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DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20210508T110000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20210508T120000
DTSTAMP:20260404T015344
CREATED:20210408T115608Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20210504T144125Z
UID:3078-1620471600-1620475200@memf.org.uk
SUMMARY:SingTheScore Extra  with Robert Hollingworth
DESCRIPTION:Another in our popular series of Zooms with Robert Hollingworth of I Fagiolini and guest.  Robert is a natural chat show host and these Saturday mornings are always entertaining and informative. He will talk about the music he has chosen and you will have a chance to sing it through twice.  The guest this week is Greg Browning who will enthrall us with tales of his filming exploits with I Fagiolini over the last 20 years! He will play clips to us of his favourite moments and perhaps even the odd out take!  His direction\, production and filming of The Polyphonic Concert Club was quite something.  He will also be open to questions so have any you might want to ask ready. \nPlease book below.
URL:https://memf.org.uk/event/singthescore-extra-with-robert-hollingworth-12/
LOCATION:Online(Zoom)
CATEGORIES:Online,Voices
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20210515T110000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20210515T120000
DTSTAMP:20260404T015344
CREATED:20210408T121302Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20210428T124514Z
UID:3082-1621076400-1621080000@memf.org.uk
SUMMARY:Definitely not the Pope - an online workshop with Rory McCleery
DESCRIPTION:In this workshop\, Rory McCleery\, Artistic Director of The Marian Consort\, examines the music of Clemens non Papa and his elusive biography\, including the origins of his intriguing soubriquet.  We will be exploring some of Clemens’ lesser-known Marian motets\, including Videte miraculum and O Maria vernans rosa\, as well as the famous Ego flos campi and the chanson that seems to have given him his nickname\, found in the colourful manuscript songbook of Zeghere van Male. We will be singing these as part of the workshop\, with pdf scores circulated in advance. \nRory McCleery began his musical career as a chorister at St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral\, Edinburgh. He gained a double first in music at Oxford University as both Organ and Domus Academic scholar of St Peter’s College\, subsequently completing an MSt in Musicology with Distinction.   Rory is the founder and director of The Marian Consort\, with whom he performs across the UK\, Europe and North America. Under his direction\, The Marian Consort has become renowned internationally for its compelling interpretations of a wide range of repertoire\, particularly the music of the Renaissance and early Baroque\, but also of works by contemporary British composers\, and in 2017 was nominated for a Gramophone Award.  As a countertenor\, Rory greatly enjoys performing as a soloist and consort singer with other ensembles including The Dunedin Consort\, Contrapunctus\, The Monteverdi Choir\, The Sixteen\, The Gabrieli Consort\, Le Concert d’Astre?e\, The Academy of Ancient Music\, The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and The Cardinall’s Musick. He also enjoys a solo career in venues across the UK and Europe\, has appeared as a soloist for broadcasts on UK and European radio\, and collaborates regularly with the Rose Consort of Viols.  Rory is much in demand as a guest conductor\, workshop leader and programming consultant\, and has led workshop sessions\, study days and singing courses across the UK\, Germany\, Spain and the USA\, working with choirs of all ages and sizes in repertoire from 16th to 21st century. He is a passionate believer in the importance of music education and singing for young people and is director of choral music at City\, University of London. \nBooking will open in May.
URL:https://memf.org.uk/event/definitely-not-the-pope-music-of-clemens-non-papa-with-rory-mccleery/
LOCATION:Online(Zoom)
CATEGORIES:Online,Voices
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20210522T110000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20210522T120000
DTSTAMP:20260404T015344
CREATED:20210504T144421Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20210517T162507Z
UID:3287-1621681200-1621684800@memf.org.uk
SUMMARY:SingTheScore Extra with Robert Hollingworth
DESCRIPTION:Another in our popular series of Zooms with Robert Hollingworth of I Fagiolini and guest.  Robert is a natural chat show host and these Saturday mornings are always entertaining and informative. \nThis week Robert and Nicolas Mulroy will talk about Monteverdi.  They will each choose a track\,  play it and talk about why they like it and other Monteverdi-ish things.  The two tracks are Laudate Dominum and T’amo mia vita and you will receive links to the scores when you book (see below) and have a chance to sing them on the day. \nQuestions welcome\, as always.
URL:https://memf.org.uk/event/singthescore-extra-with-robert-hollingworth-and-guest/
LOCATION:Online(Zoom)
CATEGORIES:Online,Voices
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20210605T110000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20210605T120000
DTSTAMP:20260404T015344
CREATED:20210504T145049Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20210527T185750Z
UID:3291-1622890800-1622894400@memf.org.uk
SUMMARY:SingtheScore Extra with Robert Hollingworth
DESCRIPTION:The last this summer in our popular fortnightly series of Zooms with Robert Hollingworth of I Fagiolini and guest.  Robert is a natural chat show host and these Saturday mornings are always entertaining and informative. He will talk about the music he has chosen and you will have a chance to sing it through twice. This week’s guest will be the musicologist Professor Laurie Stras who will talk about the (until recently) mostly unknown world of music in convents in 16th century Italy. \nProfessor Stras is co-director of two early music ensembles\, Musica Secreta and an amateur female-voice choir\, Celestial Sirens.  For over twenty years\, her principal research focus has been the female musicians at the court and convents of 16th-century Ferrara\, and she has complemented this research with performance activities with her two ensembles. Her monograph on the female musicians at the court and convents of 16th-century Ferrara\, Women and Music in Sixteenth-Century Ferrara will be published in 2018.  She is also Professor of Music at the University of Huddersfield. \nRobert is hoping to continue SingTheScore Extra in the autumn\, but probably only once a month. \nPlease book below. \n 
URL:https://memf.org.uk/event/singthescore-extra-with-robert-hollingworth-13/
LOCATION:Online(Zoom)
CATEGORIES:Online,Voices
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20210605T200000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20210605T210000
DTSTAMP:20260404T015344
CREATED:20210504T145735Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20210522T112146Z
UID:3293-1622923200-1622926800@memf.org.uk
SUMMARY:Henry Purcell and the Music of Westminster Abbey with Patrick Craig
DESCRIPTION:Another presentation in Patrick’s inimitable style\, with wonderful pictures\, musical excerpts and personal anecdotes. \nHenry Purcell has been described as England’s Orpheus and ranks alongside the greatest of this country’s composers.  His rise to the position of Organist of Westminster Abbey at the age of 20 saw him lauded above the talents of his predecessor\, John Blow and his teacher\, Pelham Humfrey\, both of whose music we will hear in order to place Purcell in context. His family home was just round the corner from the Abbey and for a while he turned his back on the theatre music he had been pursuing to focus on this job. \nAs a countertenor Patrick has had the joy of singing much of Purcell’s solo music and will be delighted to share this colourful period in our country’s history. Including music by Gibbons and Croft\, Patrick will trace some of the most influential names in the musical heritage of Westminster Abbey and guide us through this extraordinary building. \nPlease book below.
