Here for your convenience you can find a list of events in our region not organised by MEMF which may be of interest to you. Whilst we have made every effort to be accurate, we suggest that you check details on the websites or phone numbers provided.
If you are aware of an event which is not listed here, please contact the Newsletter Editor
You might like to also visit the brilliant Early Music Website at https://earlymusicdiary.org.uk where you will find nationwide events organized into categories to assist your search.
And the Continuo Foundation’s new digital hub – a comprehensive concert finder of early music events (by region) across the UK – is at https://www.continuoconnect
Diary of Events in the Midlands
# Denotes an online event
Recent additions in Red
NOVEMBER
Sun 09: Lutenisis and the Stage in the Elizabethan and Jacobean periods – an illustrated talk by Nick Gravestock. 5-6pm in the 1620’s House. Donington le Heath, Leics. Pre-booking essential. https://1620shouse.org.uk/whats-on
Mon10: The Medieval Imaginarium – Concert of 1(Live Looping by Lizzie Gutteridge). 12.30 in Leicester Cathedral. Free, donations welcome.
Weds 12-Sat 15: London International Festival of Early Music www.lifem.org includes:
- Weds 12: 7pm Ensemble Danguy -Virtuoso Hurdy-Gurdy in C18th France
- Thurs 13: 2pm Polychroma – chamber music by Locatelli and Leclair
7.30 Dorothee Oberlinger & Peter Kofler – baroque sound cultures
- Fri 14: 2pm Zefira Valova plays Telemann Fantasias for solo violin
7.30 Guildhall Cantata Project & Academy of Ancient Music
- Sat 15: 11am Sarah Jeffery presents a family concert (aged 5+)
6pm: Wroclaw Baroque Orchestra & Erik Bosgraaf – Childhood Virtuosos of the 18th century.
- + daily Marketplace with instrument makers, retailers, publishers, record companies, societies and forums from all over the world.
Fri 14: Musicians Strike Up! Medieval music, songs and stories – de Mowbray’s Musicke. Hear all the instruments illustrated in the highly decorated margins of the 14th century Luttrell Psalter. 7.30 in Croxton Kerrial Village Hall, NG32 1QF with pre-concert presentation about the instruments at 6.15. Tickets from Cathy Tate 07809 122327.
Sat 15: Bach Magnificat and Ascension Oratorio – Derby Bach Choir with the Midland Baroque Players. 7.30 in Derby Cathedral. www.derbybachchoir.com
Sat 15: Coffee Concert: Theorbo and baroque guitar recital of music by Kapsberger, de Viséeand Santiago de Murcia by Peter Martin. 11am in St Mary’s Church, Stafford. Admission free.
Thurs 20 Heaven and Earth: coffee concert – Northwick Baroque. 12.30 in St Matthias, Malvern Link. https://www.facebook.com/northwickearlymusic
Sat 22: Perfect Palestrina – his 500th anniversary – the Derwent Singers. 7.30 in St John the Evangelist Church, Derby. www.derwentsingers.org.uk
Sat 22: Music for St Cecilia – Fiori Musicali. 6pm in St Mary the Virgin Church, Brington, Northants. https://fiori-musicali.com/
Mon 24:1725 Music in Naples: recorder concertos and trio sonatas of the age – Annabel Knight (recorder), Georgia Hannant & Kelly McCusker(violins), Jacqueline Tyler (baroque cello) and Warwick Cole (harpsichord). 2pm in the CBSO Centre, Berkley Street, Birmingham. www.cbso.co.uk
Fri 28: Breaking the Rules: the extraordinary life and visceral music of Carlo Gesualdo – The Telling & the Mancunium Consort. 7.30 in the Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton. https://www.thetelling.co.uk/breaking-the-rules
Fri 28: Aural Histories: Coventry 1451-1642 – Binchois Consort. 1-1.50 in the Elgar Concert Hall, Bramall, Birmingham University. https://barber.org.uk
Fri 28: Prelude to Christmas: Lutesongs, seasonal music and poems of the Elizabethan and Jacobean period – Ayres and Graces. 7-9 at the 1620’s House, Donington le Heath, Hugglescote, Leics. For more details text Nick Gravestock on 07766 600594, or https://1620shouse.org.uk/whats-on
Sat 29: Come and Sing (excerpts from) Handel’s Messiah with the Derby Bach Choir. 10.30 in St George’s Church, Ticknall with performance at 3pm after drinks and canapés. www.derbybachchoir.com
Sat 29: Gems of Italy: Monteverdi’s Beatus Vir and Durante’s Magnificat and more – Severn Voices and the Sabrina Players Baroque Band. 7.30 in Old St Martin’s in the Cornmarket, Worcester. www.severnvoices.org.uk
Sat 29: SWEMF workshop with Ali Kinder in Leckhampton, Cheltenham.
