Midlands Early Music Forum

SingTheScore Extra with Robert Hollingworth
2021-01-09 11:00 - 12:00 (Europe/London) | Zoom
Another in our popular series of webinars with Robert Hollingworth of I Fagiolini and a special guest. Robert is a natural chat show host and these Saturday mornings are always entertaining and informative. Robert will talk about the music he has chosen and you will have a chance to sing it through twice. Music links will be sent out in advance when you book.
This week’s guest is Ekaterina Antonenko who is the director of Intrada Choir in Moscow. They are giving the final Live From London Concert on Thursday 8th January at 7pm.
Please book below – you will receive the music links after you have booked as we do not have them yet.

The Music of Epiphany Part 1: Gifts and Stars with Patrick Craig
2020-12-20 20:00 - 21:00 | Online(Zoom)
Another of Patrick’s entertaining talks illustrated with pictures and music.
Epiphany is a season of revelation – not only of the gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, but even of life itself. We are called to respond with gratitude and there will be much of that in this evening’s music. It was a star that led the Magi to the stable, and composers have been inspired to describe this heavenly light in ever more inventive ways. Enhanced by the beautiful art of Epiphany, we shall hear performances from many of Early Music’s greatest stars, including the music of Palestrina, Handl, Byrd, and Victoria.
Booking is now open (see below).
Part 2 – Journeys and Dreams – will be hosted by TVEMF and EEMF on 14th January 2021. You will need to book this on either of their websites.

SingTheScore EXTRA with Robert Hollingworth
2020-12-12 11:00 - 12:00
Another in our popular series of webinars with Robert Hollingworth of I Fagiolini and a MYSTERY guest. Robert is a natural chat show host and these Saturday mornings are always entertaining and informative. This week you can sing along with –
Pygott Quid petis o fili and, as a Christmas cracker, two short movements from a Banchieri madrigal comedy. You will receive the music links and the joining instructions when you book – see below.

SingTheScore EXTRA with Robert Hollingworth
2020-11-28 11:00 - 12:00 | Online(Zoom)
Another in our popular series of webinars with Robert Hollingworth of I Fagiolini and a surprise guest. Robert is a natural chat show host and these Saturday mornings are always entertaining and informative. Plus there is something to sing along with – music links are sent out in advance once you have booked – see below.

Bach and Handel with Patrick Craig
2020-11-20 19:30 - 21:00 | Online(Zoom)
Bach and Handel – Separated at Birth. 1685 was an extraordinary year for music. Two world class composers were born 130km and just one month apart. Much of their childhood development mirrored the other, but their careers took very different directions, and they never met. Patrick will reunite these two giants, with a special focus on their vocal music, which has inspired his career as both a countertenor and a conductor.
Patrick has been a Vicar Choral at St Paul’s Cathedral for twenty five years and sings regularly with the award winning early music ensemble, the Cardinall’s Musick. For twenty years he sang across the world with the Tallis Scholars. Highlights as a soloist have included memorable performances of Handel’s Messiah and Bach’s St John Passion in St Paul’s, and recent recitals featuring settings of the poetry of Wilfred Owen and performances with the harpist Frances Kelly. While Organ Scholar of Selwyn College, Cambridge, he founded the all female professional choir Aurora Nova, who have sung regular Sunday services in St Pauls Cathedral for over twenty years. Patrick regularly leads choral workshops which explore music in its historical and cultural context.
He has developed a series of online illustrated lectures of which this is one to help us cope with the current conditions. All donations will go directly to Patrick and he very generously donates a portion to ‘Help Musician’s Coronal Hardship Fund’ so please donate what you can.
Booking now open below.

