Dunblane Singing Break: 14–17 July 2008
Now in its eleventh year, this course offers opportunities to enjoy stimulating music-making in the beautiful surroundings of an historic Scottish town.
Dunblane Cathedral is a superb venue for daily services accompanied on the wonderful Flentrop organ.
Gordon Appleton directs the course, assisted by Chris Broughton, vocal tutor,
with Matthew Beetschen, organist of Dunblane Cathedral.
Singers who attend this course appreciate the opportunity to learn new repertoire, improve their music skills and value the fellowship and worship. Services follow the traditions of both the Church of Scotland and the Scottish Episcopal Church, and are led by clergy of different denominations. Much of the music used will be suitable for small choirs but there will be works to challenge too (in 2007 we included Give unto the Lord by Elgar).
We expect to welcome many singers from outside the UK to this course. The sharing of experiences by singers from church choirs all over the world is particularly valued by the participants.
Scottish Churches House, adjacent to the cathedral, provides excellent food and hospitality in twin-bedded rooms. An option of bed and breakfast in the city is possible. We meet on Monday for lunch, and finish mid-morning on Thursday.
Please note the booking arrangements for this course:
This course is organised by the RSCM Scotland Committee in partnership with Scottish Churches House.
Pay your deposit (£50) now to reserve your place. Places will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
Please note the terms and conditions.
Pay for the Dunblane Singing Break now using the PayPal secure payments system
There are four options available, depending on whether you want to include accommodation or not, and whether or not you are a Individual Member of the RSCM or a member of a church or choir that is affiliated (please note that Friends of the RSCM are not eligible for a discounted place). Please note that it may be more cost effective to join the RSCM than to pay the non-member price. See membership details here.
You can pay the full amount now, or a £50 deposit followed by the balance (to be received by 16 June).
- download application form (to be completed whether paying online or by cheque)
Please complete this form and send it to Brian Baker. You may either send your completed form by email or by post to the address on the form; in due course you will be able to complete all these details online.
Alternatively you may pay by cheque.
Download the application form above and send it with your cheque to the address on the form.
Is this course the same as in previous years?
Mainly, yes. The tutors are the same - Gordon Appleton, Chris Broughton and Matthew Beetschen - and the venue is still Scottish Churches House, Dunblane, with services in the Cathedral. The only difference is how it is being administered and who is taking the bookings.
Why is RSCM Scotland running the course instead of the RSCM centrally?
Until last year the RSCM administration office have handled bookings centrally as the Dunblane course has been one of the central courses. Now the RSCM is focussing on its core programmes and their supporting activities, and the small staff in Salisbury is working to enable this vital work to continue.
As from 2008, the Dunblane Singing Break is being run by RSCM Scotland in partnership with Scottish Churches House to ensure that this successful course continues; however, this has meant that we have had to set up everything almost from scratch. Hopefully, you will not notice too many differences.
Why is there a change in the way that I apply for the course?
In the past you will have applied by post using a leaflet form, on which you will have written your name and address details, together with your credit/debit card number, or you will have paid by telephone.
RSCM Scotland does not have the facility to take process credit card payments - the cost would be prohibitive.
Instead we use PayPal to take MasterCard/Visa credit card or debit card payments securely online – it doesn't cost you any more to pay using this method. You do not need a PayPal account to pay online.
How secure is this way of paying?
It is totally secure. We do not see your card details; they are all handled by PayPal's secure server.
How do I return the application form?
Please download the application form, then complete it and return it to us. If you have the facility to do so, you can scan your completed form and send it by email to dunblanesingingbreak(at)rscmscotland.org - if not then you can send a copy by post.
Why do I have to give my details twice online?
Unfortunately, for the time being you will be asked to fill in two website forms, one on the Dunblane booking form, and one on the PayPal pages. This is because there hasn't been time to get all the coding in place that would carry over the details from one page to the next. Sorry for the inconvenience. We will improve on this for the 2009 Dunblane course.
How easy is it to pay online?
It's really easy. See the next question for step-by-step instructions.
We launched the online payment system in January; in one month we have received 11 deposits and two full payments for the course.
How do I pay by credit card or debit card?
- Choose one of the buttons below, depending on whether you're coming as a resident or non-resident, and whether you are or are not a member of the RSCM. Decide if you want to pay the full amount in one go, or just £50 deposit now (the balance is due on 16 June).
- After you have clicked the "Add to Cart" button you will be taken to a page showing your "Shopping Basket". Here you can review your choice, make changes or go to the "Checkout".
- On the "Payment Information" page, you enter your name and address details as shown on your credit/debit card. If your home address or "shipping address" is the same as your credit card billing address, click the appropriate button and it will copy the details into the fields in the next section. Go to the bottom of the page and click on "Checkout" where you get a final reminder of your purchase. Click on "Submit Order".
- You are taken to the PayPal page where you will see some text on the left-hand side (above a group of credit card icons or pictures) that says "Don't have a PayPal account? Use your credit card or bank account (where available)." Click on the "Continue" link: this takes you to a page headed "Pay with Credit Card or Log In".
- Enter your details, including your email address (this is important, as the receipt for your payment will be emailed to you) and click on the button"Review Order and Continue".
- Finish making your payment.
How will I know that you have received my payment?
When you complete the payment on the secure PayPal site you will be taken to a page that acknowledges your payment and gives you a PayPal reference. You will also receive an email sent to the address that you gave when you entered your credit/debit card details.
What if I am unable to make the payment online?
You can still pay by cheque if you wish. Download the application form, complete it and send it with your cheque to the address on the form.
| Select the appropriate option | Pay full amount now | Pay £50 deposit | Pay balance |
|---|---|---|---|
residential (member): £237 |
£237 |
£50 |
£187 |
residential (non-member): £285 |
£285 |
£50 |
£235 |
non-residential (member): £164 |
£164 |
£50 |
£114 |
non-residential (non-member): £210 |
£210 |
£50 |
£160 |
For more information contact Brian Baker T: 01786 821294; E: dunblanesingingbreak(at)rscmscotland.org