Sat 29: BMEMF Workshop for voices: the Life of Thomas Morley with Will Dawes and Katie Bank in Eardisland, nr Leominster. www.bmemf.org.uk
Sat 29: Come and Sing West Gallery Carols with Immanuel’s Ground Quire.2-9.30 pm in Northgate Methodist Church Hall, Barrack Street, Warwick. www.immanuelsground.com
DECEMBER
Mon 01: Lunchtime Early Music Concert – Bach Corelli and Telemann. 1.05 pm in the Recital Hall, Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. www.bcu.ac.uk/conservatoire/events
Thurs 04: The Christmas Hearth: seasonal songs and readings – the Mellstock Band.7.30 in the Unitarian Chapel, 31 High Street, Warwick www.leamingtonmusic.org
Fri 05: Prelude to Christmas: Lutesongs, seasonal music and poems of the Elizabethan and Jacobean period – Ayres and Graces. 7pm in Wirksworth URC Church. For more details text Nick Gravestock on 07766 600594
Fri 05: Handel’s Fireworks – Armonico Consort and Baroque Orchestra. 7.30 in Malvern Theatres. 01684 892277 or www.malvern-theatres.co.uk
Fri 05: Handel’s Messiah Part 1 and Festive Favourites – Eboracum Baroque. 7pm in Great Malvern Priory. www.eboracumbaroque.co.uk
Fri 05: Christmas Music by Candlelight (mixed) – Ex Cathedra. 7pm in Lichfield Cathedral (part of their Festival) www.excathedra.co.uk
Fri 05: Handel’s Messiah – City of Birmingham Choir with the CBSO. 7pm in Symphony Hall. www.citychoir.co.uk
Fri 05 – Sun 14: York Early Music Christmas Festival: includesApollo’s Cabinet, Helen Charlston, Haydn’s Creation, Dowland’s Foundry, The Marian Consort with the English Cornett & Sackbut Ensemble, Apollo5, Lowe Ensemble, Fieri Consort singers with Camerata Øresund and Joglaresa. Also
Fri 05: A Candlelight Concert for Advent – Fiori Musicali. 6pm in St James the Apostle Church, Grafton Underwood. https://fiori-musicali.com/
Sat 06: MEMF workshop for voices and instruments: Benevoli Missa Angelis Domini with Robert Hollingworth in Solihull. www.memf.org.uk
Sat 06: Prelude to Christmas: Lutesongs, seasonal music and poems of the Elizabethan and Jacobean period – Ayres and Graces. 3-4pm in the Unitarian Chapel, Leicester followed by mince pies. For more details text or WhatsApp Nick Gravestock on 07766 600594.
