Music summer retreat in East Groningen

• Full Immersion: A retreat dedicated to throat singing, overtone singing, and traditional Mongolian music, with a special focus on learning to play the Morin Khuur ("horsehead fiddle").
• Professional Guidance: Daily workshops led by Rowan Hartsuiker and Yesun Erdene-Bat, supported by Saran Myagmarsuren-Hartsuiker.
• All-Inclusive: Accommodation, three meals a day, workshops, wellness facilities, coffee, tea, fruit, and snacks – everything is included. Complete care, so you can fully focus on music and relaxation.
• Beautiful Surroundings: Plenty of stunning places to explore; singing by the water, in the beautiful forests, or out on open fields.
• Creative Space: Every day offers time to breathe, reflect, practice, make music together, or simply retreat for yourself.
• Wellness & Comfort: After a day of workshops, relax in the heated private pool, the whirlpool, or the sauna. The farmhouse not only offers peace and space but also luxury and comfort – a wonderful combination.
• Yoga & Massage: Yoga and massage sessions led by a specialist to support relaxation and enjoyment.
• Small-Scale & Personal: A maximum of 10 to 15 participants – ensuring a warm, friendly, and personal atmosphere, which is very important to us.

• Day 1: From the afternoon onwards, you are welcome at the farm in Ter Wupping. After a personal welcome, there is time to settle in peacefully: explore your room, walk through the garden, take a dip in the pool, or embrace the silence of the Groningen countryside. At the end of the afternoon, we gather around the long table for a warm welcome dinner. After dinner, Rowan and Yesun will guide you through an atmospheric introduction to Mongolian music: a first encounter with throat singing, overtone singing, and the Morin Khuur — supported by live demonstrations, stories, and visuals. A relaxed start to a special retreat.
• Day 2: We begin the day with breakfast, followed by a morning workshop where we open the breath, awaken the body, and take the first steps into the world of overtone singing. After lunch, we take a short walk to a nearby forest. There, we practice sounds in the open air, surrounded by rustling leaves and the rhythm of birds. After returning, there’s a short break, after which we hold the Morin Khuur for the first time. We discover how it sounds, how to hold it, and what it takes to bring your first notes to life. After dinner, we continue exploring the Morin Khuur in a relaxed evening session — listening, feeling, playing, and exploring.
• Day 3: After breakfast, we dive into Shakha and Isgeree Khuumei — styles of throat singing that echo water, wind, and whistling overtones. We walk to a naturally flowing river to practice these sounds in the middle of nature — together with the landscape. In the afternoon, there is time for relaxation: a swim in the pool, some time in the sauna, or reading a book under a tree. After lunch, we continue working with the Morin Khuur, deepening our melodies and exploring the interplay between singing and playing. In the evening, there is a gentle yoga session — outdoors or in the barn — where breath, body, and sound come together. Afterwards, there is space for repetition, refinement, and deepening of all we have learned.
• Day 4: We start the day with breakfast. Then, we focus on Kharkhiraa — the deep, resonant style of throat singing that draws its power from breath, belly, and earth. We practice this powerful technique at a quiet spot in the field or near the water. After lunch, we bring everything together: singing, instrument, improvisation, and melody. In a playful yet focused session, we work on ensemble playing and expression — building towards our closing moment. Later in the afternoon, there’s a moment for relaxation and care: a short individual massage session for everyone. Meanwhile, there’s time and space for those who want to practice further with the Morin Khuur or simply rest. In the evening, we walk together to a high viewpoint nearby — overlooking fields, woods, and rolling landscapes. We sing there one last time together, under the open sky. Back at the farm, we enjoy a final dinner, followed by free time for silence, music, sharing, or improvisation — a natural closing of our shared journey.
• Day 5: We start the morning with a final breakfast. Afterwards, there is space to share what these days have brought — in words, music, or silence. Perhaps we’ll take one last small walk or let a few final tones sound across the farmyard. Then, we say goodbye to each other, to this place, and to a special experience that goes far beyond sound alone.

Throughout the week, there will naturally be room for improvisation, spontaneous performances, jam sessions, campfires, and quiet moments whenever needed.