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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260502T103000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260502T170000
DTSTAMP:20260517T223030
CREATED:20251014T175251Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260302T124122Z
UID:18174-1777717800-1777741200@memf.org.uk
SUMMARY:!A la Batalla! with Greg Skidmore and Sue Addison on 2nd May 2026
DESCRIPTION:The Music for this workshop will comprise Sections from Victoria Missa Pro Victoria and Guerrero’s Missa de la Batalla Escoutez and Spanish Music reflecting battle songs. Singers and instrumentalists will rehearse separately in the morning and together in the afternoon\, in preparation for a sing/play through at the end of the day. \n10.00                  Registration and drinks \n10.30                  Morning session with short break \n1.15                     Lunch (bring your own) \n2.00                   Afternoon session \n4.00 (approx)  Tea \n4.30                    Sing/playthrough \n5.00                    Finish \nThe Tutors\nBorn in Canada\, Greg Skidmore arrived in England as an undergraduate at Royal Holloway College\, University of London. After graduating with First Class Honours in Music\, his post-graduate Choral Scholarship at Wells Cathedral led him to Lay Clerkships at Gloucester Cathedral and Christ Church Cathedral in Oxford. He now lives in London and pursues a varied career as a consort\, choral\, and solo oratorio singer alongside his growing commitments as a conductor and workshop leader. \nGreg is one of the UK’s leading consort and choral singers\, having appeared with The Tallis Scholars\, The Sixteen\, The Cardinall’s Musick\, I Fagiolini\, Tenebrae and The Gabrieli Consort \nMore recently he was appointed Musical Director of The Lacock Scholars and has performed throughout the UK with them\, including ongoing engagements at Westminster Abbey. \nHe has given workshops and masterclasses in the UK\, France\, Canada\, New Zealand\, and Australia in association with The Sixteen\, I Fagiolini\, and on his own. \nSue Addison is recognised as one of the world’s leading exponents of historic trombones. She currently plays principal trombone with The Orchestra of the Eighteenth Century\, Academy of Ancient Music\, The Sixteen and the Gabrieli Consort. Her experience ranges from being a full time member of the City of Birmingham Orchestra under the direction of Sir Simon Rattle\, to recording for the BBC Comedy ‘The Two Ronnies’. She is a founder member of His Majestys Sagbutts & Cornetts and of The Orchestra of The Age of Enlightenment. She is currently Professor of Baroque trombone at the Royal College of Music\, Birmingham Conservatoire\, Royal Northern College\, and Trinity Laban. \nVenue\nSwallowbeck Methodist Church\, 472 Newark Rd\, Lincoln LN6 8RZ \nThe church has a small car park only at the front so if anyone has mobility problems let me know and I will keep a space for you. \nOtherwise the dentist next door has a car park at the back of the building. Drive in and you will see the signs directing you to the car park. Parking well should allow at least 20 cars to park in there. They do have a surgery on that day so there may be people walking from the car park. There is also street parking opposite. \nThe railway and bus station hub is a good walk away from the venue but it is on a bus route. \n  \nWorkshop Organiser is Wendy Leonard  07540 560656 \nBook by 18th April here
URL:http://memf.org.uk/event/workshop-for-voices-with-greg-skidmore-in-lincoln-on-2nd-may-2026/
LOCATION:Swallowbeck Methodist Church\, Lincoln
CATEGORIES:A440,brass,Loud wind,Recorders,Strings,Voices
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260307T103000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260307T170000
DTSTAMP:20260517T223030
CREATED:20251014T174540Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260218T221535Z
UID:18171-1772879400-1772902800@memf.org.uk
SUMMARY:Schutz: Psalmen Davids workshop with Bill Carslake on 7th March 2026
DESCRIPTION:Come and celebrate one of music’s finest dramatists\, Heinrich Schütz\, in four of his great psalm settings in German. Whether Schütz was writing opera\, oratorio or these ‘Psalmen Davids’\, he prioritised character and intention\, and maintained a musical pacing that was close to life. His freedom in word-setting in German and Latin and his use of everyday speech rhythms were as liberating and far-reaching as in the work of his contemporary\, John Donne. His introduction of thorough-bass/’basso continuo’ created a musical double commentary – a tension between the sung text and its harmonic underlay. Yet he could be stark and ask the big\, bold question. His work transcended religious and national divides\, and his travels between Venice and Dresden brought the latest Italian urgency into Germany’s Lutheran church\, changing it for ever. Welcome to the German Baroque! We will be ‘going big’ with Zion Spricht\, and will also include the joyous Danket dem Herrenn. \nRepertoire: Zion Spricht swv 46\, Ich freue mich swv 122\, Ich danke den Herren swv 111\, Danket dem Herren swv 45 \n  \nThis workshop is for voices and instruments: \nContinuo:  Organ\, Harpsichord\, Theorbo/lute/chitarrone\, Cello/double bass. \nWinds:  Cornetti\, sackbuts\, Bassoons\,  Recorders/flutes\, Trumpets (great for Danket SWV 45\, where Schütz incorporated the court trumpet ensemble\, and for Zion Spricht swv 46\, but not for the other two – so it would be good if the trumpets could sing or play something else in those pieces). \nStrings: Violins\, Viola\, Violone \n \n  \nThe Tutor\, Bill Carslake\, composes music inspired by outdoor fieldwork collaborations. He conducts widely\, and he is passionate about eco sail. He has a lifelong fascination with Renaissance and Baroque choral music. His latest orchestral work\, Carrownagappul (2024) was commissioned for the 25th anniversary of Imperial College Sinfonietta – inspired by fieldwork in Galway\, Ireland in collaboration with photographer Tina Claffey. A Finzi Scholarship orchestral piece\, Mountain Hare (2022) was premiered by Farnborough Symphony Orchestra; and the travel essay Composing with Hares features in the Finzi Trust podcast series. Bill collaborated with poet Helen Mort on The Singing Glacier (2017) inspired by their climbing expedition in East Greenland – which has featured twice on BBC Radio 4. The current fieldwork project is The Sea of Trees\, a sailing voyage to the Faroe Islands to study phytoplankton and sea bird colonies. He is Co-founder of Guild of Ships Ltd – a platform for sailing ship companies that carry passengers and cargo by wind. \n  \nVenue: The Coton Centre is on the A315 Comberford Rd on the north edge of Tamworth. The post code B79 9AA will take you to Rawlett school but if approaching from the north on the A513 it is on the left before the school and from any other direction is the next turning after the school. There is ample free parking on site. \nLifts from Tamworth station\, a mile and a half away\, can be arranged if required – please get in touch with the organiser: Elizabeth Ashby  07892 715401 \nBooking extended to 24th February – click here.\n 
URL:http://memf.org.uk/event/schutz-psalmen-davids-workshop-with-bill-carslake-on-7th-march-2026/
LOCATION:Coton Centre\, Tamworth\, Church Comberford Road\, Tamworth\, B79 9AA\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:A440,brass,Continuo,Loud wind,Recorders,Strings,Voices
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260117T103000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260117T170000
DTSTAMP:20260517T223030
CREATED:20251014T173520Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260113T212237Z
UID:18166-1768645800-1768669200@memf.org.uk
SUMMARY:Palestrina: Missa Tu es Petrus a 18 with David Hatcher on 17th January 2026
DESCRIPTION:The Music: Palestrina’s six-voice motet Tu es Petrus\, setting a text from St Matthew in which the pun of Petrus meaning both Peter and rock\,was first published in his second book of motets in 1572. The same composer’s six-voice parody mass based on the motet was published by the Venetian printer Girolamo Scotto in 1601 in the Missarum Liber XII\, but other parody masses based on the same motet were already known. Orazio Benevoli’s sixteen-part (4 choirs each of 4 voices) has recently been recorded by I Fagiolini and this 18-part\, attributed (with some doubt) to Palestrina\, is the subject of this MEMF workshop. \nIt is written for three six-part choirs\, but combines the top and bottom parts of each choir in a number of passages to produce four-part choral textures that contrast beautifully with the full sections. \nSingers and players of brass\, curtals\, lower shawms (tenor and below)\, recorders\, bowed strings (viols and violin family) and plucked strings (lutes\, harps) and harpsichord & organs are all welcome. \n \nDavid Hatcher was born in Warwick and upon attaining the LTCL diploma two years after taking up music\, he went on to study viola da gamba with Charles Medlam and recorder with Philip Thorby at Trinity College of Music\, London. He began his career based in England\, touring America\, Israel\, France\, Germany and the Netherlands. \nHe has broadcast for both the BBC and independent radio and television. In 1987 he moved to Japan where he was to remain for the next 9 years\, taking an active part in that country’s flourishing early music scene. He has recorded with Evelyn Tubb\, The Consort of Musicke\, I Fagiolini\, Sprezzatura\, and the Japanese ensembles Chelys\, Ensemble Ecclesia and the Bach Collegium of Japan. \nDavid now lives in Leominster on the Welsh Marches and has appeared with Fretwork\, The Royal Shakespeare Theatre\, The Globe Theatre\, The Consort of Musicke\, Musica Antiqua of London\, The Corelli Orchestra\, The Harp Consort\, Glyndebourne Opera and many other period orchestras and ensembles. \nHe has taught on numerous summer schools\, including the Cambridge Early Music Summer School\, the Easter Early Music Course at Monmouth and Sastamala Gregoriana in Finland\, and is in demand as a tutor for many weekend and day courses. \nPast projects include performing in Damon Albarn’s opera ‘Dr Dee’ and performing and recording with I Fagiolini in their hugely successful interpretation of Striggio’s 40-voice mass. He performed in the inaugural season of the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse in 2014 and in the highly acclaimed production of The Knight of the Burning Pestle in 2014 & 2015. He is a founder member of The Linarol Consort of Viols\,  the UK’s only consort specialising in the earliest repertoire for that instrument. \n\n\n\nSt Nicholas Church\, Warwick. https://www.stnicholaswarwick.org.uk\nSt. Nicholas Church is located on the southern edge or Warwick – adjacent to St Nicholas Park and opposite the south entrance to the castle.\nThere is no church car park\, but the St Nicholas Park car park (CV34 4QY) is directly behind the church\, accessed via the A425 Banbury Road. This is a ‘pay and display’ car park 7 days a week. The full day charge is £8.00. Payment is by card or the RingGo App.Warwick station is less than 10 mins walk away. From the exit walk to the Coventry Road and turn right. At St John’s junction at the traffic lights\, cross straight ahead towards St John’s Museum. Turn right into St Nicholas Church Street – the church is on the left at the end of this road. \nWorkshop Organiser: Jonathan Spencer  07784 657563  jonathan-spencer@blueyonder.co.uk \nBooking is now closed
URL:http://memf.org.uk/event/workshop-for-voices-and-instruments-a440-with-david-hatcher-on-17th-january-2026/
