Madrigals and Partsongs | Benslow Music

About Madrigals and Partsongs

Experience the uplifting power of chamber and consort singing, as tutors James Oldfield and Simon Gregory guide you through a range of beautiful madrigals and partsongs from the 16th century to today.

What is the course about?

Immerse yourself in the joyful harmonies and rich textures of madrigals and partsongs. First made popular in the 16th century by English composer William Byrd, these enduring secular songs exemplify the beauty of the human voice. Learn the art of consort singing with expert tutors James Oldfield and Simon Gregory and enjoy quality music making in an inclusive and relaxed atmosphere. We’ll dive into this rich song tradition, covering a range of languages, vocal parts, styles and periods, so you’ll leave with a deeper understanding and appreciation of madrigals and partsongs over the centuries.

What will you learn?

By the end of the course, you will: Learn how to sing madrigals and partsongs in a chamber choir and deepen your knowledge and appreciation of the song tradition. Improve your sight-reading techniques, learn breathing exercises and ideal posture to help you sing at your best and improve your vocal tone. You’ll also have the chance to sing in one-to-a-part consorts, where each singer has a different vocal part in a song, which many participants tell us is their highlight of the course.

How will the course be taught?

We will work through a prepared booklet of madrigals and partsongs, which will be given to you at the start of the course. The selection of songs will feature a range of languages, vocal parts, styles and periods, so you should gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for consort singing in all its forms. You are also welcome to share repertoire suggestions for us to cover in our afternoon sessions.

Who is the course for?

This course is ideal for singers or instrumentalists who would like to transfer their chamber music skills to choral singing. You’ll need a good level of sight-reading and be able to hold a vocal line in tune, but you don’t need any prior choir experience. Check our Guide to Standards to check if this course is for you.

Will music be provided and do you need to prepare or bring anything?

You don’t need to prepare anything in advance, just bring yourself and an openness to participate! We recommend bringing a reusable water bottle (singing is thirsty work) and a pencil for your notes.

Course Tutors

“James had chosen a wide variety of madrigals and part songs which kept us well-entertained and on our toes. He is a dedicated and professional teacher whose knowledge of music and musicality is second to none.”