A perfect mix of daily singing, delicious food and enjoying the delights of this magnificent property! This singing workshop week will be lighthearted with a great balance of singing, exercise, delicious food and laughter.

Tony Backhouse, BA, B.Mus, is one of the leaders in the Australasian a cappella movement.
He founded Australia’s foremost a cappella gospel choir Café of the Gate of Salvation in 1986, and directed it for 21 years. He arranged and composed the bulk of their repertoire and still writes music regularly for them. He founded a cappella choir the Honeybees and has directed and sung with reclusive male a cappella group the Heavenly Light Quartet since 1996. In demand for his inspiring teaching style, Tony has run more than 2000 vocal workshops throughout the world for the public, for festivals, schools, universities, churches, organisations and corporate training events. 

"Backhouse is Australasia's premier arranger and teacher of a cappella gospel. Tim Finn says he is quite simply the finest vocal arranger he knows and Sam Neill reckons he's a national treasure." - Roi Colbert, New Zealand Listener

This event is suitable for shower singers to stage performers.

"I went to meet and sing with like minded people and I found it uplifting, surreal and mind blowing!." - Julie Richardson, South Australia

You can start your day with a walk along the cyprus tree lined medieval roads that surround Montestigliano or a swim in one of the pools on the property.

If your partner wants to come and is not a singer we have plenty of choices of activities for you. CYCLING, COOKING, WALKING, SWIMMING or simply explore this picture perfect environment with your camera or canvas.

See the proposed day programme below.

The programme

DAY 1, Saturday, September 16th

Pick up: Saturday September 16th at 5pm - Outside Hotel Excelsior in Piazza Gramsci Siena

Settle into your room.

6pm. Meet in the Piazza to go to our workshop space on the property for a one hour singing session.
Meet at 7.30 pm in the piazza for an Italian feast outside if weather permits.

Day 2, 3, 4, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday

Help yourself to breakfast food supplied in your villa.

Meet for a singing session at 9:30am.

Singing with Tony from 9:30 till 12:30 with coffee and tea breaks.

Singing sessions will be held in the forest or in the old granary 'granaio' that is used as an art gallery. We will inform you the night before.

Lunch in the Piazza or our villa dining room.

3:30 - 6:30 pm Singing

Meet at 7:30 pm in the piazza for an Italian feast outside if weather permits.

DAY 5, Wednesday

Meet in the Piazza after breakfast at 10:30 to go on a tuscan tour. Details to be confirmed soon.
As part of this tour we will visit the Abbey of Sant'Antimo (Abbazia di Sant'Antimo). The church dates from the 12th century and at 12:45 we will hear the monks carry out their regular singing of prayers in Latin (Vespers) or Gregorian chanting if time lines up with their schedule. To Be Advised.
Further details of where we will go on the tuscan tour will be available soon. 

DAY 6, Thursday

Help yourself to breakfast food supplied in your villa.

Meet for a singing session at 9:30am.

Singing with Tony from 9:30 till 12:30 with coffee and tea breaks.

Lunch in the Piazza or our villa dining room.

3:30 - 6:30 pm Singing.  

Meet at 7:30pm in the piazza for an Italian feast outside if weather permits.

DAY 7, Friday,

Help yourself to breakfast food supplied in your villa.

Meet for a singing session at 9:30am.

Singing with Tony from 9:30 till 12:30 with coffee and tea breaks.

Lunch in the Piazza or our villa dining room.

3:30 - 6:00 pm Singing.  

Meet at 7:30 pm in the piazza for an Italian feast outside if weather permits and a concert with special guest performer.

We have the option to perform at this concert and celebrate our week together. A wonderful finale.

DAY 8, Saturday, 23rd September

Drop off: Arrive back at our original meeting place at 11:00 am Outside Hotel Excelsior in Piazza Gramsci Siena

Travel and Accommodation (Suggestions for before or after the event)

Please note that if you are coming from Australia or New Zealand you should arrive in Europe at least 3 days before the event so you can recover from jet-lag and fully enjoy yourself.

Click here to download the most up-to-date travel information>>

Music Scores

"The only thing better than singing is more singing" - Ella Fitzgerald

Music scores will be available on request before you travel, it will not be neccessary to practice though. You can Download This Heart of Mine now to keep you going!>>

Other Events with Tony Backhouse

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