LOCATION:St Nicholas Church\, Warwick
CATEGORIES:A440,brass,Continuo,Recorders,Strings,Voices
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20251206T103000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20251206T170000
DTSTAMP:20260517T223030
CREATED:20250531T174331Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251126T181043Z
UID:17093-1765017000-1765040400@memf.org.uk
SUMMARY:Workshop for Voices and Instruments with Robert Hollingworth on 6th December 2025
DESCRIPTION:We welcome back Robert Hollingworth who last came to MEMF three years ago\, just before his Benevoli project began with I Fagiolini. Their third and final Benevoli album of mid-17th century multi-choir masses from Rome is already recorded (released next spring) and includes a wonderfully flowing three-choir mass\, Missa Angelus Domini.  Based on a lost original\, the mass is fast moving at times with delightful detail and reduced voices sections for the Christe and ‘Et resurrexit’.  It’s for three equal choirs (SATB) but can happily take instrumental doubling on strings\, recorders\, cornetts/sackbuts and bass dulcians (but not double reeds generally).  Come and uncover a work of quality and a real pleasure to sing and play. \n \nRobert Hollingworth founded I Fagiolini in 1986 and has since spent much of his life thinking about how audiences receive music\, instead of just how performers want to deliver it. Aside from his work with I Fagiolini\, he is a conductor\, broadcaster\, educator\, editor and festival director. Robert has conducted orchestras including the English Concert\, Academy of Ancient Music\, BBC Concert Orchestra\, Irish Baroque Orchestra and directed some of the world’s finest chamber choirs including Accentus\, NDR Chor\, RIAS Kammerchor (Berlin)\, Netherlands Chamber Choir\, National Chamber Choir of Ireland\, BBC Singers\, Danish National Vocal Ensemble and Capella Cracoviensis. Robert is Artistic Director for Stour Music Festival and the new ‘Fairest Isle Festival’ on the Isle of Wight. \nAt the University of York\, Robert directs two choirs and the UK’s only MA in Solo-Voice Ensemble Singing\, now in its 13th year. He has written and presented programmes on BBC Radio 3 and more recently created over 30 episodes of the YouTube choral series SingTheScore as well as co-founding and presenting the UK’s top choral podcast series\, Choral Chihuahua\, with Eamonn Dougan and Nicholas Mulroy\, now in its twelfth season. Both are made by Polyphonic Films (Greg Browning). Robert Hollingworth is managed worldwide by Percius. \nThe venue\, Solihull Methodist Church Hall\, is close to the centre of Solihull\, easily accessible from junction 5 of the M42. It is right next to the town’s railway station\, which is also served by buses\, at the junction of Blossomfield Road and Station Approach. There is a large car park\, including a number of dedicated disabled parking spaces\, with the car park entrance in Station Approach. If using a SatNav to direct you\, the postcode is B91 1LG. The Hall is a separate building to the church. \nThe day includes a free lunch thanks to a generous bequest from our former Treasurer\, Heather Holt. \nThe organiser is Jonathan Spencer  07784 657563 \nBooking has now closed\n 
URL:http://memf.org.uk/event/workshop-for-voices-and-instruments-with-robert-hollingworth-on-6th-december-2025/
LOCATION:Solihull Methodist Church Hall\, Blosssomfield Road\, Solihull\, B91 1LG\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:A440,brass,Loud wind,Recorders,Strings,Voices
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250927T103000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250927T170000
DTSTAMP:20260517T223030
CREATED:20250304T142833Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250921T221022Z
UID:16295-1758969000-1758992400@memf.org.uk
SUMMARY:A celebration of  Andrea Gabrieli with Philip Thorby on 27th September 2025 + AGM
DESCRIPTION:The music\nThis workshop to mark the 540th anniversary of the death of Andrea Gabrieli will explore some of his 12-part works and\, depending on forces\, his 16-part Gloria. We welcome singers and the following instruments: cornetts\, sackbuts\, recorders. curtals. all strings and continuo. A=440 \nInstrumentalists please note that there will not be C-clefs for all the pieces\, and continuo players will be working from scores or figured bass parts. \nMusic will be provided on the day \nThere will be a short AGM at lunchtime. \n\n \nAndrea Gabrieli \nMarking the 540th anniversary of the death of Andrea Gabrieli\, pupil of Orlandus Lassus and Maestro di Cappella of St Marks in Venice. Andrea was much more than just the uncle of Giovanni! Even in his large-scale works\, Andrea’s music has an intimacy and subtlety which reflect his great teacher\, Lassus. \nWe will explore some of Andrea’s twelve-part works\, including the psalm setting Benedicam Dominum and Magnificat and the masterly hymn to music Cantiam di Dio\, and (if the forces are suitable) his immense\, four-choir\, sixteen-part Gloria. \n\n \nPhilip Thorby is a regular and popular tutor and we are delighted to welcome him back again – he is well known as one of the country’s leading performers and teachers in the field of Renaissance and Baroque music. He founded and directed the ensemble “Musica Antiqua of London” which was at the forefront of research-based performance of renaissance music\, a passion he is now exploring further with professional and amateur musicians in many different contexts\, including courses held each year in Venice and elsewhere. \nHe is Emeritus Fellow in Early Music at Trinity Laban Conservatoire\, London. \nPhilip is particularly well known to MEMF members\, having delivered many inspiring workshops. His series of 4 lectures on Venice in the early 1500s present a fascinating view of the city – with the lives of composers Ganassi and Willaert intertwined with notable names of the day. These lectures were delivered during the pandemic and can be found on our website. https://memf.org.uk/home/philip-thorby-lectures/ \nTimetable for the day \n10.00              Registration and drinks \n10.30              Morning session (with a short comfort break) \n1.00                Short AGM followed by lunch (bring your own or use local pubs and cafes) \n2.00                Afternoon session \n3.30 approx   Tea break \n4.00                Final session \n5.00                Finish \nVenue   Solihull Methodist Church\, Blossomfield Road\, Solihull\, B91 1LG \nSolihull Methodist Church Hall is situated close to the centre of Solihull in the West Midlands. It is right next to the town’s railway station\, at the junction of Blossomfield Road and Station Approach. There is a large car park\, including a number of dedicated disabled parking spaces\, with the car park entrance in Station Approach. As you enter the car park the Church Hall is ahead of you – we are not in the church on the left. If using a SatNav to direct you\, the postcode is B91 1LG. \nNB If approaching from the west along Blossomfield Road there is no left turn into Station Approach. Either go completely around the roundabout back the way you came and  turn immediately right into Station Approach\, or\, more easily take the first exit at the roundabout into Streetsbrook Road and then turn left into the other end of Station Approach at the traffic lights (by the Fire Station). \nhttps://www.solihull-methodist.org.uk/where-are-we/ \nNeither MEMF or the venue can accept any responsibility for property lost or damaged. \nBooking has now closed.
URL:http://memf.org.uk/event/workshop-for-voices-and-instruments-with-philip-thorby-on-27th-september-2025/
LOCATION:Solihull Methodist Church Hall\, Blosssomfield Road\, Solihull\, B91 1LG\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:A440,brass,Continuo,Loud wind,Recorders,Strings,Voices
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250719T103000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250719T170000
DTSTAMP:20260517T223030
CREATED:20250304T142326Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250609T195639Z
UID:16292-1752921000-1752944400@memf.org.uk
SUMMARY:A Musical Banquet - Schein's Banchetto Musicale - with Alison Kinder on 19th July 2025
DESCRIPTION:In this workshop for instruments we will cover three of the instrumental suites from Johann Hermann Schein’s Banchetto Musicale of 1617. It is suitable for recorders\, strings\, brass and reeds at pitch A=440. One keyboard continuo player would also be welcome. The workshop begins at 10.30 with refreshments from 10.00 \n \nThe Composer Johann Hermann Schein (1586-1630) was Thomaskantor in Leipzig from 1615 to 1630\, the post later held by J S Bach. He was one of the first composers to import the early Italian stylistic innovations into German music. Unlike his friend Heinrich Schütz\, he did not live a long or happy life. His wife died in childbirth; four of his five children died in infancy; he died in Leipzig at age 44\, having suffered from tuberculosis\, gout\, scurvy\, and a kidney disorder. \nSchein wrote sacred and secular music in approximately equal quantities\, mainly vocal; however\, today he is perhaps best known for his collection of instrumental suites called Banchetto Musicale (Musical Banquet)\, published in 1617.  The twenty suites each share the same format: Padouana\, Gagliarda\, and Courente\, all in five parts\, followed by an Allemande and Tripla in four parts. \nSchein does not specify the instrumentation\, and although he does say in the preface that he prefers to have viols included\, the style hints at early violin writing\, and is also reminiscent of the wind music of people like Bassano. Schein also says that in his next published work he will begin providing a written part for a keyboard\, so it might be appropriate to use continuo in the Banchetto Musicale. \n \n  \nThe Tutor Alison Kinder is a viol player with Chelys Consort of Viols and the Linarol Consort. She particularly enjoys working with viols and voices\, and is the viol player in the female polyphonic group Musica Secreta\, directed by Laurie Stras who ran a workshop for MEMF last year. Alison also enjoys a close exploration of the connection between music and dance with lutenist Lynda Sayce and two baroque dancers in Apollo’s Revels. More recently Alison has been playing with Sounds Historical\, presenting innovative programmes around the Midlands\, and is a co-founder of Banbury Early Music Festival. Alison runs the Rondo Viol Academy with colleague Jacqui Robertson-Wade\, and regularly leads Forum workshops as well as teaching on various Early Music courses and summer schools. Occasionally she is allowed out of the viol playing department and onto recorders and baroque violin! \n  \nThe Venue is Knowle Village Hall\, St. John’s Close\, Knowle\, Solihull\, B93 0NH\nhttps://knowlevillagehall.co.uk/ \nParking is pretty good around the village hall\, as it is surrounded on three sides by public car parks owned by the Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council and at the front of the building on the forecourt we can usually park four/five cars. The first two hours in the public car parks are free but for longer stays a fee is charged. \nThe Hall is 1.5 miles away from the M42 Junction 5 and approximately 3.5 miles to the east of Solihull town centre.  Nearby bus stops provide frequent transport links to Solihull Station and Dorridge Station. \nThe Organiser is Jane Warren please contact her by text if you need to\, on  07472 793531 \nBooking is now open please book here by 10th July.
