The Sing out Strong Grand Tour: France 24-27 July 2026
Sing out Strong is heading to the sunny South of France!
Caudiès-de-Fenouillèdes, Pyrénées-Orientales | July 24th - 27th, 2026
Sing out Strong is off to the sunny south of France, to the stunning Pyrénées-Orientales department and the town of Caudiès-de-Fenouillèdes. We'll enjoy a long weekend filled with laughter, friendship, and music-making, culminating in a collaborative concert with local choir, Choeur de la Boulzane and YOU are invited!
But this is more than just a Grand Tour – it’s a life-changing experience. It empowers singers to connect across cultures, build confidence, and find belonging through music.
Our international adventure will allow us to:
- Represent our community on a global stage
- Share our message of wellbeing and inclusivity through performance
- Provide a transformative cultural and musical experience for all involved.
Booking is open! for SINGING-ONLY places in the choir on this exciting weekend.
As always, it's available to all members of the public – wherever in the world you’re based. You don't even have to have sung with us before. Plus-ones (and families) are also welcome to join the trip; we want to make this the biggest SOS event EVER!
"SOS: The BEST-organised choral event I have EVER attended!"
2024 Participant
We're keeping things very simple with our arrangements:
- Performance Fee There is a one-off Performance Fee for every singer (GBP £120) which covers your sheet music, rehearsals (online and in person), licensing, resources and portal access.
- Accommodation You can use this map link to help you explore the local area and book your hotel, gîte or campsite. All our activities will take place in and around the town of Caudiès-de-Fenouillèdes.
- Travel We have produced a full Route Guide to help you get to the local airports and train stations, to ensure you begin your adventure stress free...
And you don't have to be from the UK to join us; to date we've had singers from the USA, Canada, Finland, France, Sweden, Germany and the Caribbean! You also don't need any choral experience to join in as we will help you every step of the way!
What's on Offer?
New Horizons
A long-weekend adventure in the stunning south of France with Sing out Strong and our international choir family! Laugh over shared experiences, explore the beautiful region and raise your voice with ours in harmony!
Sharing our Passion
We are delighted to be performing in concert with local choir, Choeur de la Boulzane.
The Very Best of French Hospitality
We are promised a very warm welcome by our French hosts, with an outdoor welcome supper under the stars (singers and hosted plus ones), a vineyard tour and a joint concert with our new French friends.
Making the Most of the Tour
Some of our singers may choose to turn the trip into a full holiday for their family, extending their time in France and booking a local campsite, gîte, hotel or Airbnb.
And of course, there will be Singing!
Rehearsals
We will have a number of in-person rehearsals in France, culminating in a joint concert with the Choeur de la Boulzane on the Saturday evening, and an informal sing on the Sunday morning.
Repertoire
We'd love to announce the repertoire for 2026, but we can't because this time, YOU get to choose! Yes, once you've booked your place for our trip, you will be sent a link to vote for your favourite SOS pieces from the last 5 years - all 25 of them! The most popular choices will be performed on the Grand Tour! Will it be "Farewell Blessing", "Baba Yetu", "Clap Praise" or "Take me Home"? Vote for your choices...
Resources
All sheet music and rehearsal resources will be provided digitally in advance, via our popular members' Portal. We'll also be running a course of Zoom sessions to get you started and prepare you for the 2026 material, which we will record for revisiting. Tune in and sing when - and where - it suits you.
Our 2026 Grand Tour Pricing
Performance Fee
To take part as a singer, there is a one-off Performance Fee of £120 GBP.
This covers:
- Sheet music
- Online learning materials
- Rehearsals (both in-person and virtual)
- Licensing
- Arrangements, resources and portal access.
There is no Performance Fee for plus-ones or other non-singers.
Next Steps
1) Confirm YOUR place for the tour of the century by booking here:
2) Accommodation
Start to look for local accommodation that best suits you and your party. We recommend it is in the area of Caudiès-de-Fenouillèdes.
3) Travel
Let us know how you're getting to France and we'll try to pair you up with other singers to help with your transfers from the airport/station! Use our handy Route Guide to help!
Helpful Advice
Travel and Transport
- When arranging your own accommodation, you’ll need a way to get between your accommodation and the central meeting point and our activities.
- You’ll need to arrive in Caudiès-de-Fenouillèdes by the afternoon of Friday 24th July, ready to rehearse with Emma.
- Use our handy Route Guide to help you plan your trip.
- Our final group activity will be on the evening of Sunday 26th July and we will be leaving early the following day. Of course, you may want to extend your trip and explore more of the beautiful area!
Passports & Travel Documents
- Make sure your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your travel date.