SingTheScore EXTRA with Robert Hollingworth
2020-11-14 10:00 - 2020-11-15 11:00 | Online(Zoom)
Another in our popular series of webinars with Robert Hollingworth of I Fagiolini with special guest Belinda Sykes, director of Joglaresa, singer and player of wind instruments. Robert is a natural chat show host and these Saturday mornings are always entertaining and informative. Plus We will be singing Loquebantur variis linguis an eight part piece by the Spanish composer Don Fernando de las Infantas. The link to the score will be sent when you sign up (booking form is below).
Please note starting time this time is 10am

SingTheScore EXTRA with Robert Hollingworth
2020-10-31 11:00 - 12:00 | Online(Zoom)
Another in our popular series of webinars with Robert Hollingworth of I Fagiolini and a special guest. Robert is a natural chat show host and these Saturday mornings are always entertaining and informative. This week’s guest is James Weekes, director of Exaudi, writer of I Fagiolini’s Monteverdi series sleeve notes, also a composer and raconteur! Plus there is something to sing along with – music links are sent out in advance once you have booked. See form below.

Tallis' Seven(-part) Wonders of the World with Will Dawes
2020-10-24 11:00 - 12:30 | Online(Zoom)
The four works scored for seven parts by Thomas Tallis are amongst his most spectacular compositions. They are Loquebantur, Suscipe Quaeso, Missa Puer Natus est Nobis, and Miserere nostri. Each is perfectly created and two of them contain some exceptionally clever compositional devices. This session will give a little history to each of the pieces and allow you the opportunity to sing (along) with Stile Antico, the Sixteen, and the Tallis Scholars.
Will Dawes is Director of Chapel Music of Somerville College, Oxford, Director of Music at the church of St Mary Magdalen, Oxford, Conductor of Ensemble 45, and was the Director of Frideswide Voices (Oxford’s first liturgical choir for 7-14 year-old girls) from its inception in 2014 till July 2019.
He studied Choral Conducting and Voice at the Royal Academy of Music under the direction of Patrick Russill, Paul Brough and David Lowe. On graduating, he was awarded the Thomas Armstrong Prize for Choral Direction. He was made an Associate of the RAM in 2018, an honour awarded to RAM alumni for making a significant contribution to the music profession.
Aside from his career as a conductor, Will is active as a consort singer and is a member of the internationally acclaimed and multiple-Grammy-nominated vocal ensemble Stile Antico. The group performs all over the globe, so far including concerts at the Wigmore Hall, BBC Proms, nearly 100 concerts in the USA, as well as performances in South Korea, Colombia, Mexico, and Canada and all over the EU. They performed at the 2018 GRAMMY ceremony in Madison Square Garden in NYC.
For further information, check out www.willdawes.co.uk or follow him on twitter @wjbdawes
Please book below.

SingTheScore EXTRA with Robert Hollingworth
2020-10-17 10:00 - 11:00 | Online(Zoom)
Another in our popular series of webinars with Robert Hollingworth of I Fagiolini. This week’s guest is Deborah Roberts,
Soprano and co-founder/director of the Brighton Early Music Festival. She has also sung with the Tallis Scholars and has appeared as soloist with the Deller Consort, London Baroque, Consort of Musicke, and the English Concert.
Robert is a natural chat show host and these Saturday mornings are always entertaining and informative. Plus there is something to sing along with – links to this week’s music, Bennet: All Creatures now and Revenscroft: Three Ravens, are available once you have sent off the booking form below.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS WEEK’S SESSION BEGINS AN HOUR EARLIER AT 10AM

Prima la Parola - a Zoom talk by Emma Kirkby
2020-10-10 11:00 - 12:00 | Online(Zoom)
Prima la Parola – In praise of Speaking Harmony.
Under this title, misquoting Salieri and stealing a phrase from Dowland, Emma aims to celebrate the power and joy of song lyric. Poems in Tudor England were often published as “Songs”, and “lyric” means “apt for the lyre”. Though the human voice was dutifully admired as the perfect instrument because it was entrusted with the words, it was the alchemical blend of a voice with an instrument that had, as Dowland said, “higher authority and power”.
These days the lucky singers of what we call “early music” have a plethora of historical instruments eager to accompany them, in a balance perfect for delivering the text. Emma has benefitted from this for decades now, finding endless interest and excitement in her search for ever more effective ways to “embody” a lyric.
In her presentation for MEMF she will share her ideas on this, and play tracks of singers she admires, both those who inspired her early on, and the new voices that excite her now.
Please book below.