URL:http://memf.org.uk/event/scheins-banchetto-musicale-a-workshop-with-alison-kinder-on-19th-july-2025/
LOCATION:Knowle Village Hall\, St John’s Close\, Knowle\, Solihull\, B93 0NN\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:A440,brass,Continuo,Loud wind,Recorders,Strings
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250412T103000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250412T170000
DTSTAMP:20260517T223030
CREATED:20250106T180924Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250314T180333Z
UID:15160-1744453800-1744477200@memf.org.uk
SUMMARY:From Mexico with Tears:  Lamentations by Padilla and López  Capillas with George Parris on 12th April 2025
DESCRIPTION:We welcome back George Parris to tutor this workshop\, for voices and all instruments at A440 pitch. \nWe will explore two settings of the Lamentations of Jeremiah by outstanding composers: Juan Gutierrez de Padilla\n(c. 1590-1664) and Francisco López Capillas (1608-1674). Both composers worked at the magnificent cathedral in Puebla\, Mexico\, where the music-loving Bishop Juan Palafox y Mendoza presided over the richest establishment of the Spanish Empire outside Spain. Their music represents a high point in the Spanish manner of sacred polyphony\, exhibiting a use of voices and a tonal instability that is both remarkable and highly expressive. \nJuan Gutierrez de Padilla was born in Málaga\, in Old Spain\, and was appointed maestro at Cádiz Cathedral in around 1616. He next appears at the Cathedral in Puebla in 1622 where he later became maestro and would spend the rest of his life. \nFrancisco López Capillas was born in Mexico City where he sang in the Cathedral choir and studied theology at the University. By 1641\, he is found working as organist\, cantor\, and assistant to Juan Gutierrez de Padilla at Puebla Cathedral\, but he later returned to Mexico City where he became maestro of the Catedral de México in 1654. \nGeorge Parris read Music at Cambridge University\, following by a Master’s Degree at Oxford University\, and then studied choral conducting and ensemble singing at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki. In 2011 he founded The Carice Singers\, now a professional vocal ensemble\, and works across Europe as a singer\, chorus master\, and conductor. His work is varied and far-reaching\, from being Artistic Director of the Aurore Renaissance Music Festival in Helsinki\, performing vocal works by Kaija Saariaho and Luciano Berio\, and mentoring the next generation of choral composers on schemes for Cheltenham Music Festival\, Spitalfields Music Festival\, and the Three Choirs Festival. \nTimetable for the day \n10.00             Registration and drinks – PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN MUG \n10.30             Morning session (with a short break) \n1.00               Lunch (bring your own /or use local pubs and cafes) \n2.00                Afternoon session \n3.30 approx Tea break \n4.00               Final session \n5.00               Finish \nVenue   St Faith & St Laurence Church is very visible at the junction of Balden Rd & Croftdown Rd in Harborne\, Birmingham\, B32 2EL . There is a small amount of parking next to the church\, and plenty more street parking on Croftdown Road. \nThe organiser is Jonathan Spencer. If\, having booked\, you need to cancel\, please let him know on 07784 657563 \nBooking is now open-  book here.
URL:http://memf.org.uk/event/from-mexico-with-tears-lamentations-with-george-parris-on-12th-april-2025/
LOCATION:St.Faith & St.Laurence Church Hall\, Balden Road\, Harborne\, Birmingham\, B32 2EL\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:A440,brass,Loud wind,Recorders,Strings,Voices,woodwind
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250111T103000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250111T170000
DTSTAMP:20260517T223030
CREATED:20241119T175732Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241206T151635Z
UID:14812-1736591400-1736614800@memf.org.uk
SUMMARY:Tribus Miraculis - workshop with Stephanie Dyer 11th January 2025
DESCRIPTION: Tribus Miraculis – Music for a Saturday after Epiphany\nThis workshop is for all voices and instruments and Renaissance wind instruments – cornetts curtals\, recorders\, sackbuts and shawms – are particularly welcome. \nString players are also warmly invited to participate plus one continuo player\, or others who come with their own instrument. A=440 \n  \nThe music we will be playing is in multi parts: \na12 – Jacob Handl – Tribus miraculis \na8 – Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina – Surge illuminare \na8 – Caspar Vincentius – Gloria tibi \na12 – Hans Leo Hassler – Jubilate Deo \n  \nMusic will be provided on the day \nInstrumentalists please bring a labelled music stand \n  \n \n  \nThe Tutor Virtuoso historical trombonist Stephanie Dyer enjoys an international career as Early musician\, modern performer and educator. Born and raised in Cardiff\, Stephanie studied at King’s College\, Cambridge\, Royal Academy of Music\, London and Schola Cantorum Basiliensis\, Switzerland. She performs with world-renowned historic brass group His Majestys Sagbutts & Cornetts\, of which she has been a member since 2016. Stephanie’s performance activities are diverse: equally at home in the theatre and recording studio as on the concert platform\, she is trombonist and Cover Conductor for Disney’s Aladdin the Musical (UK/Ireland Tour\, 2023–25)\, and is part of the 2024 Songs of Praise Christmas Special\, to be broadcast Sunday 22nd December on BBC One. \n  \nA devoted teacher\, Stephanie is Baroque Trombone professor at RAM\, teaches trombone at the University of Cambridge and is a passionate workshop leader in the UK and internationally\, including for the regional Early Music Fora (2021–)\, Beauchamp Adult Early Music Course (2024–); International Early Music Summer School\, ?cinawka Górna (Poland\, 2017–)\, Warsaw Sackbut & Cornett Festival (2021–); and for Alta Capella Vianensis (the Netherlands\, 2022–). \n  \nTimetable for the day \n10.00              Registration and drinks \n10.30              Morning session (with a short break) \n1.00                Lunch (bring your own) \n2.00                Afternoon session \n3.30 approx   Tea break \n4.00                Final session \n5.00                Finish \nThe Venue  Solihull Methodist Church is close to the centre of Solihull at the junction of Blossomfield Rd and Station Approach.  It is right next to Solihull Railway Station and is well served by buses. There is a large car park with the entrance in Station Approach. If coming by car\, use postcode B91 1LG for your satnav. \nNB. If approaching from the west along Blossomfield Road\, please note that there is no left turn into Station Approach. Either go completely around the roundabout and then turn right into Station Approach\, or take the first exit at the roundabout into Streetsbrook Road and then turn left into the opposite end of Station Approach at the traffic lights. \nBook here by 3rd January 2025\nWorkshop Organiser is Jill Davies – 07721 317030 or daviesmusic@btinternet.com
URL:http://memf.org.uk/event/workshop-for-voices-and-instruments-with-stephanie-dyer/
LOCATION:Solihull Methodist Church Hall\, Blosssomfield Road\, Solihull\, B91 1LG\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:A440,brass,Loud wind,Recorders,Strings
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20241214T103000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20241214T170000
DTSTAMP:20260517T223030
CREATED:20240512T200655Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241106T212608Z
UID:10941-1734172200-1734195600@memf.org.uk
SUMMARY:Praetorius Christmas Workshop with Patrick Craig on 14th December 2024
DESCRIPTION:This workshop is for voices and any number of instruments – strings\, including viols\, wind and brass at pitch A440. \nThe 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. \nWe will work on a selection of his pieces for the festive season. \nMusic will be provided on the day                   Instrumentalists please bring a named Music stand \n \nPatrick 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. \nTimetable for the Day \n10 am:           Registration and drinks\n10.30am;       Morning Session with a short break\n1 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.\n2pm:              Afternoon session\n3.30 approx   Tea\n4.00:              Final session\n5.00:              Finish \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDirections   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! \nWarning for sat nav users. The official postcode for the Village Hall B93 8QA may set your destination quite some distance from the Hall.\nThe What3Words location is ///sponge.flopping.wedding . \nFrom 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!\nFrom Hockley Heath\, the driveway to the Hall is the first right after the Railway pub\, before the “Welcome to Dorridge” signs. \nPlease 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. \nDorridge 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. \nThe Organiser is Jonathan Spencer 07784 657563                              \nTo book click here\n 
URL:http://memf.org.uk/event/christmas-workshop-with-patrick-craig-on-14th-december-2024/
LOCATION:Dorridge Village Hall\, Grange Road\, Dorridge\, B93 8QA
CATEGORIES:A440,brass,Continuo,Loud wind,Recorders,Strings,Viols,Voices
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20240914T103000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20240914T170000
DTSTAMP:20260517T223030
CREATED:20240512T175927Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240805T135318Z
UID:10929-1726309800-1726333200@memf.org.uk
SUMMARY:Mateo Flecha's 'Ensalades' with Anita Datta on 14th September 2024
DESCRIPTION:Those of us who were able to attend Anita Datta’s ’s last MEMF workshop will know we are in for a treat! \nShe will explore with us three of the ‘Ensaladas’ of Mateo Flecha el Viejo (1481-1553). So-called for their eclectic mixing of languages and musical styles\, they depict allegorical dramas as a form of courtly and carnivalesque entertainment. Exploring the Ensaladas offers musicians liberty to play with sound and imagination\, creating rich and atmospheric depictions of life and politics in early modern Europe through delightful polyphony. \nRepertoire: La Guerra; El Jubilate; La Bomba and Riù Riù Chiù.  There’s a Spotify playlist here with performances of all the pieces to get a flavour of what we’ll be doing. \nThe workshop is for SATB voices and pretty much any instruments – melody (which can double any vocal line in their range) or continuo.  Especially welcome: sackbuts and cornets\, early percussion\, early Iberian instruments (e.g. Vihuela). There will be some percussion instruments at the workshop\, so anyone who would like to bang a drum or rattle a tambourine is welcome to come as a percussionist. Pitch: A=440 \nPlease note that Anita will need notice well in advance for instruments not in C so she can prepare parts. \n \nThe Tutor\, Anita Datta\, is a conductor and Early Music Specialist from East Yorkshire. She is the founder and artistic director of vocal ensemble The Swan Consort\, and with them has performed at major music festivals across the UK and Europe. Graduating from Sidney Sussex College\, Cambridge as an organ scholar (2014)\, she is frequently engaged as an organist and continuo player\, and has directed a number of early and contemporary operas. She is also a soprano\, Indian Classical musician\, and composer\, having recently delivered commissions for Multitude of Voyces and the BBC Singers. \nThe Venue   St Faith & St Laurence Church is on the junction of Balden Rd & Croftdown Rd in Harborne. There is a small amount of parking on site\, and plenty more street parking on Croftdown Road. \nThe MEMF AGM will be held during the lunch break at 1pm. \nOrganiser: Jonathan Spencer 07784 657563 or jonathan-spencer@blueyonder.co.uk \n  \nBooking is now open – click here for the booking form. \n  \n  \n 
