ABOUT US

---

STUDENT LIFE

Most of the courses, which are residential and last from eight to ten days, are held at Leiston Abbey in Suffolk. The Abbey ruins and open countryside provide the backdrop for a group of buildings which have been restored or rebuilt by Pro Corda to house over fifty students and staff for each course. 

Abbey House, adjoining the abbey ruins, was built in Tudor times and has been added to by subsequent generations. It was a farm for several centuries and latterly a retreat house for the Diocese of Bury St. Edmunds. Most bedrooms are for single or double occupation with three larger rooms which comfortably sleep up to five.

Although the house is old and even quaint in parts it has been sympathetically converted to comply with modern fire and safety standards. Additional accommodation is available in the Guesten Lodge; most of these rooms have en-suite facilities.

Meals are served in another reconstructed building, the Guesten Hall, which is on the site of the hospice of the Premonstratensian Abbey and which houses the kitchens and dining room. Above the dining room is a small concert hall and recording studio.

The students have a common room in Abbey House with a kitchen from where staff provide snacks and hot and cold drinks at breaks and bedtime. There are plenty of books and board games and the snooker table is always very popular. Students are encouraged to use the beautiful grounds and sports pitch.

Popular activities on courses include quiz nights, talent shows, table-tennis and snooker competitions, treasure hunts, barbecues, board game contests, art and craft sessions, fancy dress dinners and film nights. The coaching staff often join in with these actvities, which can make for fun and sometimes highly embarrassing situtations!

On all courses students perform at the Abbey: the annual summer Cream Tea Concerts are very popular with the parents and the local audience. Concerts are given in neighbouring churches and at the Yacht Club. 2009 has seen Pro Corda take part in a series of lecture recitals given by the Britten-Pears foundation, exploring Benjamin Britten's juvenilia (works written up to the age of 18).

There have been regular visits to the Red House, Britten's home, which remains much as it was in his lifetime. It is thrilling to be able to handle original scores, play Britten's piano and see many of Britten's belongings. On hot days there may be a trip to the beach at Southwold or Aldeburgh.

PASTORAL CARE