“Sing (and Play) Choirs of Angels” with Alison Kinder on December 5th 2026

We welcome back Alison Kinder to lead this workshop which is for all voices and instruments at pitch A=440:recorders, strings, brass and reeds.

Music will be provided on the day. Players, please bring a labelled music stand.

Introduction In this Christmas workshop we will explore the Christmas story through the presence of angels as Gabriel appears to Mary, a host announce Christ’s birth to the shepherds, and angels on Earth and archangels in Heaven rejoice on Christmas Day.

+The Angel Gabriel to Mary: Alexander Utendal – In Illo Tempore a6

+Angels and Shepherds: Two settings of Angelus Ad Pastores: one by Hassler in two choirs, and one by Hieronymus Praetorius in 12 parts (three choirs)

+Archangels in Heaven: Andrea Gabrieli – Hodie Christus Natus Est a7

The Music: Alexander Utendal (1543/45 – 1581) was born in Flanders and served the Habsburg family for his whole life. Here we explore his 6-part setting of In Illo Tempore (at that time, the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary…)

Hans Leo Hassler (1564 – 1612) was a German composer, who like many others at his time went to study in Italy. He found himself alongside one Giovanni Gabrieli, studying under Giovanni’s uncle Andrea Gabrieli whom we will encounter later. Perhaps no surprise then that he writes polychoral sacred music in the Venetian style! When back in Germany Hassler met Hieronymus Praetorius (1660 – 1629) and his Venetian training appears to have been influential, resulting in the latter writing many polychoral pieces in that style despite never having left Germany.

Andrea Gabrieli (1532/1533 – 1585) was the uncle of Giovanni Gabrieli, and was one of the most influential composers in the Venetian School of writing that developed spectacular polychoral vocal music. Hodie Christus Natus Est is rather small-scale, being in only 7 parts!

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 also explores the close 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!

Timetable for the day

10.00              Registration and drinks. Please bring your own mug and oatmilk if you need it.

10.30              Morning session (with a short comfort break)

1.00                Free buffet lunch provided courtesy of the Heather Holt Memorial Bequest. You will asked to provide dietary requirements when you book.

2.00                Afternoon session

3.30 approx   Tea break

4.00                Final session

5.00                Finish

Venue   Dorridge Village Hall, Grange Rd, Dorridge, Solihull B93 8QA https://dorridgevillagehall.org.uk/

The drive to the Hall can be found on the B4101 (Grange Road), on the left hand side heading away from Dorridge village centre, just after the park or shortly after the Railway Inn on your right if coming from the M42. . The What3Words location is ///sponge.flopping.wedding . Satnavs tend to misdirect you. Dorridge station is 0.6 miles away.

Neither MEMF or the venue can accept any responsibility for property lost or damaged.

Booking is now open,  book here before Sunday 22nd November.