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More Opportunities- Do you run an Early Music singing or playing group in this area that's looking for new members?
- Are you an Early Music soloist looking for someone to accompany you? - Are you wanting to set up an Early Music singing or playing group with like-minded people in the Border Marches area? Whatever you're looking for, this page is for you. Click here to E-mail the Chairman with your request, and it will be posted here. |
Rory Wainwright Johnston weekend workshops 6th-8th June, and again (same programme) on 5th-7th September in the Yorkshire Dales. Rory is a former Musical Director of Cantores Olicanae in Ilkley (of which I am Chair) and now works in Berlin as a composer and choral conductor. He visits the UK regularly to run choral workshops and courses, particularly in Early Music - in Ludlow, Edinburgh, York, Swanage.
The workshops will be held at High Trenhouse, a beautiful, exclusive-use management centre/retreat on glorious Malham Moor. The group will number no more than 18 (SATB); the music will all be a cappella, and the title of the event is 'An Elizabethan Songbook'.
We arrive at teatime on the Friday and leave after (a splendid home-cooked) Sunday lunch! A little wriggle room is built into Saturday's schedule to allow for a mooch along the lane or around the grounds.
For June, we still have space for tenors and basses - and we could squeeze another alto! For September, there is more availability across all parts. Click here for more details.
Round Byrd, which is the occasional choir at St Mary’s Church in Ross-on-Wye. We are made up of experienced singers from across the West of England and South Wales, focussing on the “performance” of English Cathedral Music from the 16th and 17th Centuries in a liturgical context. We get together once a term, to rehearse and sing evensong in a single afternoon. New singers are always welcome to come to a single event or to more, all that we ask is that you are able to read music and be prepared to do a little preparation at home to learn notes before coming along to polish and perform the music on each occasion. For more information click here: rossparishes.uk/music/round-byrd (Posted March 25)
BMEMF member Lucy Green runs a small consort of voices called Hay Madrigals. They have now joined up with the Ystradivarius String Ensemble, and perform early music with strings and basso continuo. They are looking for more singers in any part. Their website is www.haymadrigals.org and their Facebook page is www.facebook.com/haymadrigals. Do please contact them on [email protected] if you're interested in a chat. (Posted May 2024)
Weekly, Wednesday morning classes in Playford-style dancing, 10-12 in St Peter’s Church Hall, Glasbury, three miles west of Hay on Wye, tutored by Margaret Gill. We learn dances from different British regions, their historical context and the regional variations. We also have a lot of fun. Beginners and more experienced dancers all welcome. £3 a session with the first taster session free.
For more information call Susan Warne 01544 327337. Email [email protected]
(Posted May 2022)
There are three Early Music Groups that meet at the Chepstow Community Music Centre, Wyedean School, Chepstow NP16 7AA: the Early Music Group, Renaissance Brass and Madrigal Singing groups.
The Early Music Group meets alternate Thursdays during school term time, 6.30pm-8pm, playing repertoire from 1150-1750 mostly on modern instruments including recorder, harp, lute (inc. guitar, mandolin, mandola), violin family and keyboard.
The Madrigal Singing and Renaissance Brass groups are monthly groups with flexible dates.
Contact: Jayne, 07379 817 817 or [email protected] (Confirmed January 2023)
Classes in Medieval, Tudor and Regency dance are held each Thursday evening (8pm – 10pm) and on Wednesday morning (10.30 – 12.00) in the Invision Studio, Burgess Street, Leominster. Beginners of any age welcome - come and give it a try! Contact Maureen Crumpler on 01568 613477 or email: [email protected] (Updated January 2023)
The Wales group of the Society of Recorder Players organises monthly playing days which visitors are welcome to attend. No need to book. Visit their website for details. (Updated October 2021).
Are you looking for the chance to play or sing informally with an accompanist using an appropriate keyboard instrument, singly or perhaps in a small group? Or are you a player (or potential player) who would like to explore some early keyboard instruments?
John Erskine has a fine range of keyboard instruments suitable for early music – a virginals, a clavichord, a chamber organ and an organ console with Hauptwerk software (giving ‘virtual’ access to several famous early organs in Europe). He is generously offering the use of these at his home, and would be very pleased if those who are interested would contact him.
John lives in Malvern and hopes there may be other members of BMEMF who would like to share informal music-making in that area. Email [email protected] (Confirmed January 2023)
Con Anima Singers, a small and friendly a cappella ensemble specialising in early music, meets three times a month on Wednesday evenings in Bishop’s Castle. They are looking for new voices in all sections. There is a charge of £10 per month to cover running costs. Please contact George Baker, 01547 520271, email: [email protected] (Updated January 2023)
The Fellowship of Makers and Researchers of Historical Instruments (FoMRHI) was founded in 1975 as an organisation of people concerned with historical musical instruments. Its aim is to promote authenticity in the preservation of original instruments, in making reproductions of such instruments, and in their use. Membership is open to anyone interested in any of these aims. All members receive FoMRHI Quarterly, which includes a bulletin of notes and news, requests for and offers of information, replies and questions, and a number of papers, called Communications or 'Comms'. These are of varying length and range from the speculative to the thoroughly researched, and from the practical to the theoretical and the philosophical. They include book and other reviews, detailed information on how to make useful gadgets, instrument design information, and debates on previous Communications. If you'd like to find out more, please visit the website www.fomrhi.org (Updated 2nd August 2016)
The New Titley Philharmonic Orchestra (aka the Titley Phil): We meet on a Monday afternoon at Titley Village Hall (between Presteigne and Kington) to play mostly 17th and 18th century music under the tutelage of David Hatcher. David, as you will probably know, is the talented player of many period instruments and an amusing and informative tutor/conductor.