- You do not currently need a visa for short stays in France from the UK, but please check your own country’s travel rules if you're coming from elsewhere.
- EHIC/GHIC health cards are useful, and travel insurance is necessary.
- EES will be in place for British citizens entering the Schengen area.
Music
- Once you have signed up, you will be sent a link to vote for which SOS songs we will perform in France!
- You will be expected to learn your music in advance using the resources provided.
- There will be a number of online (Zoom) rehearsals prior to departure, and an in-person run-through on arrival.
- Remember to factor the Performance Fee cost (£120) into your budgeting.
- Please come prepared and performance ready – this helps everyone feel confident and enjoy the experience fully.
Language, Food & Cultural Considerations
- Some host families may speak limited English – part of the joy is the cultural exchange!
- We’ll provide a short guide with helpful French phrases and practical etiquette tips (and maybe even some sneaky French classes online!).
- If you are staying in your own accommodation then we cannot guarantee that you will eat meals with the rest of the choir. Please make sure you have an alternative plan in place.
- We will do our best to let hosts know of any dietary requirements but please do make sure you alert them, too.
Luggage
- Remember to pack concert clothing (more details will follow), comfortable walking shoes, swimwear (if you’re extending your trip!), and any medications you need.
Accessibility & Health Needs
- If you have mobility or medical needs, please let us know as early as possible so we can support you appropriately.
- We’ll be walking short distances and standing for extended periods during rehearsals and concerts.
Wellbeing & Group Culture
- SOS tours are welcoming, inclusive, and community-driven.
- Please be open to new experiences, flexible with changes, and kind to each other – especially during travel days!
- We’ll provide wellbeing check-ins and support where needed.
Travelling with Children or Dependents
- Families are welcome! If you’re bringing children or dependents, you’ll need to:
- Make suitable accommodation and travel arrangements
- Ensure they are supervised and provided for at all times (especially when you're on stage)
- Children can attend performances but may require a ticket.
Spending Money
- You’ll need some euros for lunches, any outings, souvenirs, and optional excursions.
- Card payments are widely accepted, but it’s handy to have a bit of cash too.
Happy Singers from Previous Projects
Frequently Asked Questions
Please reach us at singoutstrongmembers@gmail.com if you cannot find an answer to your question below.
We'll be travelling to the town of Caudiès-de-Fenouillèdes, in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, in the South of France.
Of course! We know that many of our singers will travel with partners, family and friends, after all, it’s a great excuse for a holiday! Why not extend your stay a bit longer and explore the area? Just make sure you're in the right place, at the right time, for our rehearsals and activities!
Nope! If you're being hosted with a friend, we'll make sure to check whether bedrooms are single, double or twin.
We pride ourselves on being completely SINGCLUSIVE. That means, we welcome EVERYONE to our friendly choir family.
For singers with mental health conditions, our staff is mental health trained and can offer signposting, quiet spaces and support. After all, Sing out Strong only exists because of the lived mental health experience of our Founder!
We can provide large-print music for those with vision difficulties and chairs on stage for singers that can't stand. We also have experience working with singers with Fibromyalgia, Parkinson's, Dementia, Autism, MS, ADHD, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Epilepsy.
Dietary requirements are universal and we will do our best to alert all hosts as to any necessary allergies/intolerances.
If you are hosted then you will eat meals with your host or with the group. If you are organising your own accommodation then we cannot guarantee that you will have meals with the group so please ensure you have an alternative plan in place.
You must be in the town of Caudiès-de-Fenouillèdes by the afternoon of Friday 24th July, 2026.
Our team will return home on the morning on Monday 27th July, 2026.
Not at all - we have welcomed singers of all experience levels/abilities to our projects in the past and we will provide full rehearsal tracks and online rehearsals in advance of the weekend, including our helpful staged-learning tracks, which will guide you through the process of learning.
By the time you arrive for the Grand Tour, you will be really familiar with the material already, and we will be able to spend our rehearsal time polishing the songs all together.
The nearest airports to Caudiès-de-Fenouillèdes are Perpignan, Toulouse, Girona and Barcelona.
Your "plus ones" will need a ticket to come and watch our concert on the Saturday night, singers do not. We will share the details with you, closer to the trip.
Upon booking, you will be asked (via invoice and BACS/PayPal) to pay your £120 Performance Fee direct to Sing out Strong LTD.
The quickest way is to email Deputy Conductor Jenn on singoutstrongmembers@gmail.com or to WhatsApp her on 07782 509219.
Once you have signed up, you will be added to the 2026 WhatsApp group where you can also get more information and quick responses to any questions.
ALL TRAVEL ENQUIRIES should be directed to our Event Manager, Jilly, at jillyss@icloud.com.
