Dates: Friday 25th – Sunday 27th September 2026
Scotland Sings is supporting an opportunity for 9 song leaders who have some experience writing songs for choirs or singing groups to join a peer-led weekend retreat. The weekend will give a small group of leaders space and time to create new music for choirs or singing groups. Participants will independently write songs, share and workshop their ideas with peers and receive feedback from each other. There will be space for discussion and peer support. Participants will be expected to bring their own technology or other materials they usually use to write words and music.
This event is for Scotland Sings network members. If you are not already a member, you can join here before you register below: https://sing.lovemusic.org.uk/about/network-members/
The retreat organisers are Jane Lewis and Adelaide Carlow, with initial admin support and bursary support by Scotland Sings.
Pre-retreat online course – Creating Words for Music
Dates: 4 Tuesday evenings on 1st, 8th, 15th & 22nd September, online from 6pm-7pm
Retreat participants might like to attend our stand-alone creative writing course with renowned songwriter Ali Burns and creative writing specialist Jessica Boatright, which will inspire the creation of new words or lyrics to support musical writing. Taking part could be a great opportunity for retreat participants to get in the creative mindset a little ahead of the weekend, and perhaps to prepare some text to set to music during the retreat. Full info and sign up on this page: https://sing.lovemusic.org.uk/events/words-for-music/
The aims of the retreat are
– for song leaders to support each other
– to develop skills and confidence in writing songs for singing groups
– to share tools, tips and resources that aid writing songs for singing groups
– to establish a mini network for ongoing support after the event
Who is it for?
Scotland-based song leaders who have some experience in writing songs for choirs or singing groups, and who would like space with peers to develop new ideas. As this is a peer-led retreat, it is essential that participants are confident in working independently to write music. This opportunity is not aimed at song leaders beginning to write music for the first time. There are limited places available on this project and participants will be chosen to ensure a balance in experience.
Costs
Participants are asked to make an accommodation donation of £30 per night (£60 in total) to the venue itself. The venue is self-catering, so participants will share the costs for food and refreshments for the group, with a recommended contribution of £60. Food costs will be payable directly to the event organisers, Jane Lewis and Adelaide Carlow.
If you need financial help or access support to attend this event, Scotland Sings can offer a bursary to support you. Please provide details on the booking form below.
Food
Participants will cook together in the self-catering kitchen. Dietary requirements and requests will be discussed with the group once applications are completed.
Venue: Sauchie Home Farm, Sauchieburn, Stirling FK7 9QJ
This venue has informal accommodation, with rooms shared as either twins or group rooms, or in communal spaces with sofa beds. There is also space for camping if preferred, and there is a Premier Inn hotel approx 10 mins drive away. It is wheelchair accessible. Please let us know what type of accommodation you would prefer on the booking form, and see the PDF linked to below for some photos of the rooms.
Sauchie Home Farm is situated to the Southwest of the city of Stirling, however it is not possible to get there directly by public transport. Please see the travel info and directions on the venue info sheet PDF here: Sauchie Home Farm Description. When the participants have been selected, there may be options for car share, which Jane and Adelaide will discuss with the group.
How to apply & selection process
For the retreat, please fill in the form below by the end of the day on 23rd June. Jane and Adelaide will allocate places to people who fit the criteria outlined to ensure that the group has a similar level of experience. Jane and Adelaide will tell all applicants by 1st July whether or not they have be allocated a place.
By filling in this form, your details will be shared with Jane Lewis and Adelaide Carlow. They will also be stored for administration of the project by the Scotland Sings team.
Questions about the access bursaries
Contact the Scotland Sings team at hello@lovemusic.org.uk
Questions about the in-person weekend retreat
Contact Jane Lewis via email jane@gn.apc.org
