Midlands Early Music Forum

Pentecostal Polychoral Music with Mark Wilson on 12th September 2026
2026-09-12 10:30 - 17:00 (Europe/London) | The Oddfellows Hall, Stafford
This workshop is for voices and all instruments and continuo. It is ‘a delve into the interplay between singers and instrumentalists in music recently rediscovered.’
Some of the pieces featured are new to modern performance. Repertoire to include (if forces allow):
Romero – Yn Devotione
Massaino – Dum Essent Discipuli
Osculati – Hodie Completi Sunt
1 x surprise piece!
Mark Wilson is a tutor new to MEMF but not to those who have attended the Stafford Music Festival in the last two years. He graduated from the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire in 2019 with First Class Honours, having been awarded two scholarships to study. He specialises in historical bassoons and studied both dulcian and baroque bassoon with Andrew Watts and Ursula Leveaux.
Aside from his work with the English Wind Consort and his own baroque group, Ensemble La Notte, Mark also freelances as a period bassoonist with many UK-based early music ensembles, including the Academy of Ancient Music, the Musical and Amicable Society, Instruments of Time and Truth, and the Oxford Bach Soloists.
Mark also has a strong background in the world of choral music and for several years sung with the choirs of Worcester and Birmingham Cathedrals. In 2022 he was pleased to undertake the role of Director of Music at Pembroke College, Oxford University. He also founded and directs the alumni choir of Oxford University, Standish Consort.

The workshop will run from 10.30 till 5 with registration at 10.00, lunch 1-2 (bring your own or use local pubs and cafes) and tea approx 3pm.
The venue – The Oddfellows Hall Stafford (https://www.oddfellows.co.uk/branches/mid-staffordshire-district-branch/) – is a recently-modernised, church hall style building in Greengate Street in the centre of Stafford. The hall is a first-floor space with stairs and lift for access; it is comfortable, light and spacious.
The hall is less than ten minutes’ walk from Stafford railway station.
Details of town car parks can be found here. If you are bringing an instrument that will be difficult to carry from a car park to the venue, please contact the Organiser directly.
The Organiser is Tim Boardman 07794 837396.
Booking is now open – book here.

Workshop for Voices and Instruments with Philip Thorby on 14th November 2026
2026-11-14 10:30 - 17:00 | Solihull Methodist Church Hall, Blosssomfield Road, Solihull, B91 1LG, United Kingdom
We welcome back Philip Thorby to lead this workshop in Solihull.
Details tba

Workshop for voices and instruments with Alison Kinder on December 5th 2026
2026-12-05 10:30 - 17:00 | Dorridge Village Hall, Grange Road, Dorridge, B93 8QA
We welcome back Alison Kinder to lead this workshop. Details tba.
