Cratoule Summer Singing School

15th – 22nd August, 2026
Applications will be open at the start of February, 2026

Programme directors
Jan Wiener, Course Convener
Marc Verter, Artistic director

Cratoule summer school is an annual vocal programme that takes place in the south of France, and is open to young professionals as well as college students and experienced amateurs. Participants receive daily voice lessons and rehearse for opera scenes and song ensembles. The musical programme is presented in a final public concert at the nearby village of Barjac. The staff includes highly experienced international professionals: three voice teachers, one stage director and three pianists/vocal coaches.

The social element is an essential part of the spirit of the course and all meals and drink are served outdoors to be enjoyed by all participants and staff.

Bursaries are available to college students.

Cratoule is located in the south of France near Issirac (Gard), about an hour’s drive from Avignon. Click here for map.

The course runs from Saturday to Saturday and you need to commit to the whole week if you decide to apply. Arrival is Saturday afternoon, public final concert late on the Friday night and departures are on the Saturday morning or lunchtime. The course is located in rural France so no travel to Avignon is possible in the evenings.

Click on a thumbnail below to enlarge the photos.

WhatsApp Image 2025-08-24 at 16.02

Above: Tia Raddix- Callixte, Hannah Leggat, Chad Vindin

Above: Dorothy Whyte Venables, Anthony Cohen, Smauel Mills, Amit Sova,
Marc Verter

Above: Dorothy Whyte Venables, Keren Hadas, Tia Raddix Callixte, Grace Carter

Above: Niri Boasson, Samuel Mills, Marc Verter

cratoule singing course

Recommendations
- eighteen
  
  "The amount of energy and dedication, the attention to detail, have been really inspiring and motivating"
- seventeen
  
  "I really felt the course was there to be enjoyed but also offered the chance to grow in a serious way"
- sixteen
  
  "An incredibly high standard of tuition"
- fifteen
  
  "Wonderful surroundings; a place of exceptional beauty and peaceful atmosphere"
- fourteen
  
  "The location is perfect for study without distraction"
- thirteen
  
  "Fantastic quality of teaching staff"
- twelve
  
  "Very good value for money"
- eleven
  
  “Truly a wonderful week – the best week of music-making I have had the pleasure to experience. Congratulations on a remarkable summer course.”
- ten
  
  “This course was truly life-changing for me... I will definitely recommend this course to my colleagues.”
- nine
  
  "The whole set-up was very supportive, enabling the singing to take place in such a positive atmosphere"
- eight
  
  “The atmosphere during the week was terrific, collegial, sociable and new friends made’’
- seven
  
  “A great week and would thoroughly recommend it to friends”
- six
  
  “the opportunity to study singing with a number of knowledgeable and gifted tutors”
- five
  
  “the feeling that the course was a safe place to be”
- four
  
  “the individual tuition and comments and helpful advice provided by the tutors … both their technical advice on voice production and on interpretation”
- three
  
  “afternoon informal concerts, giving everyone the chance to perform”
- Recommendation two
  
  “the opportunity to dip my toe into some opera scenes”
- Recommendation one
  
  Which aspects of the course did you most appreciate?
  “very attractive, rural (and French) surroundings”