Occasionally, as a real treat, we get to accompany him in a gamba concerto but we also (any of us that feels that way inclined!) get the opportunity to play the concertante parts in concerti grossi and/or the solo in a concerto.
Violinists and Viola players are always welcome, but at the moment we are looking - in particular - for a bassoonist and a double bass player. Players need to have a minimum playing standard of Grade VI and to be confident sight-readers. We rarely perform. David works us very hard, giving us plenty of sectional tutoring in period style and technique, in the friendly and supportive company of the rest of the orchestra.
Anyone interested can contact Annie Nethercott on 01547 560369 or David on 01568 611643. (Confirmed January 2023)
Lion Choir: an informal practice choir for people who enjoy singing but do not wish to perform in public. Meets at 6:00pm in Leominster at The Forbury for about 90 minutes. Music provided. Charge of £8.00 per evening. Contact David Hatcher: [email protected] or 01568 611643 / 07817 741904 (Confirmed January 2023)
Shropshire Harmony Quire is a small west gallery quire, meeting monthly at Lydbury North village hall in South Shropshire. We welcome new members, whether singers or instrumentalists.
Repertoire
The music of the west gallery or ‘hymnody’ tradition is very melodic in structure. Some is rousing while some is unbelievable beautiful. This vivacious and contrapuntal style of singing and playing was popular with parishioners who wanted to do more than sit in silence during services. Eventually, the singers and musicians of the west gallery were replaced by the church organists, the old hymns were replaced by Hymns Ancient and Modern and much of the works disappeared till the revival movement of the late 20th century.
For more information about the Quire, go to http://www.shropshireharmony.org.uk/ and click on the ‘join us’ tab. Alternatively,
e-mail the Secretary direct on [email protected]
Director
Andy Watts studied baroque bassoon and recorder at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and the Royal Conservatoire in The Hague. He has played with The Academy of Ancient Music, the English Concert, The London Classical Players, The English Baroque Soloists and was principal bassoon of the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment for many years. He also played for Nikolaus Harnoncourt’s Concentus Musicus in Vienna. He teaches at the Royal Academy of Music and Birmingham Conservatoire.
(Updated February 2025)
The workshops will be held at High Trenhouse, a beautiful, exclusive-use management centre/retreat on glorious Malham Moor. The group will number no more than 18 (SATB); the music will all be a cappella, and the title of the event is 'An Elizabethan Songbook'.
We arrive at teatime on the Friday and leave after (a splendid home-cooked) Sunday lunch! A little wriggle room is built into Saturday's schedule to allow for a mooch along the lane or around the grounds.
For June, we still have space for tenors and basses - and we could squeeze another alto! For September, there is more availability across all parts. Click here for more details.
Round Byrd, which is the occasional choir at St Mary’s Church in Ross-on-Wye. We are made up of experienced singers from across the West of England and South Wales, focussing on the “performance” of English Cathedral Music from the 16th and 17th Centuries in a liturgical context. We get together once a term, to rehearse and sing evensong in a single afternoon. New singers are always welcome to come to a single event or to more, all that we ask is that you are able to read music and be prepared to do a little preparation at home to learn notes before coming along to polish and perform the music on each occasion. For more information click here: rossparishes.uk/music/round-byrd (Posted March 25)
BMEMF member Lucy Green runs a small consort of voices called Hay Madrigals. They have now joined up with the Ystradivarius String Ensemble, and perform early music with strings and basso continuo. They are looking for more singers in any part. Their website is www.haymadrigals.org and their Facebook page is www.facebook.com/haymadrigals. Do please contact them on [email protected] if you're interested in a chat. (Posted May 2024)
Weekly, Wednesday morning classes in Playford-style dancing, 10-12 in St Peter’s Church Hall, Glasbury, three miles west of Hay on Wye, tutored by Margaret Gill. We learn dances from different British regions, their historical context and the regional variations. We also have a lot of fun. Beginners and more experienced dancers all welcome. £3 a session with the first taster session free.
For more information call Susan Warne 01544 327337. Email [email protected]
(Posted May 2022)
There are three Early Music Groups that meet at the Chepstow Community Music Centre, Wyedean School, Chepstow NP16 7AA: the Early Music Group, Renaissance Brass and Madrigal Singing groups.