O Quam Tristis: music for the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows, online with David Allinson
2020-09-15 19:30 - 21:00 | Online(Zoom)
We are delighted that David Allinson will be running this online workshop for us. David will explore two of the greatest Renaissance settings of the Stabat Mater, written roughly a century apart, by John Browne and Palestrina.The Stabat Mater is a medieval hymn which re-imagines the intensity of Mary’s experiences at the foot of the Cross. In its drama, solemnity and pathos it offers composers ample opportunities for inspired writing.
In this workshop, David celebrates the astonishing setting for six voices by John Browne, perhaps the greatest talent in the late 15th century Eton Choirbook, and Palestrina, leading composer in Rome during the Counter-Reformation. Where Browne is profuse and turbulent, Palestrina’s double choir setting is direct and poignant.
Expect a talk laced with humour (despite the subject matter!) that mixes historical, analytical and practical musical thinking.
You will receive links to the scores after you have booked below.

For the Honour of City & Court with William Lyons
2020-08-22 11:00 - 12:00 | Online(Zoom)
We saw William doing a very short guest session on Robert Hollingworth’s SingTheScore Extra a few weeks ago. It was so interesting, we asked him to do a whole workshop for us on these fascinating instruments.
His talk will discuss the various and varied roles of wind and brass players in civic and court bands in the 16th and 17th centuries. The splendid sight and sound of shawms, sackbuts, cornetts, trumpets and other wind instruments was considered an essential element in demonstrating wealth and status and Bill will examine the instruments and repertoire of the official bands in European cities and courts, playing examples and demonstrating his own specialised instruments: recorders, flutes, shawms, dulcians, crumhorns and the rackett.
William is the Director of the City Musick and the Dufay Collective and is a regular performer with other early music groups. He can be heard on numerous film soundtracks and has composed and arranged music for film and TV, including the original music for the film The Favourite. He has a long association with the Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre as a composer, performer, Musical Director and Historical Music Adviser.

SingTheScore EXTRA with Robert Hollingworth
2020-07-25 11:00 - 12:00 | Online(Zoom)
Another in our popular series of webinars with Robert Hollingworth of I Fagiolini and a surprise guest. Robert is a natural chat show host and these Saturday mornings are always entertaining and informative. Plus there is something to sing along with (music is sent out in advance) – this week Byrd’s Though Amaryllis Dance in Green and Ignazio Donati’s Dulcis Amor Iesu . Sign up below.

St Paul's: Resurgam - an illustrated talk by Patrick Craig
2020-07-20 19:30 - 20:30 | Zoom
The last time St Paul’s Cathedral was deprived of music for this long was after the devastating Fire of London in 1666. But in 1697 Christopher Wren was able to triumphantly declare RESURGAM as the phoenix rose from the ashes. Patrick will look at music from either side of this momentous event. He will also guide us through the finest repertoire from across the Cathedral’s liturgical year. Escorted by a selection of his favourite photographs, music and videos he will aim to convey the glories of twenty-five years of singing in this extraordinary building.
Patrick, with his flowery shirts, is one of our popular workshop tutors and is an engaging speaker. Do join us.

Sing The Score EXTRA with Robert Hollingworth
2020-06-27 11:00 - 12:00
We have a lovely treat from Robert for you on Saturday 27th
Sign up here:
https://form.jotform.com/201734123524344
Payment details are on the form when you click the link
What we are singing:
Two relatively unknown English madrigals this week – both quite a handful: you’ll enjoy getting to know them!
Wilbye – Cruel, behold my heavy ending
(There’s a recording of The Consort of Musicke on Youtube)
Tomkins – Oft did I marle (I’m sure we’ll find out what ‘marling’ is on the day)
(on I Fagiolini’s Musicke Divine CD)
And a surprise guest as always.
A great bonus from Robert and I Fagiolini
You’ll remember I Fagiolini’s ‘Cake Mix’ a few weeks back: it is now up again with the two other mini-films they made. You can see it here:
https://youtu.be/mRzqZ7NJq9M
If you enjoy it, please share it with a choir and friends!
Remember there is also SingTheScore – all episodes live at www.ifagiolini.com/singthescore and that they come out at Friday 6pm

Handel: Judas Maccabeus - postponed to 2021
2020-06-13 10:00 - 17:00 | Knowle Village Hall, St John’s Close, Knowle, Solihull, B93 0NN, United Kingdom
Workshop for Voices and Instruments with Tutor Justin Doyle + AGM.
Information and booking details available end of March

Hail Queen of Heaven - Iberian Music for the Blessed Virgin Mary
2020-05-09 10:00 - 17:00 | Selly Oak Methodist Church Hall, Langleys Road, Birmingham, B29 6HT, United Kingdom
Workshop for voices with Tutor Will Dawes. POSTPONED
Devotion to Mary as Queen of Heaven in 16th and 17th century Spain and Portugal found brilliant expression in the four great seasonal Marian antiphons sung after Compline. Will Dawes has chosen settings by the finest composers of the period, including Alonso Lobo, Padilla and Morales, as well as Victoria’s glorious 8-part ‘Ave Maria’. This rich, complex music, some for double choir, conveys moods that vary from serenity to lively dances of praise. Do join us for the privilege of spending a day singing such joyful music:
Pedro de Cristo (c1545-1618) – Alma Redemptoris Mater
Juan Gutiérrez de Padilla (c1590-1664) – Ave Regina
Alonso Lobo (c1555 – 1617) – Ave Regina Coelorum
Pedro de Escobar (c1470 – c1550) – Regina Caeli Laetare
Francisco Guerrero (1528 – 1599) – Regina Caeli Laetare
Diogo Dias Melgás (1638 – 1700) – Salve Regina
Cristóbal de Morales (1500-1553) – Salve Regina
Tomás Luis de Victoria (c1548 – 1611) – Ave Maria
Tutor
Will Dawes is Director of Chapel Music at Somerville College Oxford, a member of Stile Antico, a former Director of the Orlando Chamber Choir in London and the Director of Music at the Church of St Mary Magdalen in Oxford He is also a very popular workshop tutor, having worked for the Lacock courses, Run By Singers, EEMF, TVEMF, SEMF, and BMEMF. This will be his third visit to MEMF.

Johann Rosenmüller
2020-03-21 10:00 - 17:00 | Coton Centre, Tamworth, Church Comberford Road, Tamworth, B79 9AA, United Kingdom
Workshop for voices and Baroque instruments (A=415) with William Carslake.
Following his early career in Leipzig, Rosenmüller spent over twenty years in Venice where he was Maestro di Coro at the Ospedale della Pieta (like Vivaldi after him). At the end of his career he returned to Germany and settled in Wolfenbuttel. There is a fine blend of Italian and German styles in these appealing and approachable pieces of sacred music which show the influence of both Corelli and Schütz. Before emigrating to Italy in the late 1650s Rosenmüller had already been there briefly in 1645/46 and the trip had a decisive influence on his style. This can be heard in his two famous collections of 1648 and1652/3,the Kern -Spruche (Core Sayings) and Andere Kern Spruchen (Other Core Sayings )The word painting is evocative and the sudden turns of harmony can take you
by surprise! If you don’t yet know him you’re in for a treat.
Repertoire: Rosenmüller, Siehe an die Werke Gottes
Rosenmüller, Lauda Jerusalem
Rosenmüller, Also hat Gott
Rosenmüller, Magnificat
Instruments: One harpsichord and one chamber organ (or electronic organ) at A415 or two harpsichords at A415.
One or two theorbos. All keyboard and theorbo players need to be comfortable reading figured bass.
Strings with baroque set ups, or modern instruments with gut strings and baroque bows:
violins; violas or tenor/bass viols; baroque cellos
Sackbuts, cornets, curtals and recorders are welcome.
Tutor
William is Artistic Director of Farnborough Symphony Orchestra
and Imperial College Sinfonietta and was Music Director for the Royal Ballet’s Elizabeth in
2018 and 2016. He is passionate about Renaissance and Baroque music and directs
programmes for EMF forums, Lacock Choral Courses and Benslow Music. (more on the leaflet available below)

Palestrina: the Master of the Parody Mass
2020-02-22 10:00 - 17:00 | Solihull Methodist Church, Blossomfield Road, Solihull, B91 1LG, United Kingdom
THIS WORKSHOP IS NOW CLOSED TO FURTHER APPLICANTS – EXCEPT TENORS. PLEASE EMAIL N.TRUSSELLE@GMAIL.COM IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO JOIN THE WAITING LIST.
Palestrina ranks alongside Lassus, Victoria and Byrd as one of the greatest composers of the late 16th century. Immensely productive, he composed at least 104 mass settings that in their variety demonstrate complete assimilation and mastery of the techniques of the Franco-Flemish masters. His music for the Mass is scintillating, dynamic and dignified. For this workshop, we will sing ‘movements’ of several of Palestrina’s masses, along with the source material for each — generally a motet or chanson.
This should be a harmonious, varied and enjoyable day of singing that will shed light on some of Palestrina’s lesser-known Mass settings. Final repertoire choices depend on the forces signing up, but it is hoped to include some or all of these Masses: O sacrum convivium, Sicut lilium, Assumpta est Maria and Je suis deshéritée. Divided voice parts are frequently required (especially tenors) so strong singers are encouraged to sign up early so that the desired Masses can be included.
We are very pleased to welcome back one of our most popular vocal tutors – David Allinson. David is a freelance conductor, singer and academic with wide experience as a leader of choral workshops. His special love is Renaissance polyphony, and he has led countless workshops and singing holidays in the UK and Europe.

Majesty and Magnificence: Andrea Gabrieli & Orlando di Lasso
2020-01-18 10:00 - 17:00 | St.Faith & St.Laurence Church Hall, Balden Road, Harborne, Birmingham, B32 2EL, United Kingdom
In 1562 the ambitious young Venetian Andrea Gabrieli travelled North to Germany, spending as much as a year in Munich with the already internationally renowned Orlando di Lasso. Andrea’s time with Lasso was fruitful for both composers, Lasso absorbing the developing polychoral Venetian style of Gabrieli’s possible teacher, Willaert, and Gabrieli learning from Lasso’s eclectic cosmopolitanism. This workshop will explore some of the most brilliant of each composer’s motets and other pieces, and is suitable for all singers.
The Tutor James Weeks is a composer, conductor and founder-director of EXAUDI, one of the world’s leading vocal ensembles for new music, which he has led since 2002. As a conductor he specialises in contemporary and Renaissance repertoire.

Michael Praetorius: Motets from Polyhymnia Caduceatrix et Panegyrica
2019-12-14 10:00 - 17:00 | Selly Oak Methodist Church Hall, Langleys Road, Birmingham, B29 6HT, United Kingdom
Workshop for voices and instruments (A=440) with Tutor David Hatcher in Selly Oak.
In 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”.
David 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.

Inspired by Leonardo
2019-11-23 10:00 - 17:00 | Dorridge Village Hall, Grange Road, Dorridge, B93 8QA
Workshop for voices with Tutor Robert Hollingworth in Dorridge.
Victoria – Alma Redemptoris mater / Unus ex discipulis meis
Monteverdi – Era l’anima mia
Nicolson – Sing, shepherds all
Tallis – Salvator mundi
Janequin – La Guerre
A mixed platter of Renaissance vocal fare, inspired by thoughts about Leonardo da Vinci in his 500th anniversary year. From Monteverdi – an intense late madrigal: from Tallis, sublime polyphony in the fully continental style followed by a madrigal from the Triumphs of Oriana. From Victoria a sumptuous double-choir hymn to the Virgin but also one of his intimate but dark Tenebrae responsories. Then to keep us all awake after lunch, part of the French poet-priest Clement Janequin’s most extravagant pieces (famous through the 16th century) – ‘the battle’.
Robert Hollingworth is passionate about Renaissance and 20th/21st century music and renowned for creating ground-breaking projects which present music to audiences in innovative ways. He is well known to us for his inspiring workshops.

Portugese Polyphony
2019-10-19 10:00 - 17:00 | Emmanuel Church, Loughborough, Forest Road, Loughborough, LE11 3NW
A workshop exploring Renaissance music of Southern Portugal with Tutor Rory Johnston.
We will sing music by Duarte Lobo, Estevao de Brito, Estevao Lopes Morago, Filipe de Magalhaes, Manuel Cardoso and Pedro de Cristo. This music has a lot in common with Spanish Music of the 16th century, by composers such as Victoria and Guerrero, but with a greater indulgence in unprepared dissonances and harmonic movements.

Baroque String Workshop
2019-09-14 10:00 - 17:00 | Knowle Village Hall, St John’s Close, Knowle, Solihull, B93 0NN, United Kingdom
A Workshop of Baroque Music for strings (A=415) with Tutor Julia Bishop.
Music to be studied:
JS Bach: Orchestral Suite no.4 in D major (with wind parts played by strings)
John Stanley: Concerto Grosso op2 no3 – concertos for strings in 7 parts
Vivaldi: L’Estro Armonico – Concerto in B minor for 4 violins

The Delights of Summer
2019-07-13 10:00 - 17:00 | St George’s Church, Rugby, St.John's Avenue, Hillmorton, Rugby, CV22 5HR, United Kingdom
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).
We 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…!)
Find the details in the leaflet below.

Wot No Bars!
2019-06-15 10:00 - 17:00 | Dorridge Village Hall, Grange Road, Dorridge, B93 8QA
A workshop for voices working from partbooks on Richafort’s Missa pro defunctis with Tutor David Hatcher
The Music
Despite having been considered one of the most important polyphonists of his day, Franco-Flemish composer Jean Richafort is known to a relatively small audience today. He was born around 1480 in Flanders, probably in a town called Ricartsvorde. In 1507 he became head of the chapel at the cathedral of St Rombaud in Mechlin, and sometime around 1515 he might have been in the service of the French royal court, having wrote for the funeral of Louis XII in that year. He was in Italy by 1516; associations with Bologna and Rome have been suggested, and his last known post was as head of the chapel at St Gilles in Bruges. Nothing is known of his movements after 1547.
The six-voice Missa Pro Defunctis is undoubtedly a masterpiece of Franco-Flemish polyphonic music, possibly written around 1532 in response to the death of Josquin to whom both of the canonic canti firmi refer.
We will be singing from parts with original note values and no bar lines in an edition prepared by David from the manuscript held by the Bayerische Staatsbibliothek. Hopefully, later in the day we will also use facsimiles of the original itself. Singing from parts without barlines can be daunting at first, but I hope that singers will soon realise the freedom and greater closeness to the composer’s own thought process that this encourages. The manuscript itself is a beautifully written document in very clear notation, so fear not!

Missa Diligam te Domine a12 by Valentini
2019-05-11 10:00 - 2019-05-12 17:00 | Solihull School
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.
Valentini 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.
For 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.
Please download the leaflet for more details and the timetable for the day.

