BLSO Music Week 2026
12:00, Sun, 9 Aug 2026 to Sun, 16 Aug 2026
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Type of event: event Start time: 12:00 End time: 12:00 Venue: Prior Park College
Ralph Allen Dr
Bath
BA2 5AHSee map below Ticket pricing/options: Click the tickets icon to pay your deosit (£75). You will be automatically directed to the application form once you have paid. Tickets: 
Description: 
BLSO Music Week 2026
Book Your Place Today!
A Week of Music, Friendship & Relaxation
designed for emergency services personnel
in Beautiful Bath
9–16 August 2026 | Prior Park College, Bath
WHY JOIN US?
What could be better than spending a week in the beautiful city of Bath, making incredible music with an inspiring group of fellow musicians? Well, you can do exactly that in August 2026! We are making history by organising the world's first ever music week designed by and for emergency services personnel. Our base for the week will be the absolutely gorgeous Prior Park College, designed by Sir John Wood, overlooking the National Trust owned gardens with the famous Palladian Bridge. Escape into the world of Jane Austin and make music with emergency services personnel, culminating in public performances in this UNESCO World Heritage City.
Choose from the symphony orchestra, choir, concert orchestra or jazz band under the guidance of professional conductors and band leaders. The final combination of ensembles will depend on the players available. Rehearse during the week in preparation of public performances:- a choir concert in the chapel at Prior Park
- a jazz gig in Bath
- a final concert at the Forum, where everyone will be involved in a performance of Beethoven’s 9th Symphony and a piano concerto with the fabulous pianist Ivana Gavric.
We are working hard to make this opportunity as accessible as possible. The week, scheduled to run from the evening of the 9th to the morning of the 16th August 2026, will cost between £500 and £800 per person, including accommodation, guidance by professional tutors, wellbeing activities, and all meals. We will finalise the cost once we have confirmed external funding, likely to be by the end of February 2026.
With a focus on mental health and wellbeing, the days will be balanced between music making, time to relax, and opportunities to explore the city of Bath. With access to the venue's gym and swimming pool, take in the Bath skyline walk, go for a run, enjoy Prior Park gardens or take part in one of our wellbeing sessions. All this will be included to ensure this week nourishes your body and soul.
This is more than rehearsals and concerts—it’s about connection, wellbeing, and unforgettable experiences. Apply now to:• Make lifelong friends
• Explore Bath’s Georgian charm
• Enjoy wellbeing activities like yoga & sound therapy
• Perform in iconic venues, including The Forum
See below for more details.
To apply for your place, click on 'BUY TICKETS'
THE VENUE
Prior Park College, Ralph Allen Drive, Bath BA2 5AHPrior Park College is a Grade 1 listed building set in 57 acres, on a hill overlooking the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the City of Bath. All teaching and rehearsal sessions will take place in the College, where there is on site accommodation. Concerts will take place both in the stunning venues available in the College and at other venues in Bath.
The food quality is excellent and we will share sample menus nearer the time.
You can take a virtual tour of this stunning venue by clicking here (opens in a new window): Prior Park College Bath
Look out for:- The Chapel – venue for the choir rehearsals and concert
- The John Wood Chapel – for rehearsals and performances
- Girls and boys boarding houses – the accommodation
- Theatre – for rehearsals
- Swimming Pool and Fitness Suite for leisure time
- Academy Hall – for chamber music
Bath itself is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, home to incredible Georgian architecture,Bath is famous for its Georgian architecture, ancient Roman Baths, and dynamic cultural scene. Its picturesque streets and landmarks have featured in numerous films and TV shows including Bridgerton, which was filmed at locations like the Royal Crescent and The Assembly Rooms. Bath’s unique charm has also appeared in productions such as Persuasion and The Duchess. Whether exploring historic sites, relaxing in thermal spas, or discovering filming locations, Bath offers an inspiring and memorable experience.
The week will include time to explore the city if you wish. There is a public bus to and from the city centre every 30 minutesACCOMMODATION
Residential accommodation consists of basic but comfortable rooms in school boarding houses with shared bathrooms, segregated by sex. The rooms have up to four beds, some with bunk beds. You can see some of the rooms in the virtual tour above. All meals are included and special dietary needs catered for if specified in advance. All residents are asked to bring their own towel and toiletries. Those wishing to attend on a non-residential basis will find many websites listing hotels and other accommodation available in Bath and nearby. There is plenty of onsite parking for everyone. The non-resident rate includes lunch and dinner each day.
Please specify any access, accommodation or dietary needs on your application form. No rooms are step free, but some have only a few steps.
ARRIVAL
Car parking is available on site. If arriving by train, bus no 2 runs from the station to the College every 30 minutes. Taxis are available from the station. We may be able to offer a minibus shuttle from the station, but this is yet to be confirmed.
