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SOS Residential Weekend 2024
Let music LIVE!
After the huge success of the 2023 Residential Weekend, we just can't wait to do it all again!
Come back to beautiful Ross-on-Wye in Herefordshire from the 19th-22nd July 2024 and be a part of our incredible GLOBAL choir. Yes, we're doing it all again with our second SOS Residential Weekend, and this time we're going even BIGGER!
We've kept our venues and setup the same, only we've added MORE for '24!
Our home is in the very heart of picturesque Ross-on-Wye, an historic market town just 25 minutes from Hereford. It is the birthplace of British tourism and has breath-taking views of the River Wye, across to the Welsh mountains.
The Royal Hotel will be your home for the weekend; built on the foundations of a 13th-century Bishop’s Palace, your every need will be taken care of by their experienced and attentive staff. You’ll also get free parking and free WIFI. Stay for 1, 2 or 3 nights - or join us as a Day Participant.
Take part in a whole weekend of singing and socialising with other choristers from around the world. Develop your musical skills in our exciting workshops and rehearse with Emma and the choir for your big concert. Then, kick off your shoes and enjoy some downtime with our fun and informal socials. Time to socialise with other singers has become a big part of our events and we're delighted to tell you that in 2024, we've got even more opportunities for meeting up with SOS friends, old and new.
The weekend culminates in a Sunday concert at the elegant St Mary’s Church (next to the hotel) where the Sing out Strong Global Choir will, once again, delight and astound the audience, under the 205-feet spire that can be seen from miles around. The concert will be in aid of a local mental health charity.
As always, Sing out Strong will be supporting singers in advance with all sheet music provided free of charge, detailed teaching videos to help you learn the material and full online sing-along tracks that you can download. Tune in and practise where, and when, it suits you!
As for the material itself, you’ll be singing a wide variety of repertoire from folk to classical and pop. Both men and women are welcome to join with our adaptable musical arrangements which, this time, include a show-stopping musical theatre opener, an imitative vocal game complete with body percussion, a traditional Welsh folk song, a meaningful pop anthem – and we’ll be throwing in some old favourites, too, including an SOS legacy from lockdown and the gaming classic "Baba Yetu", back by popular request.
Our draft itinerary is included below and you can read some of the feedback from our 2023 Residential here.
Booking is now OPEN! Click here to check out our Packages and here to look at our easy-pay Instalments!
We look forward to seeing you in Ross on Wye in June 2024 and making music together once more.
Draft Itinerary 2024
Friday 19th July 2024
Arrive at The Royal Hotel, Ross on Wye, and check into your room from 15.00 onwards.
17.00 “Meet and Greet” welcome drinks with all your global friends on the hotel terrace, overlooking the beautiful River Wye.
18.30 Dinner in the hotel restaurant with the whole group
20.30 Free time to relax or take an evening stroll around Ross on Wye.
Saturday 20th July 2024
Breakfast at the hotel
8.45-9.00 Arrival and registration for Day Participants
9.00-10.00 Workshop #1 Ice Breakers and Vocal Health
10.00-11.00 Full Choir Rehearsal #1 with Emma
11.00-11.15 Coffee break
11.15-12.45 Full Choir Rehearsal #2 with Emma
12.45-13.45 Lunch break
13.45-15.00 Workshop #2 Body Percussion
15.00-15.20 Coffee break and split up
15.20-16.50 Sectional Rehearsals
16.50-17.50 Free time to freshen up and change
17.50 Group departs for Ross Community Garden, where we will spend the evening
18.30-19.00 Workshop #3 Mindfulness
19.00 informal Singing and Pizza Party for choir and plus ones. Time to look around the wellbeing gardens and catch up with old friends. Bring your choir folder!
Sunday 21st July 2024
Breakfast at the hotel
8.45-9.00 Day Participants arrive
9.00 "Class of '24" Formal Photograph
9.15-10.45 Full Choir Rehearsal #3 with Emma
10.45-11.00 Coffee break
11.00 – 12.30 Full Choir Rehearsal #4 with Emma at St Mary's Church
12.30-14.00 Lunch and change for concert
14.30-15.30 Dress rehearsal of finale with all choirs
15.30-Doors open to the publlic
16.00-18.00 Concert
Some singers may choose to leave after the concert and make their way home
19.30 SOS "After Party" and buffet
Monday 22nd July 2024
Breakfast and check out of the hotel "until we meet once more".
Our 2024 Packages
Spread the cost with our interest-free instalments!
All packages require a £100 deposit (per person) to confirm your place, and then the balance can be paid off in EASY INSTALMENTS between now and April.
Day Participant
No accommodation
Package #1 Two full days of sensational singing!
£205
All Sheet Music and Learning Resources, lunches and coffee breaks, THREE exciting Workshops, five rehearsals including NEW Sectional Rehearsals
AND
Saturday Wellbeing Evening and Dinner at Ross Community Garden with the whole group!
Single Room
A single room for one singer
Package #2a One Night (Saturday Only)
£345
Room overnight for Saturday plus Breakfast Sunday morning
AND
All Sheet Music and Learning Resources; lunches and coffee breaks, THREE exciting Workshops, five rehearsals including NEW Sectional Rehearsals, Wellbeing Evening and Dinner at Ross Community Garden
Package #2b Two Nights (Fri/Sat or Sat/Sun)
£470
Room overnight for Saturday plus Breakfast Sunday morning
AND
All Sheet Music and Learning Resources; lunches and coffee breaks, THREE exciting Workshops, five rehearsals including NEW Sectional Rehearsals, Wellbeing Evening and Dinner at Ross Community Garden
AND
Either a welcome drink and dinner Friday night, with a room overnight and breakfast Saturday morning OR the SOS After-Party and buffet Sunday night, with a room overnight and breakfast Monday morning.
Package #2c Three Nights (Fri, Sat, Sun)
£575
The whole weekend taken care of, including:
Three nights' accommodation and three breakfasts
AND
All Sheet Music and Learning Resources; lunches and coffee breaks, THREE exciting Workshops, five rehearsals including NEW Sectional Rehearsals
AND
Saturday Wellbeing Evening and Dinner at Ross Community Garden
AND
Friday Welcome drink and dinner and Sunday SOS After Party and buffet!
Double/Twin Room (Singer and Plus One)
A double/twin room for two people, where only one is singing
Package #3a One Night (Saturday Only)
£440
Room overnight for Saturday plus Breakfast Sunday morning
AND
All Sheet Music and Learning Resources; lunches and coffee breaks, THREE exciting Workshops, five rehearsals including NEW Sectional Rehearsals
AND
Saturday Wellbeing Evening and Dinner at Ross Community Garden (for your plus one, as well!)
Package #3b Two Nights (Fri/Sat or Sat/Sun)
£625
For singers:
All Sheet Music and Learning Resources; lunches and coffee breaks, THREE exciting Workshops, five rehearsals including NEW Sectional Rehearsals
For you both:
Two nights accommodation and two breakfasts
AND
Saturday Wellbeing Evening and Dinner at Ross Community Garden
AND
Either a welcome drink and dinner Friday, OR the SOS After-Party and buffet Sunday.
Package #3c Three Nights (Fri, Sat, Sun)
£780
Experience the entire event from start to finish!
For singers:
All Sheet Music and Learning Resources; lunches and coffee breaks, THREE exciting Workshops, five rehearsals including NEW Sectional Rehearsals
For you both:
Three nights' accommodation and three breakfasts
AND
Saturday Wellbeing Evening and Dinner at Ross Community Garden
AND
Friday Welcome drink and dinner, and Sunday SOS After Party and buffet!
Double/Twin Room (Two Singers Sharing)
A double/twin room for two people, where both are singing
Package #4a One Night (Saturday Only)
£295 each
Room overnight for Saturday plus Breakfast Sunday morning
AND
All Sheet Music and Learning Resources; lunches and coffee breaks, THREE exciting Workshops, five rehearsals including NEW Sectional Rehearsals, Wellbeing Evening and Dinner at Ross Community Garden
Package #4b Two Nights (Fri/Sat or Sat/Sun)
£385 each
Room overnight Saturday plus Breakfast Sunday morning
AND
All Sheet Music and Learning Resources; lunches and coffee breaks, THREE exciting Workshops, five rehearsals including NEW Sectional Rehearsals
AND
Saturday Wellbeing Evening and Dinner at Ross Community Garden (for your plus one, as well!)
AND
Either a welcome drink and dinner Friday, with a room overnight and breakfast Saturday morning OR the SOS After-Party and buffet Sunday, with a room overnight and breakfast Monday morning.
Package #4c Three Nights (Fri, Sat, Sun)
£465 each
The whole weekend taken care of, including:
All Sheet Music and Learning Resources; lunches and coffee breaks, THREE exciting Workshops, five rehearsals including NEW Sectional Rehearsals
AND
Three nights' accommodation and three breakfasts
AND
Saturday Wellbeing Evening and Dinner at Ross Community Garden
AND
Friday Welcome drink and dinner, and Sunday SOS After Party and buffet!
Booking is now OPEN!
How to Pay for your Place
Feedback from 2023
The Resources
The Resources
The Resources
“Resources were great – demonstrated by the fact that we were able to sing all the songs together on day one!”
“If there were any questions in advance, the team was quick to answer.”
The Arrival
The Resources
The Resources
“Arriving was well organised, planning was faultless, a lot of effort undertaken so it seemed that everything was seamless, nothing appeared to be too much trouble.”
The Arrival
The Resources
The Arrival
“A lot of attention to detail, and useful information both via Facebook and email, which made it very straightforward.
I also really appreciated the warm welcome when I arrived."
The Hotel
The Hotel
The Arrival
“I thought the hotel was a lovely place to stay, lovely food, welcoming and friendly staff.”
The Hotel
The Hotel
The Hotel
“Especially liked the little extras like the hotel organising check out and the use of a room to freshen up in.”
The Hotel
The Hotel
The Hotel
“The welcome drink was such a lovely thought and gave us the chance to unwind after travelling. The hotel staff couldn’t have been any more helpful and friendly and the rooms were comfortable and clean.”
The Workshops
The Friendships
The Workshops
“Loved the workshop, lots of useful information that really helped with singing the pieces.”
The Workshops
The Friendships
The Workshops
"They were fun and I also learned more about singing in general, which was great!”
The Friendships
The Friendships
The Friendships
“I felt very welcomed by everyone from the "home" choirs, and it was lovely to meet old and new friends from the lockdown choir.”
The Friendships
The Friendships
The Friendships
“I loved every minute of the singing but what really made it was the camaraderie amongst us all - getting to chat to new people all of whom have the same thing in common - we all love singing.”
The Concert
The Friendships
The Concert
“A very well thought-out programme and I can't wait to see what is on the menu for next year!”
The Concert
The Friendships
The Concert
“Loved singing in the final concert, what an achievement. You all couldn't have done more, THANK YOU.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Please reach us at singoutstrongmembers@gmail.com if you cannot find an answer to your question below.
Following great feedback from our 2023 participants, we're returning in 2024 to Ross-on-Wye. We’ll be based, once more, at the Royal Hotel which sits right up in the top of the town, overlooking the River Wye and the Welsh mountains. It truly is a stunning location. This is a link to their website - take a look for yourself:
https://www.greenekinginns.co.uk/hotels/royal-hotel-ross-on-wye/
We'll be using a number of different venues in and around the hotel grounds. Everything is walkable within minutes and, if you need help with accessing our sites, we can help with that, too.
Yes, there is for overnight guests and it’s free of charge (the WIFI is, too). Day participants are encouraged to use the Crossfields car park at the gates to St Mary's Church. Currently, the car park is £6 for 24 hours.
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! We have a special rate for rooms when only one of you is singing. Your plus ones will also be able to take part in all of the social activities with you. We like to make them feel included and welcome.
Nope! You can pick single or double occupancy and to have double or twin beds. Just let us know, when booking, what you’d prefer.
We'll be there from lunchtime Friday until check-out time on Monday, but the various packages have different start/end times. Just take a look and decide what best suits you.
You can check into your room from 3pm and check out is 11am but we'll provide space for your luggage to be stored outside of this time, if needs be. This time around, we're also offering singers the chance to stay over on the Sunday night so that they you don't need to travel after the concert. Sounds like an excuse for a Sunday-evening karaoke social!
No…but the residential will move quite fast so we rely on our singers to pretty much learn the songs in advance so that we can just work on polishing when we’re together - there will be no "note bashing" on the weekend. To that aim, we will provide full rehearsal tracks and record online rehearsals in advance of the weekend.
In the beautiful St Mary’s Church right next to the hotel. Take a look at their website here: https://rossparishes.uk/our-churches/ross/
If you sign up to one of our overnight packages then all of your food will be provided. All Day Participants will also receive a lunch during rehearsal both Saturday and Sunday, and coffee breaks, too.
About six weeks before the Residential is when you should tell us about any dietary requirements you may have. Please note that drinks are not included in any package; there is a pay bar in the hotel and our other venues.
Your plus one will also get dinner and breakfast with you. About six weeks before the Residential, we will ask them to tell us about any dietary requirements they may have. Please note that drinks are not included in the DBB rate; there is a pay bar in the hotel.
Plus ones, however, will NOT be able to have the lunch and coffee breaks with you as they will take place in our rehearsal room. Of course, you're welcome to leave the rehearsal room at lunchtime and go out for something to eat with your family - but the price of this will not be included in your package and so you would need to pay separately. We cannot refund you if you choose not to eat one of the meals we have provided.
Ross on Wye is the birthplace of British tourism and is a protected Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty! We provided a very useful Welcome Pack in 2023 and will again be putting a booklet together of nearby spots of interest, places to shop and eat - and can make suggestions if you have a car with you and they wish to explore further afield.
Your "plus ones" will need a ticket to come and watch the formal concert on the Sunday. We don't mind if they sneak into the church for a preview earlier on the Sunday, too. It's a public venue, after all ;)
As always, proceeds from the concert will go to a mental health charity. Tickets will go on sale next year.
