We are preparing a special residential retreat for the New Year, led by Chiara Cortez, Giulia Matteucci, and Camille Pascal.

An intimate and immersive experience in Calabria, from December 28, 2026 to January 3, 2027, dedicated to vocal improvisation, presence, and shared creation, as we transition into the New Year.

We will gather in a beautiful countryside home, immersed in nature, for a week of music, listening, and living together.

This retreat brings together three distinct approaches to vocal improvisation, shaped through teaching, performance, and community-building - offering a rare opportunity to experience them side by side.

Registration Form

*Please note that these prices are reserved for MuVola APS members. If you are not yet a member, you may become a member by filling out the form and paying a separate 10 euro membership fee:

Membership form for non-Italian residents

Membership form for Italian residents

⏳ Early Bird has been extended to October 20, 2026

• €960 per person in a shared triple room

• €1200 per person in a single room*

• €560 tuition fee only

⏳ Regular Registration and Supporter Registration is from October 21 to November 30, 2026.

• €1150 per person in a shared triple room

• €1350 per person in a single room

• €650 tuition fee only

Final Registration Deadline: November 30, 2026.

🌿 Participation options

You may choose between

• A residential formula (course, accommodation, and meals included)

• Or tuition only, arranging accommodation and meals independently

If you choose the residential formula, please note: there are only 8 sleeping places available on site, making this a particularly intimate experience.

Got any questions? Contact: opencirclesong@gmail.com

Reserve Your Place:

What We'll Explore

Nel Giardino di Circe is a retreat focused on collective vocal improvisation, exploring different ways of creating music spontaneously with our voices. These include conducted forms, such as circlesinging, in which one person guides the musical process, as well as non-conducted forms of collaborative vocal improvisation, in which musical ideas and structures emerge through the interaction of the group.

The retreat brings together three facilitators — Chiara Cortez, Giulia Matteucci and Camille Pascal — who will share different approaches and areas of research within vocal improvisation.

Our work will combine musical and technical skills with the individual and interpersonal skills involved in improvising with others.

The main areas of exploration will include:

• Musical skills and improvisation tools: Rhythm, harmony, melodic development, musical structures, spontaneous composition, and different approaches to organising and developing musical material in real time.

• Listening, attention and responsiveness: Developing awareness of how we listen, where we direct our attention, how we respond to musical impulses, and how our individual choices influence the collective improvisation.

• Conducted and non-conducted improvisation: Practising different forms of collective vocal improvisation, from those guided by a conductor to collaborative forms without a designated leader. We will explore the different musical and interpersonal skills involved in each approach.

• Collective intelligence and group mind: Exploring the processes involved in creating music without a predetermined structure or central direction, including shared decision-making, initiative, adaptability, mutual support and the ability to recognise and respond to emerging musical ideas.

• Voice, body and movement: Working with the relationship between vocal expression, physical awareness and movement, and exploring how these elements interact within individual and collective improvisation.

We will also dedicate time to reflection and feedback, including practices for sharing observations and personal experiences following an improvisation. This is an opportunity to examine not only the musical results, but also the creative and relational processes involved: how we make choices, interact with others and contribute to the development of a collective piece.

How the Week Will Be Structured

Each of the three facilitators will lead two sessions dedicated to her own areas of research and practice. These will be complemented by jointly facilitated sessions, allowing us to work across different approaches and explore aspects of collective vocal improvisation together.

The programme will include structured musical exercises, guided explorations, conducted and non-conducted improvisation, opportunities for experimentation and play, and moments of reflection and exchange.

While we have a vision for the general structure and main areas of work we'd like to delve into, the detailed content of some sessions will remain flexible. Certain pedagogical choices will be informed by the musical processes and group dynamics that emerge during the week, as well as by the composition of the group.

We also consider reflection an important part of the learning process. Time will be set aside to share experiences, exchange feedback and examine the musical and interpersonal aspects of our improvisations.

As this is a residential retreat, the schedule will also allow for rest, informal music-making and merrymaking, shared meals and free time.