Even in this, our twenty-first year of summer singing courses, I still get a buzz out of welcoming new students, friends and colleagues to Ferrandou, and seeing and hearing them grapple with fresh ideas, new techniques and different approaches to all things vocal and musical - all in a friendly and supportive environment.

One of the greatest influences on me throughout my musical life, John Streets, will be joining us again. John has taught some of the greats of the British musical scene, including Sir Simon Rattle, Sir Andrew Davis and Dame Felicity Lott, and it is a great honour for us that he will be passing on his knowledge and experience to Ferrandou students this year.

Also returning is Valerie Guillorit, who started life as a baroque violinist in South West France, but now divides her time as a busy soprano and teacher at the Amsterdam Conservatoire and her own studio in Paris. She has a wealth of experience and practical good sense to pass on to young singers, and I am particularly pleased she is free to join us again this year.

Iain Farrington too is back supplying his flexible and stylish accompaniments on several pianos of different periods to enable us to discover again a more satisfying and historically informed sense of style and performance.

Brian Neubauer will be a new face at the early morning warm-ups. His background in dance and musical theatre will be called upon in various guises throughout the ten days.

The repertoire will be as wide as students wish ... and then we'll stretch it some!

Most meals will be taken at Ferrandou, cooked and served by MarieLou and Jean-Claude, recently retired from the Relais in Puybrun.

Places are again limited this year, so apply early and get your funding in place soon.

À bientôt!