Choral Retreat

Stay tuned for our 2026 dates!

Learn Beautiful Music Together. Challenge and Express Yourself.

MORE ON THE PROGRAM HERE

The BIIMA Choral Retreat will provide an authentic and unforgettable cultural immersion in Breno, Italy for the active amateur choral musician. Choristers will spend two weeks living in the Italian Alps learning the language, developing musicianship and vocal technique, rehearsing repertoire, performing for local audiences, taking in performances, and making life-long connections and memories with fellow travellers and singers.

In addition to daily free time to explore, we will enjoy an excursion to a local winery and travel to fair Verona to see an opera performed in the ancient outdoor amphitheater. Our team of professional musicians and music educators will provide daily classes, workshops, and rehearsals that will develop all levels of choral musicians while still leaving lots of time for everyone to enjoy all that Northern Italy in July can provide.

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“ Lee Carter is without a doubt an outstanding choir director, and I say that having sung with different choirs over the past 25 years. He is respectful and supportive of every choir member, regardless of our individual ability, and with his easy-going manner and sense of humour makes both practices and concerts a great deal of fun for the choristers.” R.W.

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“We are so lucky to have a choir director who brings such creative musical adventures to our choir: e.g. collaborations, competitions, a diverse repertoire, and rewarding performances.” P.M.

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“Choir practice is a weekly highlight. You know all about the benefits of singing in a group and I agree it adds a lot to life. For me you add joy to the experience in many ways. Along with your humour you are organized and clear about what you are looking for. It always delights me when we get through the initial chaos of a new piece of work to quickly arrive at something you are happy enough with to move forward. Then comes the selective polishing and voila a concert piece has been created.” J.D.

NO AUDITION REQUIRED

If you have any questions about the choral retreat, please contact choralretreat@biimaperformance.com

ENCOURAGED TO GROW AS AN ARTIST

Bring your choral skills to a new level.

Each participant will have the opportunity to do the following:
◘ Daily choral rehearsals with Lee Carter
◘ Italian language classes
◘ Group coaching with BIIMA staff
◘ Public performance of workshop repertoire
◘ Home-cooked meals and accommodations
◘ Excursions to breathtaking wineries
◘ The chance to attend an opera at the Verona Amphitheatre

Organized group travel with a travel agency is available.

*Our participants will have the choice of double or single occupancy at either the Hostel Ostello di valle camonica OR The academy Arte e Vita.
**All fees are non-refundable, but are transferable

 

Fee: includes room and board and all training *excludes excursion, flight fees and single occupancy upgrades

Concert in Brescia!

The BIIMA Choir will perform in “La Bellezza e il Tormento” (The Beauty and the Torment) sacred music series at the ancient Chiesa di Santa Maria in Calchera in the historic city of Brescia. Experience the glorious renaissance paintings inside that will enhance your performance of our sacred choral repertoire. The BIIMA Bus will take you to Brescia in the early afternoon, providing time for a glimpse of this famous city before your evening performance.

NO AUDITION REQUIRED

If you have any questions about the choral retreat, please contact choralretreat@biimaperformance.com

Choral Retreat Itinerary*

*The Choral Retreat Itinerary is subject to change without notice

Jason Handy, Choral Retreat Pianist

Jason Handy is a pianist, educator, and coach based in New York State. He has studied solo and collaborative piano throughout the United States and Europe, including the Adamant Music School in Vermont and the Semper Music International Festival in Northern Italy. A fluent speaker of German, Jason also spent a semester in Vienna, Austria, where he studied chamber music and solo performance. Jason has performed in masterclasses with Angela Hewitt, Eduardo Delgado, Tamas Ungar, Gwhyneth Chen, and others, and has been featured on WCNY’s Classic FM radio. In 2022, he was the Apprentice Pianist at the Breno Italy International Music Academy (BIIMA). Jason is currently completing a master’s degree in Collaborative Piano at Binghamton University under Dr. Joel Harder. In addition to his work as a pianist, he is the organist at the United Church of Christ in Norwich, NY, and maintains an active piano teaching studio.

FAQ

1. Lodging

Our participants will have the choice of double or single occupancy at either the Hostel Ostello di valle camonica OR The academy Arte e Vita. If single occupancy is preferred, there will be a surcharge. Please note that limited single rooms are available and they will be sold on a first come first serve basis.

2. BIIMA Travel Agent
Choral Reatreat: Mirsa
Touring House: 876 Montreal Rd., Suite 201, Ottawa, Ontario, K1K 4L3 / Phone: 613-741-2942
Email: travel@touringhouse.com
The deadline to reserve your travel with Touring House is February 15, 2024!

3. When Do I Leave For BIIMA
Most flights arriving from North America into Europe happen over night. Please plan accordingly. For the Choral Retreat, this may mean that you will leave on June 30th to arrive on July 1st.

4. What will my days be like when I attend the BIIMA Choral Retreat?
A Typical Week Day at the BIIMA Choral Retreat will include at least 5 hours of instructional time, and may look like this:
(Schedule subject to change)
8:00 Homemade Group Breakfast
9:00 Italian Class
10:30-12:00 Rehearsal
12:30-2:00 Homemade Group Lunch
2:00-3:00 vocal classes/music appreciation classes/diction/Sectional Rehearsal
3:00-4:30 Rehearsal
4:30-6:00 Free time/Extra Sectional as needed/Private lessons with Maghan McPhee (extra cost)
6:00-8:00 Cocktails and Homemade Group Dinner (BYOB)
8:00 Evening social activities planned (game night, pub crawl, open mic)

5. What repertoire will we be working on in rehearsal?
We will explore and prepare diverse repertoire that emphasizes Italian lyrics and composers, and music that represents Canada to our Italian audiences. Choral Music will be assigned and sent to you in May. No need to come prepared, but you are welcome to look over the music beforehand

6. Do I need to know how to read music to attend?
There is no requirement to read music. Sheet music will be provided prior to departure with available learning tracks, should you wish to prepare in advance. But, with two weeks of daily rehearsal, workshops, and sectionals, you will certainly know your music by the time we perform at the end of our retreat!

7. Do I need to audition to attend the Choral Retreat?
Absolutely not. This retreat is for amateur choral singers of all levels who are looking to improve their skills and knowledge while forming lasting relationships in a beautiful setting.

8. Can I Fly Directly To Breno?
No. You must fly into Europe, preferably Milan. We will have a bus booked to take the participants directly to the academy from Malpensa Airport. Bus timing is TBD. You can also arrange your own transportation via the train system. There are daily trains arriving in Breno.

9. Can I Bring My Spouse Or Friend?
Absolutely! The same fees apply. Please let us know if you would like to room together or if you will upgrade to a single room.

10. What Should I Pack?
• Light clothing, as it is usually hot
• A plug adapter for electronics
• Ear plugs
• Bathing suit
• Any prescription meds and maybe some over the counter meds that can be useful for travel (i.e gravol, imodium, etc).
• Basic first aid kit with painkillers, allergy medication, moleskin and adhesive bandages
• Copies of your music
• Sun screen
• Hat
• Water bottle
• Concert attire
• iPad, laptop or a tablet
• Passport
• Proof of vaccinations
• Cash and credit cards
• Health insurance card
• Travel insurance info
• Itinerary, ticket and reservation info

BIIMA Faculty