The Canadian Renaissance Music Summer Schools organization has been expanding its activities over the last few years and I’ve been observing your progress and cheering you on. A multi-year expansion plan is finally coming to fruition in 2026 as the progression from weekend taster courses to full week events on both costs of Canada, combined with the continued success of the original Ontario event, reaches its completion.

This is an impressive testament to how effective these courses are at spreading and encouraging the appreciation of Renaissance polyphony and its performance at a high level. I, of course, fully support this and am delighted at your success.

I enjoyed my time as Guest Artist at CRMSS Ontario 2024 very much. Together we put on a rather thrilling performance of Thomas Tallis’ Spem in alium! Working with the “CRMSS International Scholars” students at that course, some of whom have gone on to appear with The Tallis Scholars, was also a highlight. I am therefore pleased to tell you of the expanded “CRMSS Scholars” program, this year taking place in Ontario but soon to be rolled out nationally, in which Canadian students will work closely with future cohorts of international students as a small ensemble first, and then join in the larger courses as leaders-from-within, complementing the excellent team of professional staff members. This promises to further increase the musical standards you reach on CRMSS courses and encourage talented young singers from across Canada to deepen their passion for Renaissance music.

It is also notable that the first ever week-long CRMSS course taking place in Atlantic Canada will be a full collaboration with UK vocal ensemble I Fagiolini, led by Robert Hollingworth. Robert makes a return to CRMSS, and will be joined by new international staff members, including soprano Rebecca Lea, who appears with The Tallis Scholars, and Peter Gritton, one of the UK’s leading composers, arrangers, and music educators.

Founder and Artistic Director of CRMSS Greg Skidmore is never a man without a plan(!), and I know there is much to look forward to, both in 2026 and in the years to come.

I wish you every continued success.

Peter

Peter Phillips
Director, The Tallis Scholars