Discover the universal joy of making music in the serene Spanish countryside.
MusicManKind and Cortijo El Tunante welcome you to our Music Making retreat. This 3 day interactive retreat at Cortijo El Tunante will be filled with musical artistry and enjoyment, specifically tailored for adults with autism and their assistants.
James Connelly from MusicManKind will host sessions throughout the weekend, leading everyone through the creative process of making music in a fun and entertaining way. High levels of musicality are not necessary, as the retreat is designed to unlock the innate musical potential that we all have. No experience necessary!
Working within a friendly, small group, guests will be able to take inspiration from the natural surroundings and work towards the composition and recording of an original song to take back home forever. Each two hour music making session will be spread over three days, comprising 5 parts in total. Guests will also have free time to relax by the swimming pool, or walk in the surrounding countryside.
A selection of guitars and percussion instruments will be available to try out - and everyone is encouraged to take part and create their own individual sounds. From the “Hello Song” through to the “Goodbye Song” and everything in between!
This very special retreat provides guests with a perfect balance of fun, music, relaxation and deliciously prepared meals to fill the day. All food is included on this fully catered retreat. Accommodation is for 6 guests in traditional Spanish cortijo, with 2 people (guest and assistant) each sharing three twin rooms. The hosts will work with the assistants to create a comfortable and inclusive environment for all those involved.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Stunning remote location
- 5 group music making sessions
- Tailored to autistic adults
- A selection of guitars and percussion instruments available
- Final song composition recorded to take away
- 3 nights accommodation
- 3 meals a day
- Swimming pool
- Airport transfers included
- Small group retreat with a maximum of 6 participants
PRICE
- £499 per person
Available Dates
Please contact us via the email link above to make a booking or request further information.
We will respond as soon as possible. Payments will be made through a secure credit card form.
Your Music Making Host
JAMES CONNELLY / MUSICMANKIND
James Connelly has been making music in various forms from a young age. Finding his natural voice in his teens, he started a musical journey that has taken him from songwriter to gigging in rock bands, TV advert work, performing on stage with Tom Jones at a charity event, and appearing on the BBC’s The One Show.
All the while, Jim has been dedicated to adult community care work - as a carer and volunteer looking after countless people with learning difficulties and autism, often those with severe disabilities. Eventually, his background in adult care fused with his long standing musical career, when he became lead singer and mentor of successful rock band The AutistiX. Under Jim’s guidance, the band (consisting of several young autistic musicians) have performed all over the UK and Spain, raising awareness of the condition and demonstrating that music is for everyone.
MusicManKind workshops have been running since 2010 after Jim appeared in a TV advert for Match.com with his trademark acoustic guitar singing an ‘accidental duet’. The song, entitled ‘That’s Just Me’ subsequently inspired Jim to ask his service users what their likes/dislikes were via the medium of guitar and voice. Responses from the group were surprisingly profound and positive from the outset. From that point on Jim continued to expand his repertoire of songs and work with organisations, schools and universities across London and the UK.
Jim’s gentle enthusiasm and infectious love of music is impossible to ignore - everyone is guaranteed to find joy in his music making sessions!
Retreat Itinerary
FRIDAY
- Welcome gathering and light lunch
- Intro group Session #1 - GET TOGETHER
- Evening meal
SATURDAY
- Breakfast
- Session #2 - TIME TO RHYME
- Lunch
- Free time
- Afternoon tea
- Session #3 - MAKING WAVES
- Dinner
SUNDAY
- Breakfast
- Session #4 - THE SONG IS COMING INTO IT´S OWN
- Free time
- Lunch
- Afternoon tea
- Session #5 - TAKE 5!
- Dinner
MONDAY
Breakfast, check out and transfers.
All sessions are included in the price but are not mandatory.
This is your weekend to enjoy!
Accommodation
Health & hygiene
Cortijo El Tunante is Covid-19 conscious and adheres to the local government guidelines. Visitors must be fully vaccinated OR please take a lateral flow test before arrival to prove negative. Hand sanitiser is made available throughout the property.
