International Renaissance Course 2025
JULY 7-14, 2025 | ÁVILA, SPAIN
VICTORIA AND THE
SPANISH RENAISSANCE
Victoria, Lobo, Guerrero, Morales
International Renaissance Course 2025
We are pleased to announce that our Renaissance course 2025 will be held in Ávila, Spain, July 7-14, 2025. The course will explore Renaissance polyphony by Spanish composers, including Tomás Luis de Victoria, Alonso Lobo, Francisco Guerrero, and Cristóbal de Morales.
Application Review Date: December 16, 2024
WHERE
C. Marques de Canales y Chozas, 2, 05001 Avila, Spain
WHEN
Monday, July 7 - Monday, July 14, 2025
COURSE OVERVIEW
The primary course objective is to prepare a program of music by Tomás Luis de Victoria, Alonso Lobo, Francisco Guerrero, and Cristóbal de Morales, which will be presented on Sunday, July 13, 2025, details TBA.
Through this concentrated week of rehearsal, recording, and performance, singers will refine skills required for professional, small-ensemble singing: tuning, singing in time, sight-reading, one-on-a-part singing, execution, and breathing. Interpolated throughout the week are masterclasses/talks aimed to further explore these skills.
Singers interested in consort one-to-a-part singing, are encouraged to participate in small groups. Small groups are invited to perform at the nightly informal “Small Group Sharing” sessions.
ABOUT THE PARADOR DE ÁVILA
The Parador de Ávila is located in the former Palacio de Piedras Albas, a 16th-century palace located in the historic centre of the city and with views of its monumental walls. Its interior is intimate and welcoming, the rooms are spacious, perfect for resting, and the dining room with views of the garden and the wall through a glass-enclosed patio make the Parador a majestic place, in keeping with many of the buildings you will find in the city, a World Cultural Heritage Site.
The Parador is surrounded by gardens, where you can visit the archaeological collection, which includes sarcophagi, baptismal fonts and a wild boar from the 5th century BC. In the restaurant you can enjoy traditional Castilian dishes such as beans from El Barco, pucheretes teresianos, a sirloin steak, roast suckling pig or the delicious yolks from Santa Teresa. In addition, the Parador holds a Gastronomic Days of the Beans from El Barco once a year.
ROOMS
The rooms at Paradores perfectly combine design and modern services. In each of them you can enjoy comfort, elegance of design and furniture and the best views in destinations you will want to return to again and again.
REGISTRATION IS OPEN
SINGER FEES
€1700 (shared)
€3000 (private room)*
GUEST FEES
€1500 (shared)
€2800 (private room)*
*limited supply
Limited scholarships available for
first-time participants. Email Markdavin at markdavin@byrdensemble.com for more information.
Participants in shared rooms will share a room with one other participant. Each participant in a shared room will have their own bed.
If selected, a deposit of 50% of fees is due upon acceptance, and the remainder is due by May 1, 2025. If you would like to make alternate payment arrangements, please contact Markdavin at markdavin@byrdensemble.com
All deposits are non-refundable
WHAT YOUR FEE INCLUDES
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Accommodations for 7 nights
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Breakfast and dinner (drinks included) (lunch on one's own)
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Singing course
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Day trip TBA (dinner on own)
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Onsite Photographer
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A video recording of the concert and produced videos of selections from the program.
REPERTOIRE TBA
Repertoire is subject to change and will be finalized after the singers have been selected.
SINGERS
32 singers—eight Sopranos, Altos, Tenors, and Basses—will be selected through an application process to participate in the course. Experience singing Renaissance polyphony is preferred, but not required.
GUESTS
We have a few guest spots available for those that would like to enjoy the course as observers. Guests are welcome to dine with the singers, attend rehearsals and the nightly "sharing" performances, and join in on the general fellowship. Some guests may prefer to use the hotel as a home base for trips they might take during the day. Guests are responsible for planning how they will spend their time at the course.
DAILY SCHEDULE Subject to change
9:00 AM - Breakfast
10:00 AM - Rehearsal (FULL)
12:30 PM - Talk/Masterclass
1:00 PM - Lunch/Break
2:30 PM - Break - Sign up for small group sessions
4:00 PM - Rehearsal (FULL)
7:00 PM - Small Group Sharing
8:00 PM - Dinner
9:30 PM - Bar
DAY TRIP (TBA)
Middle of the week day trip.
Staff
DIRECTOR
Markdavin Obenza is a choral director, recording producer, singer, and composer. Markdavin is co-founder of the internationally acclaimed Byrd Ensemble (founded in 2004), specializing in the performance of Renaissance vocal music. He is the artistic director of the Byrd International Singers, a select group of singers from around the world who participate in an annual Renaissance course offered by the Byrd Ensemble.
OPERATIONS
Lauren Kastanas is a singer, music director, and the Executive Director of the Seattle Girls Choir. Lauren founded contemporary women's a cappella group GIRL BAND in 2014 and currently directs Sorella, a contemporary vocal ensemble of Seattle Girls Choir. Lauren sings with Radiance and the Trinity Parish Choir.
COURSE MANAGER
Margaret Obenza has managed the Byrd International Courses since they began in 2017. Margaret is a professional freelance singer and has sung Soprano for the Byrd Ensemble since 2006.
DIGITAL MEDIA, PHOTOGRAPHER, FUN GUY
Willimark Obenza has over 20 years of professional choral experience and has performed with The Tudor Choir, Radiance, and the Byrd Ensemble. An expert in gimbal and drone shooting, and photography, Willi is responsible for documenting the activities on the course. Willi is also owner of photography studio, Willi Pixel. His love for photography was borne out of his love for the Pacific Northwest, which has culminated in a large collection of nature-themed photographs.