You are welcome to arrive at the College from 14.00hrs on Sunday 9 August. On arrival, please go to the Information desk in the main reception area where you will be checked in and given your welcome pack. This will include a lanyard that must be worn on site. You will be shown to your accommodation and we will be running tours of the site during the afternoon.
The Music Week Information Desk will be staffed throughout.
Dinner will be provided on Sunday evening and then there will be an evening session for everyone to get to know each other and make some music.
ENSEMBLES AND PART ALLOCATION
Subject to the minimum number of participants, there will be up to 5 ensembles for people to participate in. We are aiming to accomodate players and singers of all standards, however who we can accomodate will depend on the combination of players who apply. In the application form we will ask you for your preference of ensemble but may offer you a place in a different one. Parts will be allocated for the whole week and not swapped around or doubled.- Advanced Symphony Orchestra – will rehearse all week and perform in the final public concert in The Forum in Bath, together with a chorus consisting of the music week choir, anyone else from the music week who isn’t in the orchestra and local singers. Conducted by our music director, Seb Valentine. Entry to this ensemble may be subject to selection by recorded audition if oversubscribed.Choir – will rehearse for a concert in the Prior Park Chapel on Wednesday evening. Singers will then join the chorus for the final concert. Conductor to be confirmed.
- Jazz Group – will rehearse for a jazz evening on Thursday. Venue to be confirmed. Jazz group will be led by our Blue Light Big Band regular leader, Mark Travers. Jazz group players may also be asked to play in the orchestra. Entry to this ensemble may be subject to selection by recorded audition if oversubscribed.
- Concert band – for wind players and those who enjoy band playing rather than orchestral playing. We hope to offer a performance opportunity in Bath. Entry to this ensemble may be subject to selection by recorded audition if oversubscribed.
- Mixed ability ensemble – this will accommodate any players who want to attend the week but are not in the other ensembles. It will be suitable for players of all abilities and experience who want to come and play. It will be very relaxed and sessions will be tailored to the group. We are delighted that conductor Helen Harrison will join us to lead this group. She is an excellent conductor and very experienced working with all sorts of music groups. There will be an informal performance by this group during the week. The players will be invited to join the chorus for Beethoven Symphony 9 or simply enjoy the final concert as an audience member.
You will state in your application your first and second choice ensembles and then sent an offer of a place in January 2026.
The Choir and mixed ability ensemble will not be subject to selection.
The chorus for Beethoven’s 9th Symphony will be open for additional singers to join rehearsals on Thursday and Friday to take part in the Saturday concert only.
GENERAL DAILY TIMETABLE (subject to change)
0700 – 0730 Wellbeing activity e.g. Yoga, stretching or meditation 0730 – 0830 Breakfast 0900 – 1030 Rehearsal 1030 – 1100 Break 1100 – 1230 Rehearsal 1230 – 1330 Lunch 1330 – 1630 Free time, including opportunities to play chamber music with each other or exploring Bath. 1700 – 1800 Rehearsal 1800 – 1900 Dinner 1930 – 2100 Social activities and informal solo/small group performances
CONCERTS
There will be three main concerts during the week.
Wednesday evening – Choral concert in the John Wood Chapel at Prior Park
Thursday evening – Jazz concert at a venue to be confirmed
Saturday afternoon – Final concert at The Forum in Bath.
Music for this final concert includes Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue played by international concert pianist Ivana Gavric and Beethoven’s 9th Symphony, Ode to Joy. The performance of Beethoven’s 9th Symphony will be an opportunity for everyone who has taken part in the week to perform together, with anyone who is not playing in the orchestra invited to sing in the choir. We hope this concert will be attended by many people from the emergency services community.
EVENING ACTIVITIES
After dinner, there will be optional social activities such as a quiz, informal solo and small group rehearsals and performances and talks and discussions about the music. A bar will be available. There will also be a designated quiet space for those who wish to relax.
SPORTS FACILITIES
Residents have use of the gym and swimming pool on site at certain times.
Picturesque walking and running routes start from the site.
FEES
We are committed to offering you this experience at the lowest possible cost. The prices below compare favourably to other residential music courses, which can cost up to £1300. Residential and non-residential fees include meals.
The residential fee is £700 - £800 depending on room choice
The non-residential fee is £450
BOOKING DEPOSIT AND PAYMENT INSTALMENTS
A £75 depisot is required before you complete your application form.
This is refundable if we are unable to offer you a place in your first choice ensemble and you choose to reject the place you are offered in an alternative ensemble.
50% of the outstanding balance will be due in March and a final payment in June 2026.
FURTHER INFORMATION
For further information please see our fact sheet below or email musicweek26@bluelightsymphony.org if you have any questions
Want to apply for your place now? CLICK HERE to pay your application fee and fill in the form now!
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