Choir Camp 2025 with Maureen Nolan at Dunfield House
Overview
Following the success of previous weekends with special guests including Suzi Quatro, Kiki Dee and Dana, Choir Camp is back for the seventh time, and we return to the idyllic Dunfield House.
Commencing on the Friday evening, a delicious buffet of home-cooked food is served as we mingle and settle in. We then sing a range of musical and vocal styles; conductor Matthew Jones is already writing six-part arrangements for the occasion. After some songs around the campfire and a nightcap or two, it’s ‘lights out’ before waking up to a full English breakfast, setting us up for a busy Saturday of music-making.
We have the exclusive run of the 19th-century mansion and its fifteen-acre grounds of rolling Welsh Border countryside. Requisitioned during World War II for American forces, Dunfield House was a bolthole for Winston Churchill for high-level meetings and elaborate dinners. Nearby Hergest Ridge inspired Mike Oldfield’s 1974 album of the same name and, according to local folklore, the chilling legend surrounding its Court was drawn upon by Arthur Conan Doyle for his classic The Hound of the Baskervilles. There’s time during the day to take a swim or wander through the labyrinth. In the evening, we don our glad rags and dance the night away, after a champagne reception and gala dinner.
A Sunday roast breaks up another day’s singing, culminating in a very special afternoon session with Matthew’s favourite Nolan, Maureen. Part of the Anglo-Irish girl group The Nolans, Maureen and her sisters got their first break on Christmas Day 1973 at The Cliffs Hotel in Blackpool. Numerous television appearances on the likes of It’s Cliff Richard and The Two Ronnies followed, and they even toured Europe with Frank Sinatra. Their 1979 breakthrough single “I’m in the Mood for Dancing” was the siblings’ first of seven UK Top 20 hits, including “Attention to Me”, “Who’s Gonna Rock You” and “Gotta Pull Myself Together”. They amassed over 30 million record sales worldwide, outselling The Beatles in Japan. Having been in every lineup of the group since its formation, Maureen is the longest-serving member. A gifted actress, she has also starred on stage in musicals such as Blood Brothers and Footloose, and will soon join the cast of Menopause the Musical 2.
Friends and family have the chance to enjoy a showcase of our efforts and join us for cream tea, before we say our goodbyes, until 2026. As far as Matthew’s concerned, there is no activity more inclusive than group singing, so whether you’re a complete beginner or seasoned professional, he invites you to join him in what promises to be yet another unforgettable experience.
Artists correct at time of publication and subject to change without notice.
Final payments are due by 25th April 2025 and there are no refunds for cancellation after this date, unless we resell your place
Includes
Residential Option:
- Two nights same-sex, hostel-style accommodation
- Full board
Non-residential:
- All activities except swimming pool access included, without meals or accommodation.
Location & Itinerary
Please note: Whilst this is not a Spice-exclusive event, the organisers will introduce members to each other and endeavour to keep us together when allocating rooms.
When booking the residential option, all meals will be provided. Please inform us of any special dietary requirements at the time of booking. If you choose to book the non-residential option, meals are not included.
Travel & Stay
Dunfield House: We have the exclusive run of the 19th-century mansion and its fifteen-acre grounds of rolling Welsh Border countryside. Requisitioned during World War II for American forces, Dunfield House was a bolthole for Winston Churchill for high-level meetings and elaborate dinners. Nearby Hergest Ridge inspired Mike Oldfield’s 1974 album of the same name and, according to local folklore, the chilling legend surrounding its Court was drawn upon by Arthur Conan Doyle for his classic The Hound of the Baskervilles.
| Type | Price | |
|---|---|---|
| Member Non Residential | £149.00 | Sold Out |
| Member Residential | £224.00 | Sold Out |
| Guest Non Residential | £199.00 | Sold Out |
| Guest Residential | £299.00 | Sold Out |
Not enough spaces left for you? Join the waitlist
Host & Everything Else
Member Feedback from Choir Camp 2024 with Suzi Quatro
- Thank you for an amazing weekend. This was my third choir camp and they just get better. Singing with Suzi was incredible and hope you were pleased with the results.
- Thank you SO much for a fabulous weekend singing with Suzi – we were buzzing on such a high when we left on Sunday!
