JOIN US IN CROATIA!

Summer 2026

DELAWARE CHORAL SCHOLARS SUMMER SYMPOSIUM

WHY WOULD I WANT TO SING IN CROATIA?

We hear all the time how much people miss singing challenging repertoire in a really fine choir – especially once they graduate from college. With this project, we’ve created a singing vacation, with rehearsals in the morning and plenty of free time in the afternoons to enjoy this beautiful seaside town. If you love great food, fine wines, soaking in the sun, swimming in the Adriatic, or simply meandering the narrow streets amidst the local artisan boutiques, this program is for you!

And, of course, we assume you love great choral music as well. ❤️

WHEN IS IT?

Singers will arrive on June 23. The choir will rehearse each morning on June 24, 25, 26, 27, culminating in a concert on Sunday, June 28 at the lovely Italianate Baroque St. Euphemia church that sits atop the hill of the old town. Most participants will depart on Monday, June 29.

WHO’S IN THE CHOIR? (What are the qualifications?)

The program is built around members of the UD Schola Cantorum, a community-based choir at the University of Delaware open to singers of all ages and all levels of choral experience. But the choir is augmented by current music students and members of the award-winning Delaware Choral Scholars to make sure the ensemble is balanced for artistic performance. We anticipate having nearly 100 singers in a musical environment where community singers and choral scholars are matching about 1:1.

No audition is required if you have previous experience singing in a choir.

WHAT WILL WE SING?

Given that the project culminates in the beautiful St. Euphemia church with stunning acoustics, we will likely perform motets from the Renaissance and 19th century (e.g. Victoria, Mendelssohn, Bruckner) as well as more recent compositions by Paul Mealor, Morten Lauridsen, and Thomas Lavoy. We’re particularly excited about the recently restored Baroque organ in the ornate St. Euphemia Church, and open o do some works, with their organist as well.

What’s more, Welsh composer Paul Mealor will serve as our composer in residence, working a bit with the choir and providing insights on his compositional process

HOW DO I GET THERE?

Most people are flying into and out of Zagreb. We are providing a motor coach transfer from Zagreb to Rovinj on Tuesday afternoon, June 23, then back to the Zagreb airport on Monday morning June 29, in time for mid-day departures. (If you arrive in time, the transfers are included in the program fees.) There are also flights into nearby Pula, but most require tricky connections through Europe.

WHAT DOES IT COST?

The program fee for Singing Participants is $999.00. The program fee for non-singing companions is $499.00. The program fees include daily rehearsals with Paul Head, Paul Mealor, and Lori Geckle, the culminating concert, a tour of the old-town Rovinj, motor coach transfers to/from Zagreb, and the dinner party on the last night at a local bistro.

In addition to program fees, you will need to plan on

• Round trip airfare to/from Zagreb. In your application for the trip you will indicate if you are booking your own flights or if you’d like for us to book the flights for you. At this posting, current fares range from $1000 – $1350.00 RT from New York (Newark) to Zagreb.
• Lodging at one of the landside or island hotels. We are holding rooms at a local inn starting at $650 per person for 6 nights, double occupancy. (So, $1300 for two people in one room for six nights.) Currently, there are rooms available at both the Hotel Katarina and the Hotel Istra, (just a short ferry ride away from the old town) starting at $950 per person, double occupancy for 6 nights. If you wish to stay in one of the island hotels, we encourage you to click through the above links and book directly with the property, and you will also indicate your decision for such in the application below. If you wish to remain on the mainland in walking distance to the rehearsal venue, we can confirm those bookings for you.

ARE THERE SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE?

There are a few scholarships available to highly qualified singers capable of providing leadership within the choir. If you think this is you, reach out to Dr. Head at “pdhead@udel.edu” and we’ll send you additional details about that process.

ARE THERE OTHER DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE?

Occasionally, we’ll offer a short-term promotion on social media that provides a “promotional code,” though this is becoming less likely as the program reaches capacity. If you qualify for the promotion (and enter the appplicable code,) the discount will be deducted from your final balance due.

I’M READY TO GO! What do I do now?

CLICK THIS LINK (or the image below) to complete your official registration! If you have additional questions about this trip, please reach out to Amy (amyander@udel.edu) or Kathryn (kathrynq@udel.edu). CLICK HERE TO MAKE A PAYMENT.

Eager to see you… and hear you 😍, in Croatia!

Paul D. Head, Artistic Director of Delaware Choral Scholars