URL:http://memf.org.uk/event/mateus-fletxas-ensalades-with-anita-datta-on-14th-september-2024/
LOCATION:St.Faith & St.Laurence Church Hall\, Balden Road\, Harborne\, Birmingham\, B32 2EL\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:A440,brass,Continuo,Loud wind,Recorders,Strings,Viols,Voices,woodwind
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20240713T103000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20240713T170000
DTSTAMP:20260517T223030
CREATED:20240512T173407Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240602T190344Z
UID:10927-1720866600-1720890000@memf.org.uk
SUMMARY:Music for the Dedication of St Gertrude's in Hamburg 1607 with David Hatcher on 13th July 2024
DESCRIPTION:This workshop is appropriate for players of strings (violin and viol families)\, sackbuts\, cornetts\, double reeds (yes\, crumhorns too\, if a quorum can be reached!)\, recorders\, lutes\, keyboards and of course\, voices. Pitch will be A440. \nWe shall be working on music by Michael and Hieronymus Praetorius\, Orlando di Lasso\, Pierre Bonhomme and their contemporaries that was performed during a service in 1607 for the dedication of the church of St. Gertrude in Hamburg. \n“… After that was sung the Introit In nomine Jesu in eight parts by Bandovius [Bonhomme]. Next followed the Missa super Deus misereatur nostri\, also in eight parts\, by the excellent composer Orlando [di Lasso]. Instead of the Sequence was sung Alleluia by Handl [Jacobus Gallus]\, composed for twelve parts\, but in three choirs. The first choir was sung by the boys and musicians in the chancel\, the second [was played] by cornetts and sackbuts\, the third by the organ… After that was sung Herr Gott dich loben wir\, which Hieronymus Praetorius\, our church organist\, has composed for sixteen parts in four choirs… Following that was also sung the Cantate [Domino] in eight parts\, by the same Hieronymus Praetorius\, by the choir\, organs\, cornetts\, and sackbuts all together. To conclude\, Sei Lob und Ehr mit hohem Preis was sung by the congregation\, choir\, organ\, and instruments.” \nHamburg\, 7 January\, 1609\, Lucas van Cöllen\, Pastor of St. Jacobi in that city. \nThe music is a fascinating snapshot of the German response to Monteverdi’s works in Italy\, including the Vespers of 1610\, showing considerable experimentation and inventiveness in the movement towards the baroque splendour of later years. \nThe tutor: David Hatcher is well known to MEMF regulars. David was born in Warwick and upon attaining the LTCL diploma two years after taking up music\, he went on to study viola da gamba with Charles Medlam and recorder with Philip Thorby at Trinity College of Music\, London. He began his career based in England\, touring America\, Israel\, France\, Germany and the Netherlands. He has broadcast for both the BBC and independent radio and television. In 1987 he moved to Japan where he was to remain for the next 9 years\, taking an active part in that country’s flourishing early music scene. He has recorded with Evelyn Tubb\, The Consort of Musicke\, I Fagiolini\, Sprezzatura\, and the Japanese ensembles Chelys\, Ensemble Ecclesia and the Bach Collegium of Japan. \nDavid now lives in Leominster on the Welsh Marches and has appeared with Fretwork\, The Royal Shakespeare Theatre\, The Globe Theatre\, The Consort of Musicke\, Musica Antiqua of London\, The Corelli Orchestra\, The Harp Consort\, Glyndebourne Opera and many other period orchestras and ensembles. \nHe has taught on numerous summer schools\, including the Cambridge Early Music Summer School\, the Easter Early Music Course at Monmouth and Sastamala Gregoriana in Finland\, and is in demand as a tutor for many weekend and day courses. \nPast projects include performing in Damon Albarn’s opera ‘Dr Dee’ and performing and recording with I Fagiolini in their hugely successful interpretation of Striggio’s 40-voice mass. He performed in the inaugural season of the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse in 2014 and in the highly acclaimed production of The Knight of the Burning Pestle in 2014 & 2015. He is a founder member of The Linarol Consort of Viols\,  the UK’s only consort specialising in the earliest repertoire for that instrument. \nKnowle Village Hall https://knowlevillagehall.co.uk is 1.5 miles away from the M42 Junction 5 and approximately 3.5 miles to the east of Solihull town centre.  Nearby bus stops provide frequent transport links to Solihull Station and Dorridge Station.\nThere is very limited parking on site but there are several carparks very close by – some only take payment with the PayByPhone app. \nBooking is now open – click here for the booking form.\n  \n 
URL:http://memf.org.uk/event/workshop-for-voices-and-instruments-with-david-hatcher-on-23th-july-2024/
LOCATION:Knowle Village Hall\, St John’s Close\, Knowle\, Solihull\, B93 0NN\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:A440,brass,Continuo,Loud wind,Recorders,Strings,Viols,Voices
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20240622T103000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20240622T170000
DTSTAMP:20260517T223030
CREATED:20231128T202012Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240608T134702Z
UID:8757-1719052200-1719075600@memf.org.uk
SUMMARY:Music by Marc'Antonio Ingegneri with Gareth Wilson on Saturday 22nd June 2024
DESCRIPTION:The workshop is suitable for singers of all voice types plus cornetts\, sackbuts\, dulcian/bassoon\, strings/viols\, theorbo\, organ/harpsichord and recorders\, A=440. \nIntroduction  The Cremonese composer Marc’Antonio Ingegneri (1535/36-92) is remembered chiefly as the teacher of Claudio Monteverdi while\, for well over 400 years\, his own achievements have been left to sit in the shadows. This workshop will look at the music Ingegneri wrote for the major events of the church year\, from Advent through to the Assumption\, allowing participants to experience the extraordinary range of moods achieved and musical techniques employed by a composer whose remaining output is comparatively small but extremely varied. \n  \n \nThe tutor Gareth Wilson is Director of Girton College Chapel Choir\, university of Cambridge\, where he is also an Affiliated Lecturer in the Faculty of Music\, is Director of Music at Christ Church Chelsea\, Academic Professor at the Royal College of Music\, and is an examiner for the Royal College of Organists. While his repertoire covers music spanning over 500 years\, his growing discography has focused upon neglected or unrecorded Renaissance polyphony with instruments. He has now recorded four volumes of music by Marc’Antonio Ingegneri\, all of which have entered the Specialist Classical Charts and have been met with critical praise. \nMusic will be provided on the day if you book by Friday 7th June \nInstrumentalists please bring a labelled music stand \n  \nVenue   St Phillip’s Church Centre\, Manor Road\, Dorridge\, B93 8DX \nTo get to the church\, drive along the B4101 from the Knowle direction into Dorridge and under a railway bridge.  There is a Sainsbury’s garage on the right after the bridge and you need to turn right after this onto Manor Road where the church is immediately on the right.  There is some parking at the church and free street parking by the church and nearby.\nThere is also a large public car park immediately behind the church. To get to it you turn right immediately after going under the railway bridge and before the Sainsbury’s garage.  This is a station over-spill park which is available on Saturdays at £5 for the day. There is a footpath at the back of the car park which takes you to the back door of the church so you do not need to walk all the way round by the road.\nThe station is 5 minutes walk away – 2 left turns then right into Manor Road \nTimetable for the Day \n10 am:           Registration and drinks\n10.30am;       Morning Session with a short break\n1 pm:             Lunch (bring your own or use pubs and cafés nearby)\n2pm:              Afternoon session\n3.30 approx   Tea\n4.00:              Final session\n5.00:              Finish. \nBooking has now closed.\n  \n 
URL:http://memf.org.uk/event/workshop-for-voices-and-instruments-with-gareth-wilson-on-saturday-22nd-june-2024/
LOCATION:St Philip’s Church Centre\, Dorridge\, B93 8DX
CATEGORIES:A440,brass,Continuo,Loud wind,Recorders,Strings,Viols,Voices
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20240511T103000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20240511T170000
DTSTAMP:20260517T223030
CREATED:20231128T183053Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240401T201044Z
UID:8743-1715423400-1715446800@memf.org.uk
SUMMARY:Music and Ritual in a C16th Florentine Convent with Laurie Stras on Saturday 11th May 2024
DESCRIPTION:This workshop is for upper voices\, all viols\, lower pitch recorders and dulcians. We would also welcome one or two continuo keyboard players (there will be one instrument provided). Instrumentalists may expect to be asked to sing or listen at times. \nInstrumentalists please bring a labelled music stand. \nThe Music \nThe Biffoli-Sostegni manuscript\, MS 27766 in the library of the Brussels Conservatoire\, is the only surviving manuscript of polyphonic repertoire from a sixteenth-century convent.  The two nuns named on its binding\, Clemenzia Sostegni and Agnoleta Biffoli\, lived at the convent of San Matteo in Arcetri\, which later became home to Suor Maria Celeste Galilei\, ‘Galileo’s Daughter’. \nThe manuscript contains 78 works for equal voices that would have adorned the convent’s worship at its most solemn feasts and for its daily devotions. This full day workshop will introduce you to this fascinating record of the musical lives of Florentine nuns at the end of the Renaissance\, exploring its song\, psalmody\, motets\, and imitation masses. \nMusic will be provided on the day\, or can be sent in advance as PDFs to download and print\, or read from a device. (If you want advance copies please let the organiser know as soon as you have booked.) \nLaurie Stras is Professor Emerita of Music at the University of Southampton and director of the ensemble Musica Secreta\, with whom she has made six critically acclaimed recordings of polyphony from the 15th to the 17th centuries. Her research focus over many years has been the music and musical activities of women in Renaissance Ferrara and Florence: she is currently preparing a Cambridge Element on the Biffoli-Sostegni manuscript\, and Musica Secreta have recently recorded this repertoire for a forthcoming album https://musicasecreta.org/ \nLaurie is an expert in the convent music of C16 Italy and has undertaken extensive research into the original sources\, music often written by women for women. \nThe Venue – The Angel Centre is located in central Worcester\, on the corner of The Butts and Angel Place. The entrance is at the side\, in Angel Place\, directly opposite the excellent Francini’s café (recommended for lunch.) Look out for the WEM banner by the door. There is no parking immediately outside\, but the Cattle Market car park (off the Butts) is a five-minute walk away\, up the hill\, and costs £6 per 24 hrs\, or Croft Road is slightly further (by the Racecourse) and slightly cheaper at £4. (Both carparks are Pay and display or Ringo\, post-coded WR1 3NZ and are accessed from Croft Road). \n \nClick here to open link \nWorcester Foregate Street station is very close by in the Main (Foregate) Street. \nNeither MEMF nor the venue can accept any responsibility for property lost or damaged. \n  \nTimetable for the day \n10.00            Registration and drinks \n10.30            Morning session (with a short break) \n1.15              Lunch break – bring your own or use local shops and cafes \n2.00              Afternoon session with tea break \n5.00              Finish \n  \nClick here for the booking form\nThis is a direct link\, rather than seeing the form on this page as mentioned below. Payment details are on the form.