Journey Through Holy Week
2019-04-13 10:00 - 17:00 | Solihull Methodist Church, Blossomfield Road, Solihull, B91 1LG, United Kingdom
For this vocal workshop We welcome back Patrick Craig, who ran an amazing workshop for us (Angels) in September last year.
From this wonderful selection of music for Holy Week, we hope to include:-
Palestrina – Stabat Mater,
Lotti – Crucifixus @ 6.
Weelkes – Hosanna to the Son of David,
Lassus – Amicus meus.
Victoria – Aleph. Ego Vir Videns
Gesualdo – O Vos Omnes.
Guerrero – Maria Magdalene.
Please download the leaflet for more details and timetable for the day.

Purcell: The Fairy Queen
2019-03-16 10:00 - 17:00 | Selly Oak Methodist Church Hall, Langleys Road, Birmingham, B29 6HT, United Kingdom
The Fairy Queen, composed by Henry Purcell in 1692, is written in the form most popular with the audiences of the day – a play with substantial incidental music, with each of its five acts completed with an extended masque: a Restoration spectacular – following the huge success of Dioclesian and King Arthur. The libretto is an anonymous adaption of Shakespeare’s wedding comedy – A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Purcell did not set any of Shakespeare’s text to music; music was to be played as the audience took their seats and also to be played between the acts. The music for short masques in nearly every act, presented by Titania and Oberon, is subtly related to the action in the play and makes reference to King William and Queen Mary.
As in King Arthur the principal characters do not sing, unless they are supernatural, pastoral or drunk! Secondary characters sing to them, usually as entertainment, or as supernatural beings.
We shall need plenty of singers. There may be a chance to include some of the short solos and ensembles, especially where they lead straight in to a chorus. At the moment we cannot be more specific but if you are interested please contact Sheila Koch the organiser,saying whether you sing Soprano 1, Soprano 2, Alto or Counter Tenor, Tenor, Bass.
The orchestration is for 2 recorders, 2 oboes, 2 trumpets, timpani, strings and continuo. Pitch will be A-415.
John Hancorn
John Hancorn is music director of various choral groups in the Sussex area and has directed performances of Bach, Monteverdi and Purcell, among others, for the Brighton Early Music Festival. John leads vocal workshops and masterclasses specialising in baroque repertoire, including regular visits to Early Music Fora and ‘Sing and Discover’ days with Richard Wigmore throughout the UK. He teaches at Trinity Laban College of Music, the University of Chichester, East Sussex Academy of Music and Lancing College. He directed chamber choir courses at Dartington for many years and is a tutor at AIMS International Music School. John was a popular tutor for Purcell’s King Arthur in 2017.

The Lambeth Choirbook
2019-02-23 10:00 - 17:00 | St.Faith & St.Laurence Church Hall, Balden Road, Harborne, Birmingham, B32 2EL, United Kingdom
The Music
The library at Lambeth Palace holds this extraordinary volume of choral music, compiled in around 1500. This workshop will explore some of the gems of this collection, including mass movements by Robert Fayrfax and Nicholas Ludford, and an astonishing Magnificat setting that has remained anonymous. The music is written in a grand style using a range – across the whole choir – of more than three octaves. The individual pieces themselves present a great variety of textures before building to thrilling tutti conclusions.
Patrick Allies
Patrick began his musical education as a chorister at the Temple Church in London, under Stephen Layton. He sang in Gloucester Cathedral Choir before taking up a Choral Scholarship to study Music at King’s College London. Patrick went on to post-graduate study at the University of Cambridge where he sang in Jesus College Choir.
While a student, Patrick founded the early music vocal ensemble Siglo de Oro, of which he is Artistic Director. The group made its professional debut in 2014 at the Spitalfields Festival, and has since given concerts across the UK, and at festivals in Belgium, the Netherlands, Finland and Malta.
Under Patrick’s direction, Siglo de Oro has made two acclaimed recordings with Delphian Records. The latest disc featured the world premiere of a late-Renaissance mass by Hieronymus Praetorius. BBC Music Magazine made it Choral and Song Album of the Month, and said: ‘here is a choir in which all the elements are held in perfect equilibrium. Patrick Allies ponders every note before moulding lines whose suppleness in turn coalesce into a living breathing whole’.
