Praetorius Christmas Workshop with Patrick Craig on 14th December 2024

This workshop is for voices and any number of instruments – strings, including viols, wind and brass at pitch A440.

The German composer and music theorist Michael Praetorius (born Michael Schultze about 1571/2) was the son, and brother, of Lutheran pastors. After studying theology and philosophy in Frankfurt he later became organist and music director to the Duke of Brunswick, where he stayed for over 20 years. After the death of his employer, he travelled extensively in Germany working as music director in several north German courts where he met and worked with Schütz, Schein & Scheidt. Praetorius considered himself a pioneer in the introduction of the new Italian Baroque style into Protestant Germany.

We will work on a selection of his pieces for the festive season.

Music will be provided on the day                   Instrumentalists please bring a named Music stand

Patrick Craig is a countertenor who sang a thousand concerts with The Tallis Scholars while singing as a Vicar Choral at St Paul’s Cathedral where he has worked for almost thirty years. He has also recorded extensively as a member of The Cardinall’s Musick. He lectures on choral music for the Arts Society and conducts singing workshops for organisations across Europe. He is the founder Director of this country’s preeminent all-female professional choir Aurora Nova.

Timetable for the Day 
10 am:           Registration and drinks
10.30am;       Morning Session with a short break
1 pm:             a free buffet lunch will be provided as part of a very generous  legacy left by the late Heather Holt, our previous Treasurer – and much more.
2pm:              Afternoon session
3.30 approx   Tea
4.00:              Final session
5.00:              Finish

Directions   Dorridge Village Hall, Grange Road, Dorridge,  B93 8QA has plenty of parking but there is height restricting barrier of 2m at the entrance, If you need to travel in your pantechnicon please inform the organiser who will arrange for it to be open!

Warning for sat nav users. The official postcode for the Village Hall B93 8QA may set your destination quite some distance from the Hall.
The What3Words location is ///sponge.flopping.wedding .

From Dorridge centre on the B4101 (Grange Road) the turning to the Hall is the first left after Dorridge Park. If you get to the Railway pub you have gone too far!
From Hockley Heath, the driveway to the Hall is the first right after the Railway pub, before the “Welcome to Dorridge” signs.

Please note: The M42 will be closed between junctions 6 & 7a the weekend of the workshop, which will affect anyone travelling southbound on the M42.  Details of the closure and the diversions in place can be found here.

Dorridge Station (Chiltern Line) is about ½ mile away. Turn left out of the station and at the main road turn left under the railway bridge = Grange Road. The venue is on the left past the park.

The Organiser is Jonathan Spencer 07784 657563                             

To book click here