Information
90 singers, three groups
The approximately 90 participants will be divided into three groups. Each group (two mixed choirs and one ladies-only choir) will work with all three conductors during the week.
Besides these group rehearsals, participants will also sing in combined sessions (tutti/the big choir), also working with all three conductors.
We do expect all participants to prepare the music in advance. Practice files (mp3’s and pdf’s of the sheetmusic) will be provided as soon as we can deliver them. If everyone prepares, we can start to make real music much sooner!
Vocal Group
Extra ambitious singers can audition for the separate Vocal Group, which will consist of 10 – 12 singers. The Vocal Group will study songs that are extra challenging.
Auditions for the Vocal Group will be held before the start of the week, through video audition.
(the audition procedure for the 2026 edition will be announced later)
When candidates are considered equally capable, preference will be given to auditioners that have not been in the Vocal Group before.
Rehearsals for the Vocal Group will be at the same time as rehearsals for the big choir, so if you’re in the Vocal Group you can’t be in the big choir!
New singers, old friends
Usually, between half and two-thirds of all participants have participated before.
So if you are new to the Vocal Pop and Jazz Days, you will definitely not be the only new face in the crowd!
And if you have participated before, there will be lots of old friends to meet again!
The level of the VPJD is aimed at advanced amateur-singers.
Since we have participants from several different countries, the working language throughout the VPJD will be English.
Be warned: this is not a week to rest and relax after a busy time at work. You will work hard, but the rewards are great!
Workshops & Labs
During the week several labs and workshops will be offered.
We plan once again a series of ‘theory’ lessons in the form of labs, with an emphasis on the learning by doing.
There will be different subjects every day, and each subject will be tackled on different levels. You can choose your own level for each subject.
Final presentation
The official part of the Vocal Pop and Jazz Days will be concluded with a presentation at Kontakt der Kontinenten on the Friday afternoon.
This presentation is open to the public.
On the evening after that, we will celebrate the unofficial end of the Vocal Pop and Jazz Days with an open stage for all participants. Everyone who has an act or song or poem or (silly) dance they want to show to the group, can do so.
The open stage is for participants only, and not open to the public.
Start and end
The program is slated to start on Sunday August 9th 2026 with arrival and coffee from 9.30, an introduction at 11:30, lunch at 12.00 and the first rehearsal will start at 13:00.
It is practical to reserve half an hour for check in and settling in your room, so we advise you to arrive at 11:00 at the latest.
The program ends after breakfast on the next Saturday.
If you have trouble reaching the venue on time on Sunday, or would like to stay an extra night before leaving after the week, it is usually no problem to book an extra night with Kontakt der Kontinenten.
A day in the life…
To get to know the Vocal Pop & Jazz Days, here’s “a day in the life…”.
Of course every new edition we make some changes (hopefully we improve…), but roughly we do it this way:
- 8.00 Breakfast
- 9.00 Warming up and announcements
- 9.30 Group rehearsal
- 10.30 Coffee break
- 10.45 Group rehearsal
- 11.45 Labs
- 13.00 Lunch
- 14.30 Group rehearsal
- 15.45 Coffee break
- 16.15 Big choir & Vocal Group
- 17.30 Free time
- 18.00 Dinner
- 19.30 Big choir & Vocal Group
- 21.00 Bar-time
On Wednesday we have an afternoon off.
So, what will the VPJD cost me?
The participation fee for the VPJD edition of 2026 is € 995,- per person.
(€ 745,- for students of a music related subject and under 30, for a maximum of 4 students)
The standard fee is on the basis of sharing a double room.
A supplementary fee will be charged for a single room (if available).
The fee includes:
- All rehearsals, labs and workshops.
- Vocal Group (when you pass the audition).
- All sheet-music for the choirs you sing in. For all songs, you will receive a link to a pdf, which you can print yourself if you wish to.
(Be sure however not to use the VPJD sheet music in your own choir without contacting the arranger for the due license fee.) - Full board and lodging.
Only the drinking in the bar at night is not included.
What happens after I enroll?
- Within a few days (max. 7 days) you’ll receive an e-mail, confirming your enrollment and with some more details about the VPJD and the enrollment process. Check your Spam-folder if you didn’t get this confirmation e-mail, and if it isn’t here either, contact us!
- February 2026 we will let you know if you are accepted as a participant or if you are placed on the waiting list.
- When you are accepted as a participant, we will send you an invoice. After complete payment of the registration fee, your registration is final.
Terms & Conditions VPJD 2026
These terms and conditions are published in pdf-format.
Use a pdf-reader (e.g. » adobe reader) to open these documents.