Britten Pears Arts partners with Royal Society of Musicians on new wellbeing retreat
A new fully funded residential programme at Snape Maltings will support music professionals whose careers have been affected by physical or mental ill health.
Britten Pears Arts has announced a new partnership with The Royal Society of Musicians to launch the Creative Practice Renewal Programme, a residential retreat focused on the health, wellbeing and long-term sustainability of people working across the music profession.
Developed with specialist input from the British Association for Performing Arts Medicine (BAPAM), the programme is open to performers, teachers, administrators, technicians and other music professionals who are unable to work or are finding it difficult to sustain their current practice because of physical or mental ill health.
Angie Lee-Foster, Programme Manager at Britten Pears Arts, said the initiative would help support musicians ‘at risk of leaving the profession due to physical or mental ill health’, while Charlotte Penton-Smith, CEO of The Royal Society of Musicians, said the partnership would enable music professionals to benefit from retreats in the ‘tranquil surroundings of Snape Maltings’.
Claire Cordeaux, CEO of BAPAM, said the programme would offer ‘a wonderful and unique opportunity’ for musicians to reflect on changes in their careers while also valuing and celebrating their creativity.
The five-day retreat will take place at Snape Maltings from 1 to 6 October and will combine creative reflection, coaching support, peer connection and restorative activities including guided rest, gentle movement and time in nature. Participants will also have access to input from BAPAM specialists, with assessments and personalised action planning where appropriate.
Places are fully funded and limited to a small cohort. Applications opened on 13 April and close on 31 May, with shortlisted applicants due to be notified by the end of June.