NICW ’25
SECOND ANNUAL NICARAGUA INTERNATIONAL CHORAL WORKSHOP FEBRUARY 1-17, 2025
Join this highly original international singing expedition to one of Central America’s most beautiful countries.
Home to a rich culture of music, dance, culinary arts, outdoor living, and more, Nicaragua is an emerging destination gaining international attention for its unspoilt natural beauty, perfect climate, and laid-back atmosphere, offering unique access to both the equatorial and Latin American world.
"Nicaragua is paradise"
– Barbara, 2024 participant
The Nicaragua International Choral Workshop (NICW) ’25 blends singing and tourism with residencies in two of Nicaragua’s most important locations: the colonial city of Granada on the shore of Lake Nicaragua, and San Juan del Sur, the rustic mecca for surfers, backpackers, and artists, nestled between coastal foothills on the shore of the Pacific Ocean.
The NICW musical selection of repertoire will support an authentic experience of cultural exchange, featuring compositions and arrangements that are both familiar and fresh to participating choristers and audiences in Nicaragua alike.
"NICW rehearsals were a learning delight"
– Tonia, 2024 participant
Complementing its musical itinerary, the NICW includes excursions to natural and historic sites such as Hermosa and Maderas beaches, anthropological museums, Granada’s famous chocolate factory, the Cristo de La Misericordia statue overlooking San Juan del Sur Bay, and more.
Additional optional excursions include visits to Ometepe Island, Masaya Volcano, the Laguna de Apoyo Nature Reserve, Catarina market, the Granada Islands, a butterfly sanctuary, and opportunities for birdwatching, kayaking, surfing and boogie boarding, canopy zip-lining, sloth-sighting, and more.
Join the NICW ’25 for an unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime, experience.
WORKSHOP OVERVIEW
Tour Overview
- Dates: Feb 1 – Feb 17, 2025 (16 nights/days)
- Destinations: Cities of San Juan Del Sur (SJDS), Granada, and Rivas.
- Cost: $3,500.00 USD (HST included)
- Registration Deadline: October 15, 2024
- Included: Flights, accommodations, bus travel, 50% of meals, musical activities, select* excursions.
- Musical Performances: In churches, schools and historic sites in SJDS, Rivas, and Granada.
- Repertoire: A cappella and accompanied selections in English, Latin, Spanish and French tailored to abilities of registered ensemble. Inquire for details and updates.
- *Included Excursions: Hermosa beach, Rivas natural history and revolutionary museum, chocolate and cigar factories in Granada, Cristo de La Misericordia statue hike: guided tours of SJDS, Rivas, and Granada: and more.
- Optional Excursions: Trips to Ometepe Island and the Masaya Volcano crater (see molten lava flowing!), a private catamaran ocean coastline boat cruise, day trips to beaches, nature reserves, and more.
- Tour Leaders: Roland Graham as musical and general tour director in collaboration with Uniglobe CBO Travel for flights and Golden Tours Nicaragua for ground transportation and excursions.
"Far better than your average holiday-in-the-sun"
– Hope, 2024 participant
ITINERARY AT A GLANCE
- Feb 1: 7 AM Depart from YOW / 3 PM arrival in San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua
- Feb 2: Free day, SJDS
- Feb 3: AM rehearsal / Afternoon trip to Playa Hermosa (included)
- Feb 4: AM rehearsal / Free PM
- Feb 5: AM rehearsal / 7 PM Concert #1 (SJDS)
- Feb 6: Free day / Day trip to Ometepe Island (optional)
- Feb 7: AM Bus to Rivas / PM Rehearsal / 7 PM Concert #2 (Rivas)
- Feb 8: AM Revolutionary Museum / PM Bus to Granada / Free Evening
- Feb 9: Free day / Sunday Mass / 5 PM Granada Island Boat Cruise (optional)
- Feb 10: AM Rehearsal / Free PM / 7 PM Concert #3 (Granada, Capilla Maria Auxiliodora)
- Feb 11: AM Rehearsal / Free PM
- Feb 12: AM Rehearsal / Free PM / 7 PM Concert #4 (Granada, Iglesia la Merced)
- Feb 13: AM Bus to SJDS / Free PM
- Feb 14: AM Hike to Cristo Statue / Free PM
- Feb 15: Free day / NICW Talent Show
- Feb 16: Sunday Mass / PM Catamaran cruise
- Feb 17: 9AM Depart SJDS / 1 PM Fly home
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
NICW Participants should be experienced choral singers, with a background in church, school or community choirs interested in deepening their musical skills and possessing adaptability to sing and perform in a warm climate along with a keen sense of adventure and comfort with international travel.
Because we will be performing primarily in Roman Catholic churches, tour repertoire will favour sacred choral music compatible with Roman Catholic and Latin American cultural sensibilities. Repertoire will be finalized as participants are confirmed, with an opportunity to consider participants’ requests.
A set of pre-tour training sessions will be organized in November, December and January for participants to learn the music before departing for the workshop. The schedule for this will be set in the early fall, involving up to 8 sessions.
“Well-chosen music and a memorable overall experience that certainly exceeded expectations!”
To confirm participation, participants must pay a $500 (USD) deposit and then establish a payment plan to pay the balance in full prior to departure. The deadline to register and pay a deposit for the NICW is October 15, 2024. NICW prices are set in USD.
The workshop requires a minimum of 16 participants in balanced voices to proceed. If there is not sufficient enrollment to run the workshop by the registration deadline of October 15, 2024, deposits paid will be refunded in full.
The cancellation policy allows for people to withdraw, less a $250 USD admin fee, up until flights are confirmed and purchased (on December 1), after which the airfare portion of the fee (up to $1500 USD) will be non-refundable. Cancellation insurance for flights are available through Uniglobe CBO Travel.
Flights from Ottawa to Nicaragua (on Air Canada) are being handled by Uniglobe CBO Travel. Ground travel (coach) and excursions will be coordinated by Golden Tours Nicaragua. NICW operators carry general tour insurance only. Medical and other specialized insurance against risks of travel are participants’ exclusive responsibility.
NICW fees are calculated assuming standard shared (double rooms) accommodations. Participants can request private rooms or other accommodations for additional cost.
Non-singing accompanying participants (spouse/partner/family member/close friend) may join the tour – as space permits – for cost of $3,000 – $3,500 USD depending on accommodation arrangements requested.
There are a maximum of 24 places in the NICW ’25 available. Reach out here if you have any questions, or complete the form below to apply to join the tour.
Download NICW '25 Documents
NICW ’25 Daily Itinerary
NICW ’25 Participant’s Risk Waiver
"The NICW was one of the best trips I have taken because it combined my favourite things – making music, spending time on the ocean, and mingling with the locals. The quality of the music that we delivered was very high compared to other choir trips I have been on, making it all the more pleasant. Bravo Roland!"
– Marjorie, 2024 participant
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