URL:http://memf.org.uk/event/workshop-for-voices-with-laurie-stras-on-saturday-11th-may/
LOCATION:Angel Centre\, Worcester
CATEGORIES:A440,Continuo,Recorders,Viols,Voices
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20240113T103000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20240113T170000
DTSTAMP:20260517T223030
CREATED:20231018T194701Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240102T151227Z
UID:8626-1705141800-1705165200@memf.org.uk
SUMMARY:The Battle of Lepanto: workshop with Tutor Gawain Glenton on 13th January 2024
DESCRIPTION:The Battle of Lepanto took place on October 7th\, 1571. This colossal naval battle pitted the combined forces of Europe’s Catholic states (under the overall command of Don Juan of Austria) against the Ottoman Empire and resulted in a major defeat of the Ottoman fleet. Galleys came from Spain\, Genoa\, The Papal States\, Savoy\, Tuscany and elsewhere. The Venetians were the dominant presence however\, providing more than twice as many galleys as any other member of the Holy League. \nFor Venetians the battle of Lepanto became the defining military victory of the era and was celebrated for decades to come – in part because a decisive victory of this magnitude was rather unexpected. It was used as a major propaganda coup and was self-consciously built into the Venetian myth. \nThe focus of the annual celebrations was a procession (or andata) to the church of Santa Giustina culminating in a Mass of thanksgiving. Several Venetian composers wrote large-scale music for this event\, including Giovanni Croce\, Andrea Gabrieli\, Claudio Merulo and Giovanni Bassano. This workshop will explore this fascinating aspect of Venetian musical culture. \nThis workshop is for singers of all voice types\, plus cornetts\, sackbuts\, dulcians and string instruments. Recorder players are welcome\, but should be prepared to also sing and/or play a different instrument. A = 440. \nThe Tutor Gawain Glenton is a specialist cornetto player whose work as a soloist and an ensemble musician takes him all over the world. He is a member and co-director of the English Cornett and Sackbut Ensemble and also a popular workshop Tutor. \nMusic will be provided on the day. \n  \n  \nThe Venue Trinity Church (www.trinitychurchstafford.org.uk) ST16 2BZ\, is a spacious modern building in Stafford town centre. The main church space\, where the workshop will take place\, is on the first floor; a lift is available. The church website includes a link to a map. The church is a ten-minute walk from Stafford railway station. \nDetails of town car parks can be found here and here. Note that some car parks are pay-by-phone only. The church has a small number of parking spaces (about 8); these will be available for those bringing bulky instruments or those with limited mobility. Please telephone or message Tim Boardman if you would like to make use of one of these spaces\, and please try to car-share where possible. Tim’s mobile: 07794 837396. \nPlease note: There are extensive roadworks and diversions in operation around Stafford centre that will continue well into 2024. If you wish to use the long stay Doxey Road car park (no. 13a on the Borough Council map) it is currently accessible from Chell Road by car\, but may not be on the 13th. From the A34 north of the town centre follow the new link road (Pans Road) signposted Telford A518. At the first roundabout take the first exit into the car park\, by Sainsbury’s. Currently\,Trinity Church can be accessed via Chell Road/Broad Street. If there are any changes in the interim affecting access to the church\, I shall post an update on this page. \nNB There is also a small independent car park on Mount Street\, immediately behind Trinity Church: SIP Car Parks Limited Sheridan Centre Mount Street Stafford ST16 2BZ. Charge is £5 for the day. It does tend to fill up quite early\, but may be worth a try as it is cheap and convenient. \nBooking is now open – please scroll down for the booking form.
URL:http://memf.org.uk/event/the-battle-of-lepanto-workshop-with-tutor-gawain-glenton-on-13th-january-2024/
LOCATION:Trinity Church\,Stafford
CATEGORIES:A440,brass,Loud wind,Recorders,Strings,Voices
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20231202T103000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20231202T170000
DTSTAMP:20260517T223030
CREATED:20230612T135759Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20231128T180022Z
UID:8272-1701513000-1701536400@memf.org.uk
SUMMARY:Angels and Shepherds: Christmas workshop with Philip Thorby on Saturday 2nd December 2023
DESCRIPTION:Angelus ad Pastores \nThis year we have invited Philip to tutor our pre-Christmas workshop. Philip has found some wonderful music on the theme of Angels and Shepherds in the Christmas story. There will be music by Christoph Buehl\, Hans Leo Hassler\, Johann Hermann Schein and Agostini Soderini. \nThe angels are generally\, well\, angelic\, but the shepherds are revealed as zither-strumming\, boisterous and (as depicted by Schein) initially very grumpy at being woken up by the heavenly host. \nThe workshop will be for voices\, violins\, viols\, cornetts\, sackbuts\, curtals\, recorders and continuo. The pitch will be A440. Tenor viol players/violas please note that most  pieces have octave-treble rather than alto clef parts. \nInstrumentalists please bring a labelled music stand. \n\n \nPhilip Thorby is one of our most popular and respected tutors. He specialises in early Italian Music. Many people will have seen his wonderful Zoom lectures during the lockdown period\, which are still available to watch on this website. \n  \n  \n  \nVenue is Solihull Methodist Church\, next to the Railway station SatNav B91 1LG. There is a large car park with the entrance in Station Approach. \nNB: If approaching from the west along Blossomfield Road\, please note that recent road layout changes mean there is no left turn into Station Approach. Either go completely around the roundabout and then turn right into Station Approach\, or take the first exit at the roundabout into Streetsbrook Road and then turn left into the opposite end of Station Approach at the traffic lights. \nBooking is now closed.