The Early Music Group meets alternate Thursdays during school term time, 6.30pm-8pm, playing repertoire from 1150-1750 mostly on modern instruments including recorder, harp, lute (inc. guitar, mandolin, mandola), violin family and keyboard.
The Madrigal Singing and Renaissance Brass groups are monthly groups with flexible dates.
Contact: Jayne, 07379 817 817 or [email protected] (Confirmed January 2023)
Classes in Medieval, Tudor and Regency dance are held each Thursday evening (8pm – 10pm) and on Wednesday morning (10.30 – 12.00) in the Invision Studio, Burgess Street, Leominster. Beginners of any age welcome - come and give it a try! Contact Maureen Crumpler on 01568 613477 or email: [email protected] (Updated January 2023)
The Wales group of the Society of Recorder Players organises monthly playing days which visitors are welcome to attend. No need to book. Visit their website for details. (Updated October 2021).
Are you looking for the chance to play or sing informally with an accompanist using an appropriate keyboard instrument, singly or perhaps in a small group? Or are you a player (or potential player) who would like to explore some early keyboard instruments?
John Erskine has a fine range of keyboard instruments suitable for early music – a virginals, a clavichord, a chamber organ and an organ console with Hauptwerk software (giving ‘virtual’ access to several famous early organs in Europe). He is generously offering the use of these at his home, and would be very pleased if those who are interested would contact him.
John lives in Malvern and hopes there may be other members of BMEMF who would like to share informal music-making in that area. Email [email protected] (Confirmed January 2023)
Con Anima Singers, a small and friendly a cappella ensemble specialising in early music, meets three times a month on Wednesday evenings in Bishop’s Castle. They are looking for new voices in all sections. There is a charge of £10 per month to cover running costs. Please contact George Baker, 01547 520271, email: [email protected] (Updated January 2023)
The Fellowship of Makers and Researchers of Historical Instruments (FoMRHI) was founded in 1975 as an organisation of people concerned with historical musical instruments. Its aim is to promote authenticity in the preservation of original instruments, in making reproductions of such instruments, and in their use. Membership is open to anyone interested in any of these aims. All members receive FoMRHI Quarterly, which includes a bulletin of notes and news, requests for and offers of information, replies and questions, and a number of papers, called Communications or 'Comms'. These are of varying length and range from the speculative to the thoroughly researched, and from the practical to the theoretical and the philosophical. They include book and other reviews, detailed information on how to make useful gadgets, instrument design information, and debates on previous Communications. If you'd like to find out more, please visit the website www.fomrhi.org (Updated 2nd August 2016)
The New Titley Philharmonic Orchestra (aka the Titley Phil): We meet on a Monday afternoon at Titley Village Hall (between Presteigne and Kington) to play mostly 17th and 18th century music under the tutelage of David Hatcher. David, as you will probably know, is the talented player of many period instruments and an amusing and informative tutor/conductor.
Occasionally, as a real treat, we get to accompany him in a gamba concerto but we also (any of us that feels that way inclined!) get the opportunity to play the concertante parts in concerti grossi and/or the solo in a concerto.
Violinists and Viola players are always welcome, but at the moment we are looking - in particular - for a bassoonist and a double bass player. Players need to have a minimum playing standard of Grade VI and to be confident sight-readers. We rarely perform. David works us very hard, giving us plenty of sectional tutoring in period style and technique, in the friendly and supportive company of the rest of the orchestra.
Anyone interested can contact Annie Nethercott on 01547 560369 or David on 01568 611643. (Confirmed January 2023)
Lion Choir: an informal practice choir for people who enjoy singing but do not wish to perform in public. Meets at 6:00pm in Leominster at The Forbury for about 90 minutes. Music provided. Charge of £8.00 per evening. Contact David Hatcher: [email protected] or 01568 611643 / 07817 741904 (Confirmed January 2023)
Shropshire Harmony Quire is a small west gallery quire, meeting monthly at Lydbury North village hall in South Shropshire. We welcome new members, whether singers or instrumentalists.
Repertoire
The music of the west gallery or ‘hymnody’ tradition is very melodic in structure. Some is rousing while some is unbelievable beautiful. This vivacious and contrapuntal style of singing and playing was popular with parishioners who wanted to do more than sit in silence during services. Eventually, the singers and musicians of the west gallery were replaced by the church organists, the old hymns were replaced by Hymns Ancient and Modern and much of the works disappeared till the revival movement of the late 20th century.
For more information about the Quire, go to http://www.shropshireharmony.org.uk/ and click on the ‘join us’ tab. Alternatively,
e-mail the Secretary direct on [email protected]
Director
Andy Watts studied baroque bassoon and recorder at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and the Royal Conservatoire in The Hague. He has played with The Academy of Ancient Music, the English Concert, The London Classical Players, The English Baroque Soloists and was principal bassoon of the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment for many years. He also played for Nikolaus Harnoncourt’s Concentus Musicus in Vienna. He teaches at the Royal Academy of Music and Birmingham Conservatoire.
(Updated February 2025)