expert music leaders. To that end we offer a choice of three price bands, to suit your means, as well as a youth rate. In choosing the appropriate price band, we suggest the following guide:

Supporter: If you can comfortably afford to pay your bills, and more than one or two main holidays each year, please consider paying the supporter rate, which will help us to offer lower cost tickets to those who would otherwise be unable to attend.

Standard: If you can pay all your bills, but don't have a lot of disposable income for discretionary spend, the standard ticket price may be right for you.

Concessionary: For anyone on a low income, in receipt of income based benefits, or who would struggle to pay the standard rate.

Youth: 14-21 years old.

Donations: At the checkout you will be offered the option to make a voluntary donation. Donations help us to offer reduced price tickets to those who need them, but this is entirely optional, and you are free to enter whatever figure you wish here. Thank you.

As always, if you are keen to attend but cost is a barrier for you, please contact us directly to discuss options.

Timings

Workshop 14.00-17.00. Doors open at 13.30

All songs will be taught by ear, with no need to read music. You do not need to have sung Corsican songs before, but in order to get the most out of this workshop, you will need to be prepared to hold your own part in small groups.

Tea, coffee, and biscuits will be provided free of charge. The venue is fully accessible.

Facebook event page