URL:http://memf.org.uk/event/christmas-workshop-for-voices-and-instruments-with-philip-thorby/
LOCATION:Solihull Methodist Church\, Bossomfield Road\,\, Solihull\, B91 1LD\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:A440,brass,Continuo,Loud wind,Recorders,Strings,Viols,Voices,woodwind
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20230909T103000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20230910T170000
DTSTAMP:20260517T223030
CREATED:20221203T202546Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230831T163320Z
UID:7525-1694255400-1694365200@memf.org.uk
SUMMARY:William Byrd weekend- two workshops 9th & 10th September with Alison Kinder & Helen Charlston (9th only)  + AGM
DESCRIPTION:To mark the 400th anniversary of William Byrd’s death we present two individual workshops this weekend and a short concert on Saturday at 5.30 pm. \nThe MEMF  AGM will take place in the lunch break on the Sunday. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSaturday 9th September 2023\nPsalms\, Songs and Sonnets of 1588\nwith Tutors Alison Kinder and Helen Charlston \nThis workshop is the first of MEMF’s celebratory Byrd weekend and will focus on small-scale pieces for voices and instruments. This day is for viols\, low recorders (especially basses\, great- and contra- basses) and voices\, and will focus on pieces from the ‘Psalms\, Songs and Sonnets’ of 1588. Pitch A=440 \nThe Music is likely to include Blessed Is He\, All As A Sea\, Though Amaryllis Dance\, but will be chosen to best suit the forces available once applications have closed. We will spend time all together\, but also have access to a couple of breakout rooms where instrumentalists will be able to work on a consort song with Helen singing. The day will finish with an informal mini-concert to include pieces we have worked on. \nIn addition\, you are invited to submit for performance at the mini concert a piece of Byrd (or Weelkes) prepared in advance\, for any forces (so a viol fantasy\, consort song\, madrigal…).  Please email Jill Davies (daviesmusic@btinternet.com) before 6 September if you would like to offer a piece for the concert.  Friends and relatives are welcome to attend at 5.30 pm. \nSunday 10th September 2023\nWilliam Byrd on a Grand Scale\nThe Sunday workshop is for everyone – Singers\, viols\, recorders\, brass\, double reeds\, anything at pitch A=440 – and will be Tutored by Alison Kinder. Everyone is welcome singing or playing as we celebrate this masterful composer. \nThe Music\nByrd – The Great Service (Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis)\nByrd – Domine Quis Habitabit a9\nWe thought that as Thomas Weelkes shares Byrd’s anniversary\, we ought to allow him a piece as well!  So we will include a Weelkes anthem – either ‘Hosanna to the Son of David’\, or ‘O Lord Arise’ \nMusic will be provided on the day.        Instrumentalists please bring a labelled music stand \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nTheTutors \n \nSince winning the London Handel Singing Competition in 2018\, Helen Charlston has crafted a place for herself at the forefront of the classical music scene in the UK and abroad. A founder participant of the Rising Star of the Enlightenment programme\, she regularly works alongside the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment. She is a BBC New Generation Artist (2021-23) and recently won the 2023 BBC Music Magazine Vocal Awards.\nhttps://www.helencharlston.com/ \n  \n  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAlison Kinder is a viol player with Chelys Consort of Viols\, who this year released a recording of consort songs and instrumental music by William Byrd with Helen singing. Alison is a regular tutor for the various early music fora and on courses including the Easter Early Music Course and NORVIS. She is also a member of the Linarol Consort\, who play on a set of viols copied from the earliest surviving viol\, made in Italy by Francesco Linarolo in about 1540. Alison has a love of working with singers\, and one of her favourite places to be is as the viol player for the female polyphonic ensemble Musica Secreta.\nhttps://www.alisonkinder.co.uk/\nhttps://linarolconsort.com/ \n\n\n\nVenue: Knowle Village Hall is 1.5 miles away from the M42 Junction 5 and approximately 3.5 miles to the east of Solihull town centre.  Nearby bus stops provide frequent transport links to Solihull Station and Dorridge Station. \n  \nBooking is now open – please scroll down\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n 
URL:http://memf.org.uk/event/william-byrd-two-days-with-alison-kinder-9th-10th-september-20123/
LOCATION:Knowle Village Hall\, St John’s Close\, Knowle\, Solihull\, B93 0NN\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:A440,brass,Continuo,Loud wind,Recorders,Strings,Viols,Voices
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20230603T103000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20230603T170000
DTSTAMP:20260517T223030
CREATED:20221203T201818Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230508T181043Z
UID:7523-1685788200-1685811600@memf.org.uk
SUMMARY:Sweelink and Scheidt with George Parris on 3rd June 2023
DESCRIPTION:We are delighted to welcome George Parris having had to cancel his planned workshop in the Spring. \nThis workshop  celebrates the figurehead of the Netherlands’ ‘golden age’: Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck (1562-1621). Primarily known as the organist of the city’s Oude Kerk — where his improvisations earned him the nickname among his contemporaries as the Orpheus of Amsterdam — Sweelinck was prolific across other genres including chansons\, madrigals\, and motets. In this workshop we will combine instruments and voices to perform one of his crowning glories\, the 5-part Magnificat\, along with one of his 153 settings of the Pseaumes of the Genevan Psalter in which Sweelinck mixes grand sacred gestures with colourful madrigalian writing. \n \n  \nForemost among Sweelinck’s many pupils was Samuel Scheidt (1587-1684) from Halle\, a key figure in late-Renaissance/early-Baroque music\, who studied with Sweelinck between 1608-9. The Orpheus of Amsterdam’s influence is still prevalent in one of Scheidt’s most sublime motets for eight voices\, Christ lag in Todesbanden\, from 1620. It will be a day of glorious music and hopefully some new discoveries for everyone\, both musically and linguistically! \nThe workshop is for double SATB choir\, strings/viols\, cornetti\, sackbutts\, 2 x chamber organs and theorbo (A=440) \nGeorge Parris grew up in deepest South Warwickshire and now works as a professional singer\, the Founder and Artistic Director of The Carice Singers (named after Elgar’s daughter)\, an Associate Conductor of Ex Cathedra and one of the Co-Artistic Directors of the Aurore Renaissance Music Festival in Helsinki\, Finland. He has degrees in Music from the Universities of Cambridge and Oxford and studied Conducting at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki between 2017-2020. As a singer he has been trained in early music and ensemble singing\, performed contemporary choral works with the Helsinki Chamber Choir and has appeared as a soloist alongside the Helsinki and Finnish Baroque Orchestras in works by Stradella\, Purcell and Gilles. \nSolihull Methodist Church is close to the centre of Solihull\, at the junction of Blossomfield Rd and Station Approach.  It is right next to Solihull Railway Station\, which is also served by buses. If coming by car\, use postcode B91 1LG for your satnav; there is plenty of parking.  The hall is a separate building to the church and is clearly signed. \nRefreshments are served from 10 am. \nBooking is now open.
URL:http://memf.org.uk/event/sweelink-and-scheidt-with-george-parris-on-3rd-june-2023/
LOCATION:Solihull Methodist Church Hall\, Blosssomfield Road\, Solihull\, B91 1LG\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:A440,Continuo,Loud wind,Strings,Voices,woodwind
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20230520T103000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20230520T170000
DTSTAMP:20260517T223030
CREATED:20221203T201141Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230513T174749Z
UID:7520-1684578600-1684602000@memf.org.uk
SUMMARY:The Sacred Music of Giovanni Battista Casali in C18 Rome with Peter Leech on 20th May 2023
DESCRIPTION:EXPLORING GIOVANNI BATTISTA CASALI (1715-1792) \nRome in the eighteenth century\, far from being the backwater described in many scholarly narratives\, was a cosmopolitan melting pot of cultural influences from all over Europe\, where the palaces and private chapels of Cardinals from widespread lands resonated to the sound of instrumental and vocal music composed by the city’s numerous permanent or itinerant maestri. Likewise\, Rome’s churches resounded with contemporary concertato choral settings in addition to the stile antico repertory perpetuated in the Sistine Chapel and papal basilicas. Depending on where they were employed\, church composers had to be adept with many different techniques\, whether in the form of imitative Palestrinian polyphony (though with much longer and more daring melodic constructs than would have been acceptable in the late 1500s)\, grand polychoral designs (often with orchestral accompaniment)\, or quasi-operatic\, multi-movement masses akin to those performed in other European Catholic capitals such as Vienna\, Madrid and Lisbon. \nIn the anglophone world\, most of the church composers active in Rome after the death of Alessandro Scarlatti (1725) are unknown\, unresearched and unperformed. Their music manuscripts languish in thousands of volumes held by Rome’s music archives\, just waiting to be explored. One such composer is Giovanni Battista Casali\, maestro at S Giovanni in Laterano and the Chiesa Nuova (with additional connections to many other churches) who is mentioned by countless scholars as a leading mid-century composer\, teacher\, and organist\, yet few of his works are known (even in Rome today)\, other than a handful of motets and one or two masses. In the S Giovanni archives alone there are over 500 works attributed to him. \nThis workshop will explore a variety of settings by Casali\, including unaccompanied motets for Lent and Advent\, concertato Vespers psalms for organ and basso continuo (often with virtuoso solo content) and polychoral works. It will be a showcase of the breadth and depth of Casali’s contribution to sacred music in Rome\, a field in which the workshop leader Peter Leech has been immersed for the better part of 20 years. \nWe will be performing with voices and bass instruments. \n \nPeter Leech is a musician with diverse skills and interests\, including late sixteenth-century continental polyphony\, Catholic court musicians in seventeenth-century England\, early Russian Orthodox church music\, seventeenth-century instrumental music and the music of late Georgian and early nineteenth-century English composers. He has over 30 years experience as a choral and orchestral conductor\, composer and musicologist.  www.peterleech.com \nThe Venue   Barnt Green is on the B4120 off the A441 Birmingham to Redditch road and close to junction 2 of the M42. There is limited parking at the church\, but plenty of street parking. Refreshments served from 10.00. \nThe station is a five minute walk away. \nBooking is now open – see below.
URL:http://memf.org.uk/event/music-from-rome-with-peter-leech-on-20th-may-2023/
LOCATION:Barnt Green Church Hall\, The Parish Centre\, Sandhills Road\, Barnt Green\, Birmingham\, B45 8NR\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:A440,Strings,Voices
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20230225T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20230225T170000
DTSTAMP:20260517T223030
CREATED:20221203T185542Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230120T195311Z
UID:7510-1677319200-1677344400@memf.org.uk
SUMMARY:The Noodle Factory  with Paula Chateauneuf on 25th February 2023
DESCRIPTION:The Noodle Factory is a gentle introduction to the art of improvisation\, ornamentation and decoration in the manner of the great 16th- and 17th-century Improvisation Masters. \nSome people think one needs to be born with an ‘Improvisation Gene’ to be able to extemporise\, but this couldn’t be further from the truth.  All that’s required is to learn some basic techniques which can be ‘plugged in’ to a given situation.  16th- and 17th-century writers recognised this\, and their fascinating improvisation manuals contain all the materials you could ever need or want to learn to improvise\, and expand your ear and musical imagination.  This workshop will be a taster session for anyone who would like to try their hand at doing some early improvisation – it’s very informal and no prior improvisation or early music experience is necessary to take part.  However this course is designed to be inclusive – more experienced improvisers are also welcome and will benefit just as much. \nThe day will consist of various sessions during which different aspects of early improvisation will be covered\, starting with a brief introduction to each subject.  We’ll explore the materials in 16th- and 17th-century manuals and how to use them practically\, and then apply those techniques to learn to extemporize on ground basses\, create variations on popular tunes\, and add your own graces and ornamentation to pre-composed pieces.  There will be both solo and ensemble opportunities.  Improvisation enhances\, intensifies\, and ‘seasons’ performances\, and helps you to make a piece your own.  Singers and instrumentalists are welcome (Pitch A+440) – come along and dip your toe in the water! \nThe Tutor: Paula Chateauneuf’s playing has been described as “one of the most exciting things on the pre-classical concert circuit”.  A Fulbright Scholar to London\, she soon established herself there as one of early music’s leading soloists and ensemble players and became the linchpin of numerous groups including the Gabrieli Consort\, New London Consort and Sinfonye.  She has also performed with the Academy of Ancient Music\, Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment\, English Concert\, His Majestys Sagbutts and Cornetts\, Handel and Haydn Society\, Avison Ensemble\, De Nederlandse Bachvereniging\, and Jordi Savall’s Le Concert des Nations. \nPaula’s repertoire spans medieval music to the baroque\, with particular expertise in early improvisation and the music of early 17th-century Italy.  Her knowledge and skill in the art of basso continuo has made her one of the most sought-after accompanists in early music\, resulting in fruitful collaborations with many leading singers.  Her wealth of experience in early opera has led to involvement as both repetiteur and continuo player for numerous international opera houses\, including Bayerische Staatsoper\, Maggio Musicale Fiorentino\, Royal Opera House\, English National Opera\, and Glyndebourne Festival Opera. \nVenue Dorridge Village Hall is at the end of a driveway (with a height barrier) off the B4101 between Dorridge and Hockley Heath and is easy to reach from the M42.. The satnav is not pinpoint accurate so when you get near look for :the following: \nFrom Hockley Heath\, the driveway to the Hall is the first right after the Railway pub\, before the “Welcome to Dorridge” signs and the start of the built-up area. \nFrom Dorridge centre\, the driveway to the Hall is the first left after Dorridge Park. If you get to the Railway pub you have gone too far. \nBooking is now open until 17th February – scroll down for the booking form.
