Singing and voice

July 20 – July 26, 2025

Course leader: Saga Björling

Welcome to a song week lifted and carried by sisterhood and chorus. We will do in-depth intonation exercises in groups. Among other things, we will learn folk songs from different times and different parts of the world. We will test different singing techniques and playfully experiment with what the voice and breath can do when we give them time and space. We will gather around the fire and teach each other songs. The course is aimed at women and non-binary people and is led by Saga Björling, who is otherwise the musical director of the women's choir Hysteria. With this course, she wants to help you find inspiration and security in your own voice. Maybe you haven't sung much before. Perhaps you have sung a lot, but yearn for more glow, color and joy in your singing. No matter what: a warm welcome. Our differences are an asset in the soundscape. Let's sing together.

Course fee

The course fee is SEK 5,500

If Capellagården has to cancel the course, you always have the right to get back the course fee you have paid. If you need to withdraw your offer due to obstacles or illness, a refund will be made with 50% of the course fee.

Please note that board and lodging are not included in the course fee, but are booked and paid for separately after admission. Material costs for individual works may be added and paid on site.

Application and admission

Who can apply for the course?
You will enjoy the course the most if you have sung at least a little before. The course is suitable for everything from professionals to those who mostly sang at home. It's always okay to sing wrong, but it's good if you hear when it happens. It is an asset for the group and the course that we are in different chapters of our singing journeys.

You who search Capellagården's summer courses must be 18 years of age, except for the children/youth courses.

How do I apply?
Link to application form.

ATTENTION! When you have submitted your application, you will only receive a confirmation on the screen. You will not receive an automatic confirmation of your application via email, but you have the option to fill in that you would like a copy of your application via email in the application form. After you have submitted your application, you will be redirected to Capellagården's website.

How is the selection of course participants done?
We apply continuous admission. When a course has enough applicants to fill course and reserve places, we close the possibility to apply for the course. Some courses quickly receive a large number of applicants. The selection for the course is based on your motivation in the application and the desire to have a spread in the group.

When will I receive a response to my application?
We will provide feedback on an ongoing basis. That is, the time it takes to receive notification can vary. Notification is sent via email. 
The first e-mails with notifications will be tentatively sent out during the month of February. Upon admission, information is given about payment and confirmation of course place. In case of non-payment, we offer the course place to the next person in line. In connection with admission, it is possible to book and pay for board and lodging. 

Why is there a delay in answering my question?
Send your questions and concerns to sommarkurser@capellagarden.se. We will reply as soon as we can, so please be patient if it takes a few days.
No previous knowledge required.

Board and lodging

In connection with admission, you are offered possibility to book and pay for board and lodging during the course week. There are about ten different houses on the "storgården" with close proximity to workshops and the Vingårdsalen. The rooms are varied with a simple standard. The houses have access to a shared kitchen, shower and toilet. Many houses/rooms thus have shared bathrooms. Full board is included for everyone who lives at Capellagården and our shared meals are largely based on vegetables from our organic garden. 

Cost of board and lodging in a single room:
Board and accommodation for one week: SEK 5,300
Bed linen is included in the fee.

If Capellagården has to cancel the course, you always have the right to recover all fees for board and lodging. In case of cancellation, we charge an administrative fee of SEK 500. 

We are usually able to offer rooms to anyone who wishes, but unfortunately cannot give any guarantee. If we are unable to offer you accommodation during your course period, you will receive information about this in your acceptance letter.

If you have arranged your own accommodation and want to eat together with your coursemates, it is fine to buy individual meals. The price is then:
Breakfast SEK 85, Lunch or dinner SEK 130, Cheese tray (end) SEK 160.
Coffee and shared coffee are included in the course fee

Bring to the course

Paper and pen. Comfortable clothes. Warm clothes, if we want to sing in nature and the weather doesn't make it easy for us. Water bottle. Plus points (but not a must) if you bring some songs you've sung in your life or enjoy.

Course start and end

Sunday, course start
On Sunday, the course starts for everyone. Arrival time and check-in takes place from 15.00 – 16.45. Meeting place in the school courtyard in front of the yellow mangård building. Afterwards, a simpler dinner is served in the Vingårdsalen. Roll call and joint start together with everyone on your course takes place at 18.00, also in the courtyard.

Course week
The course day starts at 8.30 and ends at 16.30. On certain days, you may be invited to a joint meeting/lecture in the morning or evening. Work in workshops and the garden is also permitted outside of teaching hours according to our workshop policy, which you will get well in place. 

Friday, the last day of the course
During the day, workshop cleaning and course evaluation are included. The course ends with a concert in Capellagården's garden cafe on Friday evening.

Saturday, the return day
Breakfast is served and uCheck-out takes place no later than 11.00. 

Language

The language of instruction on the course is Swedish. However, summaries in English may appear.

Saga Björling

Saga "Starur" Björling is a singer, multi-instrumentalist and choir director. She has been seen and heard in bands like Poeta Magica, Rotation, Jordbrand and in her own projects like Starur. With a love for folk singing techniques from different parts of the world, she creates music and incubating spaces where the line between audience and sometimes artist is blurred. As leader of the women's choir Hysteria, she leads singing processes where freeing the voice is the focus. Harmony, sisterhood and storytelling meet unique arrangements in inviting and magical soundscapes.

saga.starur@gmail.com