- I've just had the most incredible Choir Camp weekend at Dunfield House with Matthew Jones and Suzi Quatro! Set in stunning grounds, Dunfield House was the perfect setting for this year's camp. The staff went above and beyond to make our stay special, handling the large group with grace, professionalism and efficiency. Special thanks to everyone involved—caring for so many is no easy task. The food was amazing. I had a fantastic group of people in my room, which made the weekend. I've been fortunate to meet so many wonderful people from past camps and make new friends. The rehearsal sessions were fantastic, with stand-in lead vocalist Lily-Rose who absolutely rocked. She helped our massive 100-person choir learn our cues before Suzi joined us for the final session. Suzi's performance was out of this world—what a voice and what a performer! And her comedic timing was spot-on. Matthew arranged "If You Can’t Give Me Love," "Can I Be Your Girl," and "Devil Gate Drive" into challenging and fun six-part harmonies. The end result was truly amazing; the sound was incredible. You just had to be there. A massive thank you to Matthew, who knew what he wanted from the start. He encouraged us to stay focused and give it our all, even when we were tired. His professionalism and energy made this an outstanding experience and an unforgettable showcase with Suzi. I'm absolutely shattered, but it was so worth it for the incredible experience of singing with Suzi Quatro. What a Master Class! Looking forward to Choir Camp 2025.
- I really enjoyed last weekend at Choir Camp. Presumably, Spice will be advertising this event again for next year
- A very big thank you for another spectacular Choir Camp. We stayed over in Hereford on Sunday night and were still singing Suzi songs. Can’t wait for next year.
- It was brilliant, thank you for putting it on. I feel really lucky to have been part of it
- Tremendous weekend Matthew. Fantastic socialising, singing under your direction of course and great gala entertainment and dinner. Everything appeared to go SWELL and I personally had a tremendous time, so did many others. Thanks to you and the team for all your hard work and support.
- I just wanted to thank you again so much for helping to make my dreams come true. I really enjoyed the camp, everyone was so lovely. I came away with a really warm feeling and still struggling to come down and concentrate on work…!
- I enjoyed the weekend hugely. It was so interesting to see how you built the performances up from scratch. And Suzi was wonderful - all the hair standing up on my head when she began. Truly an amazing experience.
- We had a Champagne dinner and I SUNG WITH SUZI QUATRO!!! I still cannot believe it!! I really enjoyed the weekend, it was fab. Loved meeting Matthew and met some really nice people. I really enjoyed the weekend much more than I thought I would
- I had the most amazing weekend, I learnt so much from Matthew Jones, Suzi and the lovely choir there, I have made some truly special friends too xx Suzi is the most beautiful person you could wish to meet, a pure joy to be in the presence of Greatness
Member Feedback from Choir Camp with Dana in 2023
- Hi Matthew, you probably won’t remember me because I was new to Choir Camp. I’m a West Berkshire Rocky and a mole for Spice 😎. Sorry I didn’t make the photo or say thank you personally but there was a very long journey ahead of me. I wanted to say a very big thank you to you for being so gifted and inspirational at the weekend. I loved all of it and can’t wait for next year. I’ve let Spice know what a spectacular event Choir Camp is x Melissa
- Hi Matthew, really enjoyed the weekend and the opportunity to take myself away from my usual busy life. The harmonies were amazing. Dana seemed a delightful lady and had a lovely voice. The addition of Lorraine Bowen was inspired.. she was good fun. I love a good party but I'm on a canal boat trip this weekend, so can't make it but a great invite, so thanks. Hope you have a fab time.🥳 Best wishes, Kim
- I attended the Choir Camp event at the weekend at Dunfield House and would like to say what an amazing event it was. Getting to sing with the lovely lady that is Dana was unbelievably special, all orchestrated and made possible of course, by the incredibly talented Matthew Jones, in what was a wonderful and unique experience. Since participating in the ‘Sing with Madeline Bell & the English Chamber Orchestra’ in February this year, I am completely addicted to singing. It is so uplifting and rewarding and something I never thought I would do. It has pushed me way out of my comfort zone but the impact of it has been immense and extremely positive. Each event with Matthew is an extraordinary and special occasion and Choir Camp was no exception.The concept, in my view, is genius! It brought together people of all abilities, and under Matthew’s expert and exceptional tuition, took us on an exciting learning journey throughout the weekend, culminating in a wonderful ‘showcase’ of music and singing, to an extremely high standard. Matthew’s arrangements of some of Dana’s iconic songs, with six part harmonies, singing them with the lady herself, the end result was stunning. I am still pinching myself … and so proud to have been part of it and of what we achieved. Where and when would most people have such an incredible opportunity as this? A gala dinner provided an added opportunity to personally meet with and chat to the Eurovision legend, who was full of praise for our accomplishments. A whole weekend of great fun, delicious food and lovely friendships, in addition to the wonderful singing, I am already anticipating and looking forward to next year’s event with great excitement. I would recommend it to all Spice members. Gill
- Just wanted to send an email to say I'm back from Choir Camp and to share that it was a brilliant weekend! I had such a good time. Very well organised and learn a lot, and great fun. Jayne
Gallery