URL:http://memf.org.uk/event/improvisation-with-paula-chateauneuf-on-25th-february-2023/
LOCATION:Dorridge Village Hall\, Grange Road\, Dorridge\, B93 8QA
CATEGORIES:A440,brass,Loud wind,Recorders,Strings,Voices,woodwind
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20221217T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20221217T170000
DTSTAMP:20260517T223030
CREATED:20220910T145220Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20221106T190707Z
UID:6917-1671271200-1671296400@memf.org.uk
SUMMARY:Benevoli Mass for four choirs c 1650 with Robert Hollingworth
DESCRIPTION:Expect a wonderful day with one of our favourite Tutors to get you in the spirit of Christmas! Robert has not told us which of Benevoli’s four masses we will be singing – he is still editing them! This is an opportunity to discover a really important figure – a lost link if you like – in the world of multi-choir music in the mid-seventeenth century: ORAZIO BENEVOLI.  We will get to know a newly edited mass for four choirs and this time (unlike so much Venetian music) the choirs are manageable by all voices so plenty of male voices please \nWe will also be singing Sweelinck’s Hodie Christus Natus Est to get us in the Christmas spirit and there will be mince pies! \nPitch =A440 suitable for strings\, recorders\, cornetts\,  sackbuts and dulcians doubling the choral parts\, and continuo including theorbo and bass instruments. \nRobert founded I Fagiolini in 1986 and has spent much of his life thinking around how to present music of a different time and context to contemporary audiences.  He has presented all the group’s signature projects but also directed the English Concert\, Academy of Ancient Music\, BBC Concert Orchestra and some of the world’s finest chamber choirs including Accentus\, NDR Chor\, BBC Singers\, RIAS Kammerchor\, Capella Cracoviensis\, VOCES8 and the Danish National Vocal Ensemble. He succeeds Mark Deller as Artistic Director for the Stour Music festival from 2020\, and is Reader in Music at the University of York where he directs ‘The 24’ and runs an MA in Solo-Voice Ensemble Singing.  During lockdown he created and presented ‘Sing The Score’ on Youtube and the podcast ‘Choral Chihuahua’ with Eamonn Dougan and Harry Christophers.  He likes Monteverdi and Monty Python.   \nBooking is now open..
URL:http://memf.org.uk/event/benevoli-mass-for-four-choirs-c-1650-with-robert-hollingworth/
LOCATION:St Philip’s Church Centre\, Dorridge\, B93 8DX
CATEGORIES:A440,brass,Continuo,Recorders,Strings,Voices
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20220917T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20220917T170000
DTSTAMP:20260517T223030
CREATED:20220301T130626Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220904T201155Z
UID:4578-1663408800-1663434000@memf.org.uk
SUMMARY:Schütz and his World - with Tutor Gawain Glenton
DESCRIPTION:This workshop will focus on the works of Heinrich Schütz and his brilliant German 17th-century contemporaries. \nSchütz is regarded today as the leading German composer before Bach\, but there is still much we can learn about his life and world (for example his first name: he only ever signed himself Henrich). Born in Thuringia in 1582\, he received early training at the court of Moritz von Hessen-Kassel before being allowed to study for three years in Venice with Giovanni Gabrieli. This sparked in Schütz a life-long desire to incorporate the sounds and styles of Venetian music into German musical life\, a project he would take to great heights during his long tenure as kapellmeister at the court of the Elector of Saxony in Dresden. \nSchütz was not the only German composer to be inspired in this way. Michael Praetorius also wrote highly Italianate music despite never travelling south of the alps (thanks to the explosion in Venetian music printing he could educate himself in the latest styles via imported printed editions). Hans Leo Hassler meanwhile made the journey to Venice a decade before Schütz\, also studying with Gabrieli. \nMore broadly\, Schütz was just one of many gifted German kapellmeister composers who produced music of great skill and emotional depth in the appalling backdrop of the Thirty Years War which ran from 1618-48. We will also explore large-scale works by some of these\, including Hammerschmidt\, Staden and Berger. \nWe invite singers and players of renaissance strings (from the viol and violin families) and winds (in particular cornetts\, sackbuts and dulcians). Pitch A=440. Music will be provided\, but players must bring your own music stand. \n \n  \nThe Tutor – Gawain Glenton is a specialist cornetto player whose work as a soloist and an ensemble musician takes him all over the world and is a member and co-director of  the English Cornett and Sackbut Ensemble. \n  \n  \nThe Venue: St Mary’s Church is in St Mary’s Place situated just off the main street (Greengate Street) accessible on foot by the side of Boots Chemist or the Ancient High House. Road access (drop-off only) off Earl Street. \nSTOP PRESS: THERE IS A TRAIN STRIKE SCHEDULED FOR THIS DAY SO PLEASE CHECK BEFORE TRAVELLING. If you have no other way to get there please get in touch with Tim Boardman on 07794 837396 and he will try and help. \nFrom Stafford Station (five minutes walk): turn left then immediately right over the river bridge\, straight on through pedestrian area between Stafford College and law courts into St Mary’s Place. Regular direct trains from Birmingham New St. \nPlease note that the church does not have its own car park. We have arranged for a limited number of parking spaces in the church close\, for those bringing bulky instruments or those with limited mobility. Please telephone or message Tim Boardman if you would like to make use of one of these spaces\, and please try to car-share where possible. Tim’s mobile: 07794 837396. \nDetails of town car parks can be found at https://www.staffordbc.gov.uk/car-parking-in-stafford. The website includes a link to a map. Note that some car parks are pay-by-phone only. \nBooking is now open.
URL:http://memf.org.uk/event/schutz-and-his-world-with-tutor-gawain-glenton/
LOCATION:Collegiate Church of St  Mary’s \, Stafford
CATEGORIES:A440,Loud wind,Recorders,Strings,Viols,Voices,woodwind
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20220205T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20220205T170000
DTSTAMP:20260517T223030
CREATED:20211010T204723Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220111T152106Z
UID:3852-1644055200-1644080400@memf.org.uk
SUMMARY:The Gabrieli Times Table with Tutor Alison Kinder
DESCRIPTION:This will be an innovative multi choir day of music by Giovanni Gabrieli\, with Tutor Ali Kinder\, increasing the choir numbers as we go from 6 parts\, to 8 parts (two choirs)\, to 12 parts (three choirs) and 14 parts (three choirs) \nWe welcome all singers and instrumentalists (strings\, recorders\, reeds and brass all welcome) Pitch A=440. Fees for MEMF and other EMF members is £18\, non-members £23. \n  \nGiovanni Gabrieli\nNephew of the great Andrea Gabrieli and student of Orlando Lassus\, Giovanni Gabrieli held the posts of both principal organist and principal composer at the basilica of St Mark’s in Venice. This workshop will look at four pieces from his vast output\, two with sacred texts and two secular. As well as being beautiful music\, it will hopefully be fun to witness the expansion of our ensemble into ever increasing numbers of parts during the day! \n  \nAlison Kinder read Music at Oxford and then studied viol with Alison Crum at Trinity College of Music\, being awarded the college’s Silver Medal for Early Music Studies. Her love is of viols in all shapes and sizes\, from soundpost-less Renaissance instruments to 7-string baroque basses. Alison is an enthusiastic teacher both privately and on courses\, and she runs the Rondo Viol Academy with fellow teacher and player Jacqui Robertson-Wade \n  \nBooking now open – please scroll down
URL:http://memf.org.uk/event/the-gabrieli-times-table-with-tutor-alison-kinder/
LOCATION:Dorridge Village Hall\, Grange Road\, Dorridge\, B93 8QA
CATEGORIES:A440,brass,Recorders,Strings,Viols,Voices,woodwind
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20211204T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20211204T170000
DTSTAMP:20260517T223030
CREATED:20210818T191733Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211108T122449Z
UID:3559-1638612000-1638637200@memf.org.uk
SUMMARY:Christmas Workshop with Steve Davis
DESCRIPTION:Our Christmas Live Workshop will be a joyful day with Steve Davis and this time festive refreshments will be provided. \nThe workshop will explore three works – Gabrieli: In Ecclesiis\, Schütz: Weinachtshistorie and Sweelink: Hodie Christus Natus Est. There will be opportunities for some solo singing and some interesting instrumental playing as well as ensemble work\, with a run through of some of the music at the end of the day. \nWe welcome all voices\, cornets/trumpet\, sackbuts/trombones\, recorders\, viols\, violins and continuo instruments. The pitch will be A440 and the cost for the day is £18 for MEMF and other EMF members\, non – members £23 \n   \n  \nTo get to the church you drive along the B4101 from the Knowle direction into Dorridge and under a railway bridge.  There is a Sainsbury’s garage on the left after the bridge and you need to turn right after this onto Manor Road. The church is immediately on the right.  There are plenty of disabled parking places and a few others.  However\, there is a large public car park immediately behind the church. To get to it you turn right immediately after going under the railway bridge and before the Sainsbury’s garage.  This is a station over-spill park which is free at weekends. The signs do not point this out\, but this has been confirmed by Chiltern Railways and the Council. \n \n \nStephen began singing lessons with the late Mary Parsons\, and subsequently went to the Birmingham Conservatoire where he studied singing with Brian Raynor-Cook and conducting with Roy Wales and Jonathan Delmar. After graduating with distinction\, he studied with Jessica Cash\, Pamela Cook\, Andrew King and Ian Partridge. He has been a regular soloist with many of the leading choirs in the Midlands\, most notably Ex Cathedra\, the region’s foremost chamber choir\, and has also sung with the Britten Singers\, Northern Voices\, London Voices\, The Academy of Ancient Music and The Schütz Choir of London.  He is musical director for Halesowen Choral Society\, having been appointed in 2004. He also works as guest conductor for several other choirs in the Midlands.  He has recently retired from teaching singing at Malvern College\, and as music librarian for Ex Cathedra (although remaining a singer with the choir). \nPlease scroll down for the booking form.