Accommodation
Cortijo El Tunante is 40 minutes drive from Malaga, situated amongst the olive and almond groves and rolling hills of Andalusia. It accommodates 6 guests in two casitas (small cottages). Casita Victoria sleeps 4 guests in two bedrooms. Casita Marcia sleeps 2 guests. Please note: each bedroom is for 2 guests sharing (guest + assistant).
Each casita has a lounge area, kitchen and modern bathroom with rainfall shower, equipped with eco-friendly toiletries. There is a pool, terraces, sunbeds, an outdoor bar area (with dart board), and plenty of space for everyone. There will be an opportunity to explore the surrounding countryside by foot. At night, enjoy watching the stars as you relax far away from light pollution and sounds of the city.
Food & Drink
Your hosts, Melissa and Michael will provide a light lunch and dinner on your arrival day, 3 meals on Saturday and Sunday and breakfast on the day of departure. Filtered water, tea and coffee are provided in the casitas' kitchens. In the evening there will be an honesty bar available, stocked with soft drinks, beer and wine. Please provide the hosts with any dietary requirements when booking.
Your Retreat Hosts
Melissa & Michael Bel Gil
The hosts of Cortijo El Tunante have been running their retreat deep in the Andalusian countryside for over 2 years.
Find out more at: cortijoeltunante.com/getintouch#about
General terms & conditions for retreats at Cortijo El Tunante
Insurance
Cortijo El Tunante is fully insured as a business with respect to Abbeygate España Corredores De Seguros Sociedad Limitada.
Health questionnaire
Every participant will be asked to complete a confidential health questionnaire before taking part in the retreat to advise your teacher of any health conditions they should be aware of.
Payment
A deposit of £250 per guest is required at the time of booking to secure your place on the retreat. The remaining balance is due 6 weeks before the retreat start date. All payments will be handled by Cortijo el Tunante.
Travel
Flights are not included. Please organise your own flights to Spain if travelling from outside the country. Transfers to/from the Cortijo from/to Malaga airport are included. We will provide further details of timings on booking.
Cancellation by a consumer
Should a guest be unable to attend a retreat, we will permit the booking being transferred to another person who satisfies all the conditions, subject to both persons accepting joint and several liability for full payment of the cost. Cortijo El Tunante must be given reasonable notice of the transfer request, which is considered to be at least 6 weeks prior to the retreat date. This allows for us to re-advertise the place should the guest be unable to transfer themselves. If neither the guest nor hosts are able to fill the spot, the original deposit is non-refundable. Illness and covid-related cancellations must be covered by travel insurance.
Cancellation by Cortijo El Tunante
In the unlikely event that we have to cancel your retreat for no fault of your own, we will notify you as quickly as possible and we will compensate you for any loss reasonably incurred by you as a result of our cancellation. The consumer is entitled to take a substitute retreat (if we are able to offer one) with monetary differences to be paid or refunded depending on the booking.
Our special terms relating to COVID
If a retreat is cancelled by us due to covid we will ask you to rebook another retreat without time constraint. Alternatively we ask that you seek a refund through your travel insurer if at all possible.
There is still uncertainty, particularly for overseas travel, so we will continue to take each day as it comes and stay in close communication with all those who have a retreat booked with us. Please ensure that you have the necessary personal insurance in place to cover you in case of illness or cancelled travel plans.
Teacher
If for any reason at all, a course teacher becomes unavailable we shall do our utmost to replace them with a leader of similar qualities and standards.
Flight Confirmation and Insurance
It is your responsibility to confirm your flight times with your airline before your outward and return journey. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are in possession of private travel insurance for both UK and overseas travel with protection for the full duration of the retreat in respect of medical expenses, injury, death, repatriation, cancellation and curtailment, with adequate cover.
Exclusions of Liability
Cancellations, delays or changes caused by war, threat of war, terrorist actions or threats, closure of airports, civil strife, industrial action, natural disaster, technical problems to transport, staff cancellations or other events beyond our control.
Loss of, or damage to, personal property of participants
If you have any complaints about the venue during the retreat please liaise with the teacher or your hosts directly in the first instance. Please ensure to raise any issues during the period of your retreat and we will do our best to help resolve any problems.