Sat 06: Chestnuts Roasting: Christmas music (old and new) with Ex Urbe Chamber Choir. 6pm in Hampton-in-Arden Parish Church. www.exurbe.org
Sat 06: Choral Workshop with Rory McCleery featuring Bach, Schütz and Palestrina. 10.15 in Bedern Hall, York. www.ncem.co.uk
Sat 06: Handel’s Messiah – Worcester Festival Choral Society and Meridian Sinfonia. 7.30 in Worcester Cathedral. www.wfcs.online or 0333 666 3366
Sat 06: Echoes of the Spanish Baroque – Lowe Ensemble. 1.30 in St Paul’s Church, Birmingham. https://www.continuoconnect.com
Sat 06: Welcome Yule: Ancient Music for the Festive Season – York Waits. 12 noon in St Mary’s Church, Beverley. www.theyorkwaits.com
Sun 07: Music by Bach (Brandenburgs 3 & 4) and Vivaldi and a new commission – Warwickshire Baroque with virtuoso violinist Ada Witczyk. 3pm in Stoneleigh Abbey, Kenilworth. Tickets 01926 858535 or on the door,
Sun 07: J S Bach’s Christmas Oratorio – Ex Cathedra Choir and Baroque orchestra. Evangelist James Robinson. 4pm in Birmingham Town Hall. www.excathedra.co.uk
Sun 07: Shipwreck: music that was known to Henry VII and King Philip of France who were both shipwrecked in 1506– Linarol Consort. 3pm in Huntingdon Hall, Crowngate, Worcester. www.worcserenade.co.uk
Sun 07: On Yoolis Night – music and song from 14th to 17th centuries – Moorlands Baroque. 2pm in St Leonard’s Church, Ipstones, Stoke-on-Trent, ST10 2LF. Admission free, donations requested.
Tues 09: Handel’s Messiah – Southwell Minster Chorale with the Musical & Amicable Society. 7pm in Southwell Minster. https://www.amicables.co.uk
Weds !0: Carols by Candlelight (old and new): a festive fundraiser – Ex Urbe chamber choir with Blue Sky Brass Quintet. 7pm in St James’ Church, Great Packington. www.exurbe.org
Weds 10: Christmas Music by Candlelight (mixed old and new) – Ex Cathedra Consort. 7pm in Hereford Cathedral. www.excathedra.co.uk
Thurs 11: Christmas Music by Candlelight (mixed) – Ex Cathedra. 7pm in Coventry Cathedral. www.excathedra.co.uk
Thurs 11: JS Bach: Magnificat & Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben; Corelli Concerto Grosso and Midlands premiere of Four Neomartyrs of Rethymnon by Nichola Samuel – Castle Baroque Players. &.30 in St Mary de Castro, Leicester. Tickets from www.ticketsource.co.uk/castle-baroque-players
Thurs 11: Prelude to Christmas: Lutesongs, seasonal music and poems of the Elizabethan and Jacobean period – Ayres and Graces, followed by local choir (mixed programme). 7pm in the Anglican Chapel, Coventry Cemetery. For more details text or WhatsApp Nick Gravestock on 07766 600594,or see Chapel website.
Sat 13: Handel’s Messiah – Coventry Cathedral Chorus with Orchestra Pro Anima. 7pm in Coventry Cathedral. www.coventrycathedralchorus.com
Sat 13: Welcome Yule: Ancient Music for the Festive Season – York Waits. 7.30 in St Peter’s Church, Market Bosworth. www.theyorkwaits.com
Sat 13: Christmas Music by Candlelight (mixed eras) – Ex Cathedra Consort. 7pm in St Peter’s Church, Wolverhampton. www.excathedra.co.uk
Mon 15: Carols by Candlelight – Armonico. 7.30 in St Mary’s Church, Warwick. www.armonico.org.uk
Tues 16: Here we Come a-Carolling! Medieval and traditional ‘caroles’ with audience participation – Joglaresa. 7.30 in St Mary’s Church, Warwick. Pre-concert workshop to learn the songs at 6.45, mulled wine and mince pies. www.leamingtonmusic.org
Tues 16: Christmas Music by Candlelight (mixed old and new) – Ex Cathedra Consort. 7pm in St James the Greater, Leicester. www.excathedra.co.uk