URL:http://memf.org.uk/event/schutz-gabrieli-workshop-with-steve-davies/
LOCATION:St Philip’s Church Centre\, Dorridge\, B93 8DX
CATEGORIES:A440,brass,Loud wind,Recorders,Strings,Voices,woodwind
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20211106T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20211106T170000
DTSTAMP:20260517T223030
CREATED:20210818T190813Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211010T201920Z
UID:3557-1636192800-1636218000@memf.org.uk
SUMMARY:Josquin 500 with David Hatcher
DESCRIPTION:  \nFollowing on from their excellent Josquin 500 festival of concerts and online events\, David Hatcher from The Linarol Consort of renaissance viols is going to lead this workshop for voices and viols (Jacobean and Renaissance) at A440 pitch. \nWe will be celebrating the life of Josquin.  Imagine\, shortly after his death in Condé sur Escaut on August 27th\, 1521\, that a group of this associates\, friends\, and colleagues\, gather together to privately lament his recent passing. They are singers\, but they are also players of the still relatively new viol and have access to copies of a number of his greatest works that would normally have been heard only in church without instrumental participation. With this as our pretence\, we will look at a selection of motets written by Josquin\, including what was possibly his last work\, Pater noster/Ave Maria\, which he asked to be sung in front of his house on religious processions. We will also take a look at some of the many songs of lamentation that were composed in his memory \n  \nLinarol Consort \nDavid Hatcher was born in Warwick and upon attaining the LTCL diploma two years after taking up music\, he went on to study viola da gamba with Charles Medlam and recorder with Philip Thorby at Trinity College of Music\, London.  In 1987 he moved to Japan where he was to remain for the next 9 years\, taking an active part in that country’s flourishing early music scene.  David now lives in Leominster on the Welsh Marches and regularly teaches on summer schools and is in demand as a tutor for many weekend and day courses.  He is a founder member of The Linarol Consort of Viols\, exploring the rich heritage of early 16th century music. \n  \nPlease scroll down to book. \n 
URL:http://memf.org.uk/event/josquin-workshop-with-david-hatcher/
LOCATION:Solihull Methodist Church\, Blossomfield Road\, Solihull\, B91 1LG\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:A440,Viols,Voices
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20211023T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20211024T170000
DTSTAMP:20260517T223030
CREATED:20210627T182614Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20210920T182844Z
UID:3437-1634983200-1635094800@memf.org.uk
SUMMARY:Welcome to Beautiful Venice - with Philip Thorby
DESCRIPTION:Philip will introduce us to a feast of music showing Venice at her most extravagant and sumptuous best in order to welcome royal and distinguished guests.  In 1574 King Henri III of France visited the Serenissima and Andrea Gabrieli wrote the 10 part “Ecco Vinegia Bella” for the occasion. The King attended services in San Marco and we will represent this with Andrea Gabrieli’s sumptuous 16 part Gloria and Claudio Merulo’s setting of the Te Deum verse “Salvum Fac Populum”. Andrea also composed “Dal Gran Tuonante” for a distinguished lady visitor. \nIn this 2 day workshop we will also enjoy Giovanni Gabrieli’s 12 part motet “Virtute Magna” in honour of St Mark and “Udite\, Chiari” to celebrate the Sposalizio\, the annual ceremony when the Doge marries Venice to the sea. \nPhilip Thorby is a specialist in music of the Italian Renaissance\, particularly Venetian. Formerly a Professor at Trinity College\, Philip has become one of the most popular of workshop tutors. His four Zoom lectures on the music of Venice earlier this year were stunning and widely acclaimed. They can be viewed on another page of this website. \nThis workshop is for all voices\, cornets\, sackbuts\, curtals\, recorders\, viols\, violins and continuo instruments. The pitch will be 440. \nBooking now open – please scroll down for the booking form.
URL:http://memf.org.uk/event/welcome-to-beautiful-venice-with-philip-thorby/
LOCATION:Solihull School
CATEGORIES:A440,brass,Loud wind,Recorders,Strings,Viols,Voices,woodwind
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20191214T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20191214T170000
DTSTAMP:20260517T223030
CREATED:20190411T205233Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20190908T145643Z
UID:1320-1576317600-1576342800@memf.org.uk
SUMMARY:Michael Praetorius: Motets from Polyhymnia Caduceatrix et Panegyrica
DESCRIPTION:Workshop for voices and instruments (A=440) with Tutor David Hatcher in Selly Oak. \nIn 1619\, Two years before his death\, Praetorius published the Polyhymnia Caduceatrix et Panegyrica – 40 choral concerts or motets in the Italian style\, modelled on works by Giovanni Gabrieli and Monteverdi. The basis of these works was Protestant hymns with instruments supporting the groups of singers. In this new style the instruments\, with a basso continuo (consisting of organ\, lute\, theorbo\, etc)\, became more important – adding interludes and symphonies. These “concerts composed in many kinds and manners” were performed at various gatherings and “filled with all sorts of musical instruments and human voices\, including trumpets and army timpani; with voices in 2 to 6 choirs”.  \nDavid Hatcher is well known to many of us from previous workshops and courses and is in great demand as a tutor.  He is an exceptional performer on a wide range of early instruments and has played and recorded with numerous period ensembles both in this country and abroad.
URL:http://memf.org.uk/event/christmas-workshop/
LOCATION:Selly Oak Methodist Church Hall\, Langleys Road\, Birmingham\, B29 6HT\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:A440,brass,Recorders,Strings,Voices,woodwind
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20190713T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20190713T170000
DTSTAMP:20260517T223030
CREATED:20190404T145022Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20190410T111101Z
UID:1292-1563012000-1563037200@memf.org.uk
SUMMARY:The Delights of Summer
DESCRIPTION:A workshop with Tutor Alison Kinder for all voices and instruments enjoying the delights of Summer. A time when The Leaves be Green\, Fair Phyliss is to be found feeding her flock\, nymphs and shepherds are courting and dancing\, and All Creatures Now Are Merry Minded. We’ll have a predominantly English day\, with composers including Wilbye\, Farmer\, Bennett and Morley. Such as John Bennett’s ‘All Creatures Now’ (5-part)\, and the Morley ‘Hard By A Crystal Fountain’ (6-part)\, and Farmer ‘Ye Blessed Bowers’ (8-part). \nWe welcome all voices\, strings (viols and violin family)\, recorders\, brass\, housetrained double reeds and wind caps (it would be wise to have a quieter alternative instrument or voice with you too for the daintier nymph and shepherd moments…!) \nFind the details in the leaflet below.
URL:http://memf.org.uk/event/the-delights-of-summer/
LOCATION:St George’s Church\, Rugby\, St.John's Avenue\, Hillmorton\, Rugby\, CV22 5HR\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:A440,brass,Loud wind,Recorders,Strings,Viols,Voices,woodwind
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20190511T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20190512T170000
DTSTAMP:20260517T223030
CREATED:20181201T212943Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20190222T120947Z
UID:1229-1557568800-1557680400@memf.org.uk
SUMMARY:Missa Diligam te Domine a12 by Valentini
DESCRIPTION:We welcome back Philip Thorby for this two day Workshop for voices and Instruments.  He has again uncovered a masterpiece for us with the Missa Diligam te Domine a 12 by Giovanni Valentini. Published in Venice in 1621\, this is a spectacular composition which in many ways reminds us of Monteverdi and Gabrieli\, but also has its own special qualities. \nValentini was an Italian composer\, poet and keyboard virtuoso overshadowed in history by his contemporaries Monteverdi and Sch?tz and his compositions are now unjustifiably neglected. He was probably born in Venice and was reported to have been a pupil of Giovanni Gabrieli.  \nFor this workshop we will need many voices and a variety of instruments for doubling or replacing vocal parts. These can include cornets\, sackbuts\, curtals\, recorders\, viols and continuo\, including lutes. \nPlease download the leaflet for more details and the timetable for the day.
URL:http://memf.org.uk/event/missa-diligam-te-domine-a12-by-valentini/
LOCATION:Solihull School
CATEGORIES:A440,brass,Loud wind,Recorders,Strings,Voices
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20181201T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20181201T170000
DTSTAMP:20260517T223030
CREATED:20180620T135221Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20181112T230807Z
UID:1064-1543658400-1543683600@memf.org.uk
SUMMARY:In Dulci Jubilo - Seasonal music by Praetorius
DESCRIPTION:Workshop for voices and all instruments exploring Christmas motets by Michael Praetorius\, tutored by Steven Devine
URL:http://memf.org.uk/event/music-to-be-announced/
LOCATION:West Orchard United Reformed Church\, 83 Baginton Road\,Styvechale\, Coventry\, CV3 6FP\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:A440,Loud wind,Recorders,Strings,Viols,Voices
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20181013T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20181013T170000
DTSTAMP:20260517T223030
CREATED:20180630T114924Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20180923T145836Z
UID:1093-1539424800-1539450000@memf.org.uk
SUMMARY:Laetatus Sum - Music of the Italian Renaissance
DESCRIPTION:Workshop for voices and instruments @ pitch A440 with Philip Thorby. A buffet lunch will be provided at this specially chosen workshop in recognition of Mike Ashley’s long service on the MEMF committee.
URL:http://memf.org.uk/event/laetatus-sum-music-of-the-italian-renaissance/
LOCATION:St.Faith & St.Laurence Church Hall\, Balden Road\, Harborne\, Birmingham\, B32 2EL\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:A440,Loud wind,Recorders,Strings,Voices
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR