Brian Mackay and the Zêzerearts team have asked me on this cold February day to encourage you to take a look at what’s on offer in this year’s choral festival taking place in mid July at the Convento de Cristo in Tomar.

Here’s an interview with Margaret McCabe who’s one of the regular participants:

And here are some of my photos from last summer’s event.

The early bird discount has now ended, but I’ve been reassured that if you whisper “Your Accompanist” in the course of your booking, you will only be charged the early bird price.

There will be guaranteed sunshine, perfomance in world heritage site venues, amazing repertoire with superb musicians and lots of people who share your choral passion.

Everyone will perform Haydn’s Creation in a massed Symphonic Chorus along with the orchestra. There are then two options to increase your level of involvement.

• Chamber Choir – singing Howell’s Requiem, some Schoenberg and Mäntyjärvi
• Festival Choir – singing Mozart Missa Brevis in F and works by Tchaikovksy and Rachmaninov.

Places for the Chamber Choir and Festival Choir are limited and – I believe are filling up fast – as is the on-site accommodation, so we recommend registering an interest as soon as possible. It goes without saying that the team is particularly keen to receive applications from men, particularly tenors.

Also available during the festival are affordably priced singing lessons (in those amazing acoustic spaces) with some excellent teachers.

If you only participate in the Symphonic Chorus, you’ll have free time for sunbathing and sightseeing and there are plans for a programme of events aimed at non-singers and Symphonic Chorus-only singers, so if you are looking for a more relaxing experience, or you’ll be travelling with friends or family members, there will be activities on offer.