Bookings are now OPEN! Book your place NOW by following this link: https://forms.gle/SdqHoZD9sk3NPz1ZA
The quickest way is to email us on singoutstrongmembers@gmail.com or to WhatsApp us on 07782 509219.
Terms and Conditions 1.1 - July 2023
By signing up to the 2024 RESIDENTIAL WEEKEND at Sing out Strong, you acknowledge that you have read, and agree to, the following Terms and Conditions and you enter into an Agreement between you and Sing out Strong LTD (Registered in England and Wales Company No. 13530638). This Agreement commences as soon as you have paid your deposit. You may not transfer this Agreement to anyone else.
1. HEALTH AND SAFETY
All Sing out Strong LTD groups aim to create a safe and positive environment for their singers. Therefore, you must meet the appropriate standards of behaviour required to enable such. Any negative behaviour will result in the immediate termination of your place in the choir, with no refunds being made. This includes all rehearsals, performances, publicity events and any instances when you are wearing clothing that identifies you as being a member of Sing out Strong LTD.
Your property is your own responsibility at all times; Sing out Strong LTD accepts no liability for any lost/damaged goods, for damage to cars parked at rehearsals and concerts or to any damage to your person caused by activities at Sing out Strong LTD.
You are responsible for your own personal wellbeing, including drinking water, COVID safety and toilet breaks. It is your responsibility to organise transport to and from rehearsals, performances and events and to ensure that you are fit and well enough to take part in any of our activities.
It is your responsibility to keep us up to date with your emergency contact details and any medical conditions that may affect your ability to take part, e.g. a severe allergy or assistance requirements.
2. PHOTO CONSENT
At the RESIDENTIAL WEEKEND, we will be taking photographs and/or videos for publicity purposes. You must agree to your image and voice being used as such as it is virtually impossible to keep you out of such, in a live performance situation.
3. REHEARSALS AND MUSIC
Original music remains the copyright of Emma Rowland, Founder and Owner of Sing out Strong LTD.
All choir members should respect the leadership of the Conductors/Leaders; the decision of the Conductors/Leaders is final. All members should respect the position of Sing out Strong LTD support staff; any abuse, either verbal or written, will result in immediate termination of your membership with no refunds given.
The ethos, artistic style, wellbeing techniques and musical ideas created by Sing out Strong LTD remain the property of Sing out Strong LTD and may not be copied, borrowed, replicated or adapted in any other use or circumstances.
You should be punctual to all rehearsals, concerts and events.
No fee is due to you for taking part in our events and you do not hold any copyright over our material.
4. CANCELLATION POLICY
· A £100 deposit per person is required at time of booking (each) to confirm your place.
· The balance of your booking is due as specified in instalments, by November, February and April 1st for overnight guests and by November and February 1st for Day Participants.
· You may cancel fully, up to, and including, February 1st 2024, and receive a full refund*.
· If you cancel between February 2nd and April 1st then you will receive a refund on any payments you have made, minus £165*.
· If you cancel after April 1st then you will NOT receive a refund and you will be legally bound to pay of the remainder of your balance EVEN IF YOU ARE NOT ABLE TO ATTEND. This is the nature of booking events as a group and is, unfortunately, out of our control.
INTERNATIONAL SINGERS MAY CANCEL UP UNTIL MAY 1ST FOR A FULL REFUND
>> If Sing out Strong cancels the event due to COVID or other health reasons, then we will attempt to refund your package fees but this will be in accordance with the hotel and government's own policies at the time* <<
>> If Sing out Strong cancels the event due to low numbers, then you will receive a full refund of any deposit and balance paid (but NOT any additional costs you have incurred, such as travel costs, as these are beyond our control)* <<
*minus processing fees
5. DATA PROTECTION ACT
We use some third-party applications to run our membership database at Sing out Strong LTD however, your personal information, including contact details, will never be passed to a third party for misuse.
By taking part in Sing out Strong LTD activities, you agree to be contacted by us for publicity, updates and opportunities relating to the company, via email and/or telephone.
6. DECLARATION
This Agreement is governed by the law of England and Wales and you should save a copy of it for future reference. Sing out Strong LTD reserves the right to amend this Agreement at any time, without notice.
Sing out Strong LTD reserves the right to terminate this Agreement and your membership at any time, and without warning, if it is in the best interests of the organisation and its members, or if you fail to pay money owing or breach the code of conduct. Sing out Strong LTD does not have to explain the reasons behind such a decision.
Sing out Strong LTD reserves the right to amend the Itinerary as it sees fit; no refund is due to you if our timetable or resources have to change.
Copyright © 2022 Sing out Strong - All Rights Reserved.
Sing out Strong LTD is Registered in England and Wales (Company No. 13530638)