Weds 17: Christmas Music by Candlelight (mixed old and new) – Ex Cathedra. 7pm in St Mary’s Church, Moseley. www.excathedra.co.uk
Thurs18: Handel’s Fireworks – Armonico Consort and Baroque Orchestra. 7.30 in Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry. www.warwickartscentre.co.uk
Fri 19 – Sun 21: Choral Workshop Weekend: Christmas with the Gesualdo Six at Hawkwood College, near Stroud. www.hawkwoodcollege.co.uk
Fri 19: Christmas Music by Candlelight (mixed old and new) – Ex Cathedra. 7pm in St Paul’s Church, Birmingham. www.excathedra.co.uk
Sat 20: Christmas Music by Candlelight (mixed old and new) – Ex Cathedra. 4pm in St Paul’s Church, Birmingham. www.excathedra.co.uk
Mon 22: Christmas Music by Candlelight (mixed old and new) – Ex Cathedra. 7pm in St Paul’s Church, Birmingham. www.excathedra.co.uk
Tues 23: Carols by Candlelight – Armonico. 7.30 in St Mary’s Church, Warwick. www.armonico.org.uk
Tues 23: Mr Handel’s Messiah – Fiori Musicali. 6pm in Northampton Cathedral. https://fiori-musicali.com/
JANUARY 2026
Sat 10: Play and Sing Handel’s Messiah with Spires Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus. 9.30 – 5.00 in the Baginton Road URC, Coventry, with informal performance to end the day. www.spiresmusic.org
Sun 11: Voce Uguali…Equal Voices: baroque music for recorders, bassoon and keyboard –– Ensemble La Notte. 3.30 in the Old Bishop’s Palace, Worcester, WR1 2JD. www.earlymusicworcs.org.uk
Sat 17: MEMF Workshop for voices and instruments with David Hatcher. Venue tba. www.memf.org.uk
Sun 18: Biber 1681 Sonatas – Rachel Podger (violin) with Brecon Baroque. 3pm in Malvern Theatres. www.malvern-concert-club.co.uk
Weds 21: Heaven and Earth: coffee concert by Northwick Baroque. 1pm in St George’s Barbourne, Worcester. https://www.facebook.com/northwickearlymusic
Fri 23: Fading: inspired by compline – Renaissance polyphony and contemporary reflections – The Gesualdo Six. 7.30 in Lichfield Cathedral. www.thegesualdosix.co.uk
Sat 24: Come and Sing/Play Handel Dixit Dominus and CPE Bach Magnificat with Sinfonia Chorale. 10 – 4.30 in Bramcote Parish Church, Nottingham, NG9 3HD. £25 (£30 with lunch) www.sinfoniachorale.uk
Sat 24: Lichfield for singing Workshop with the Gesualdo Six. 9.30 – 5pm www.thegesualdosix.co.uk
Sun 25: Pearls of the Baroque: Telemann, Handel, Rameau, Bach, etc. – London Handel Players. 3pm in Huntingdon Hall, Worcester. www.worcserenade.co.uk
Sat 31: A Moment of Calm: Hildegard of Bingen and16th century polyphony – Armonico. 8pm in St Mary’s Church, Warwick. www.armonico.org.uk
FEBRUARY 2026
Sun 01: A Moment of Calm: Hildegard of Bingen and16th century polyphony – Armonico. 8pm in Malvern Theatres. www.armonico.org.uk
Sat 07: 600 years from Hildegard to Haydn – Sounds Historical with a multitude of early instruments. 2.30 in All Saints’ Church, Evesham. www.evesham-music-club.co.uk or 01386 761515.
Sat 07 : MEMF Workshop for voices: Byrd and His Circle with Sally Dunkley in Knowle. www.memf.org.uk
Sat 07: Obrecht Scaramella Mass & Mater patris – Binchois Consort. 7’30 in the Elgar Concert Hall, Bramall, Birmingham University. https://barber.org.uk
Thurs 12: An exploration of Kurtág at 100 + music by Bach – Birmingham Contemporary Music Group + members of the CBSO. 7.30 in the CBSO Centre, Berkley Street, Birmingham. www.cbso.co.uk
Sun 15: The Sun King’s Favourite: music by Lalande and Corelli – Ex Cathedra Choir and Baroque Orchestra. 4pm in Birmingham Town Hall.
Sat 21: TVEMF workshop for voices and Baroque orchestra: Choruses from the Christmas Oratorio with Philip Thorby in Oxford. www.tvemf.org.uk
Sat 26: BMEMF workshop for voices and continuo: Indigenous Latin American Music with El Parnasso in Belmont Abbey, nr Hereford. www.bmemf.org.uk
MARCH 2026
Sun 01: Agrippina’s Betrayal – players of The Hampstead Collective. .30pm in the Old Bishop’s Palace, WR1 2JD. https://www.earlymusicworcs.org
Sat 07: MEMF workshop for voices and instrument: Schütz: Psalmen Davids with Bill Carslake in Tamworth. www.memf.org.uk
Tues 10: The King, the Archbishop, a spy and the English Exiles: music by Byrd, Bull, Dering and Philips and stories of C17th Europe – the Choir of Royal Holloway.7.30pm in St Mary’s Church, Warwick with pre-concert talk at 6.45. www.leamingtonmusic.org
Sat 14: Drop, Drop Slow Tears: a concert of motets (Byrd, Gesualdo, Tallis, Victoria, etc) and readings – Birmingham Bach Choir with Archbishop Bernard Langley. 7pm in St Chad’s Cathedral, Birmingham. www.birminghambachchoir.com or bbchoir.tickets@gmail.com
Sat 21: Immersive Performance of Banchieri’s Festino – Sinfonia Chorale. 6pm in St Jude’s Church, Mapperley, Nottingham. www.sinfoniachorale.uk
Tues 24: JS Bach: St Matthew Passion – Armonico. 7pm in Malvern Theatres. www.armonico.org.uk
Thurs 26: JS Bach St Matthew Passion – Armonico. 7pm in Collegiate Church of St Mary, Warwick www.armonico.org.uk
Sat 28: Thrones in Harmony: Handel, Corelli and Mozart – Royal Leamington Spa Bach Choir. 7.30 in All Saints Church, Royal Leamington Spa. www.rlsbc.org
#Online Music and Talks
Continuo Connect is the Continuo Foundation‘s digital initiative, and along with early music concert listings round the country and artist profiles, it has editorial features on early music and musicians. On their website, click on Features for interviews, playlists and insightful essays and sign up for the twice monthly Newsletter
A reminder about Jamulus, first set up during Covid Lockdown for singing and playing together over the internet. A small group still sing regularly on line using Jamulus software which synchronises the delay times and where one can balance the volumes of all the others singing.
They usually meet on Monday and Friday evenings and sing Renaissance sacred and secular music from their own Drive or from CPDL and sing one to a part selecting music to suit their voices at the time. Reasonable sight reading ability and a good internet connection are essential. At present they are SSATTB so another Alto and Bass would be particularly welcome. If you are interested please contact Keith Hitchcock: keith.hitchcock1@gmail.com or ring 0121 355 8247
There is more about Jamulus, including links to further information, on the early music online page. Click here and scroll down to Technology.
Early Music Sources – a reminder of the wonderful series of illustrated talks by Elam Rotem, the latest being about Early Basso Continuo, to be found on YouTube at https://www.earlymusicsources.com/youtube
Sands Film studio is a Theatre, Cinema and Music Room. They developed live streaming during the Pandemic and have continued with a mixture of live and online concerts, many of them Early Music, films and theatre. All performances are free, but donations are requested. Sign up to their mailing list at https://www.sandsfilms.co.uk/cinema-club.html
The Following have many videos on YouTube:
Stile Antico – https://www.youtube.com/user/stileantico
Armonico Consort https://ondemand.armonico.org.uk
The Gesualdo Six https://www.thegesualdosix.co.uk/videos/
I Fagiolini https://www.youtube.com/c/IFagiolini/videos
Fretwork Viol Consort https://www.fretwork.co.uk/audio-video
The Academy of Ancient Music https://aam.co.uk/watch/
Wigmore Hall has an archive of live streamed concerts at https://wigmore-hall.org.uk/watch-listen/forthcoming-live-streams Occasionally new ones appear on a Monday morning if you’re signed up. Free but donations requested.
City Lit offers an extensive programme of online music history and music appreciation courses with a focus on Western classical music, Folk, Jazz, Rock and Pop, also many singing courses, There are new topics each year, some of them Early Music: https://www.citylit.ac.uk
Choral Chihuahua regular new episodes since the last Newsletter of chats between Robert Hollingworth and Eamonn Dougan and recently Nicholas Mulroy, about an hour long. Find the latest (and previous) episodes at https://play.acast.com/s/choral-chihuahua. Free but donations requested.