Terms and Conditions 1.3 - August 2025
By signing up to the Sing out Strong Grand Tour: France 2026, you acknowledge that you have read and agreed to the following Terms and Conditions. This forms a binding Agreement between you and Sing out Strong Ltd (Registered in England and Wales, Company No. 13530638).
This Agreement begins once you have paid your Performance Fee. It cannot be transferred to another person.
1. PERFORMANCE FEE
- The Performance Fee (£120) is required to confirm your place.
- It is non-refundable after a 48-hour cooling-off period.
2. HEALTH, SAFETY & CONDUCT
- Sing out Strong LTD aims to provide a safe, inclusive, and positive environment for all. You must contribute to this through appropriate behaviour.
- Unsafe, disruptive, or abusive behaviour (verbal, written, or physical) may result in immediate removal from the tour, with no refund.
- You are responsible for your own wellbeing, including hydration, medication, COVID/health safety, and fitness to take part.
- You will be asked to provide emergency contact details and declare any relevant medical conditions in confidence for safeguarding purposes.
- Your property and belongings remain your responsibility at all times. Sing out Strong accepts no liability for loss, damage, or injury.
3. PASSPORTS, VISAS & TRAVEL AUTHORISATIONS
- You must ensure you have the correct and valid travel documents.
- UK passport holders do not currently require a visa for short stays in France, but all participants must check their own entry requirements.
- From 12 October 2025, UK travellers will be subject to the EU Entry/Exit System (EES).
- The planned ETIAS scheme is not expected until late 2026.
- Sing out Strong LTD accepts no responsibility for refusal of entry or missing/incorrect documentation.
4. TRAVEL & ACCOMMODATION
- You are responsible for arranging and paying for your own travel and accommodation.
- Sing out Strong LTD will pair up to 40 singers with local host families if you choose this option. We will do our best to match preferences, but we cannot guarantee suitability or specific arrangements. THESE PLACES HAVE NOW GONE.
- If you are not allocated to a host family, or if you prefer, you may make your own accommodation arrangements at your own cost.
- If you book your own accommodation then we cannot guarantee any meals for you.
- Sing out Strong LTD accepts no responsibility for cancellation, delays, or losses connected with any third-party accommodation or travel bookings.
We strongly recommend taking out comprehensive travel insurance that covers:
- Cancellation of the event
- Unrecoverable travel or accommodation costs
- Health and medical needs abroad
5. REHEARSALS, MUSIC & PARTICIPATION
- Original music remains the copyright of Emma Rowland-Elsen (Founder, Sing out Strong Ltd).
- By joining the tour you agree to:
- Respect the leadership of conductors and organisers (their decisions are final).
- Attend rehearsals, concerts, and events punctually with all required music/materials.
- Conduct yourself respectfully as a representative of Sing out Strong.
- No fee is payable to you for performances, and you will not hold copyright over any materials created.
6. CANCELLATION POLICY
If you cancel:
- The Performance Fee is strictly non-refundable after the 48-hour cooling-off period.
- You are responsible for contacting your airline, accommodation provider, or other suppliers regarding refunds in line with their terms.
If Sing out Strong cancels:
- If cancellation is due to low numbers, your Performance Fee will be refunded in full.
- If cancellation is due to circumstances beyond our control (e.g. COVID, public health, travel restrictions), we will NOT be able to refund your Performance Fee and you must seek all other refunds from your third-party suppliers.
- Sing out Strong LTD is not liable for any third-party costs (e.g. flights, accommodation, insurance, visas).
7. PHOTOGRAPHY & MEDIA CONSENT
- Photos and video may be taken during the tour for Sing out Strong publicity.
- If you do not wish to appear in media, you must notify us in writing before the tour.
8. FORCE MAJEURE / UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES
Sing out Strong Ltd is not liable for cancellations, delays, or changes arising from events outside our control (e.g. natural disasters, strikes, health emergencies). We will make reasonable efforts to reschedule, but refunds cannot be guaranteed.
9. DATA PROTECTION
- Your information will be handled securely and in line with UK data protection law.
- We may contact you with updates and publicity relating to Sing out Strong LTD via email/telephone.
10. GOVERNING LAW
This Agreement is governed by the laws of England and Wales. Sing out Strong Ltd reserves the right to:
- Amend these Terms and Conditions at any time, without warning or notification.
- Terminate participation without refund if you breach the code of conduct or fail to pay monies owed.
- Adjust the itinerary, venues, or timetable as needed. No refund will be due in such cases.
Download our France route guide here:
France Accomodation Options Presentation 02-09-25 (pptx)
Download