URL:https://memf.org.uk/event/purcell-and-the-music-of-westminster-abbey-with-patrick-craig/
LOCATION:Online(Zoom)
CATEGORIES:Online
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20210703T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20210703T120000
DTSTAMP:20260404T015344
CREATED:20210612T155531Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20210612T155646Z
UID:3410-1625306400-1625313600@memf.org.uk
SUMMARY:Zoom Celebration with Robert Hollingworth
DESCRIPTION:What a strange 16 months it has been.  How we have all adapted to keeping early music and musicians going as best we can\, has been quite amazing at times.  To celebrate this\, we are finishing our season before our traditional summer break as we started\, with Robert Hollingworth and a MEMF zoom workshop.  Who knows what we will come back to in the Autumn – still zooming\, live workshops?  At present we just don’t know but we are going to sign off in style. \nThe session will start with a short chat between Robert and MEMF chair Nancy about how\, in April 2020\,  they started things off\, how difficult it was coping with the new technology we suddenly had to use and the pitfalls that beset the first sessions as we dipped our toes into the world of zoom\, mute. etc –  and who can forget the arguments over chat…. \nThen we are asking you to vote for some of your favourite MEMF zoom workshops and the Saturday morning EXTRA sessions.  To help you choose there will be a list of all the Zoom sessions we have hosted  and there will be voting buttons on the Jotform for you to fill in.   You will hear a clip from the most popular ones during the session. \n  \nPlease book below.
URL:https://memf.org.uk/event/zoom-celebration-with-robert-hollingworth/
LOCATION:Online(Zoom)
CATEGORIES:Online
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20211009T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20211009T170000
DTSTAMP:20260404T015344
CREATED:20210522T113953Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20210902T134816Z
UID:3368-1633773600-1633798800@memf.org.uk
SUMMARY:Monteverdi: Flaming Heart -  workshop with Robert Hollingworth + I Fagiolini  concert + buffet lunch
DESCRIPTION:Our return to live workshops starts with this wonderful day in Ingestre\, Staffordshire (SATNAV: ST18 0RF).  We hope as many of you as possible will join us to make it a joyous occasion.  We will be celebrating:\n \nThe start of live workshops again.\nThe life of former MEMF member Camilla Kurti.\nA concert of vocal music by her favourite group I Fagiolini.\nwith the whole day led by Robert Hollingworth. \nThere will be two workshop sessions\, one first thing\, followed by the concert and then a catered buffet lunch\, and one after lunch \nWe will be using the fabulous Orangery for the workshop and  lunch\, plus the only Wren Church outside London for the concert. \nThe event is being subsidised by the Estate of Camilla Kurti  and an anonymous donation. \nFriends of Camilla and MEMF members will have priority booking until 1st September and if numbers exceed 95\, we will operate a waiting list.  It will be very helpful to us (and to you) if you could book as soon as possible so that we can quickly get an idea of numbers and how many to cater for. \nYou will receive pdf’s of scores when you book\, but a printed book of music will be provided on the day\, as usual.
URL:https://memf.org.uk/event/live-workshop-with-robert-hollingworth-i-fagiolini-concert/
LOCATION:The Orangery Ingestre\, Stafford
CATEGORIES:Voices
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20211023T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20211024T170000
DTSTAMP:20260404T015344
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:https://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:20211106T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20211106T170000
DTSTAMP:20260404T015344
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:https://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:20211204T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20211204T170000
DTSTAMP:20260404T015344
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:https://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:20220108T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20220108T170000
DTSTAMP:20260404T015344
CREATED:20211010T193144Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211221T182000Z
UID:3846-1641636000-1641661200@memf.org.uk
SUMMARY:Let Us Seek with the Shepherds: The Musical Legacy of Quaeramus cum Pastoribus by Jean Mouton CANCELLED
DESCRIPTION:This workshop for singers with Rory McCleery is about the fascinating history and rich music lineage of Jean Mouton. \nComposed at the very beginning of the sixteenth century\, Mouton’s work would remain in the repertoire of the Cappella Sistina for over a hundred years\, as well as travelling in print and manuscript as far afield as Aberdeen and Guatemala and inspiring parody compositions (both masses and motets) by several later generations of composers\, including Cristobal de Morales\, Pedro de Cristo\, Adrian Willaert\, Thomas Crequillon and Annibale Stabile. We will be singing some of these works\, as well as Mouton’s original – which Rory says is ‘one of his all-time favourite pieces!’ \nVenue: We will be using either Emmanuel Church or the Church Hall\, Loughborough (SATNAV LE11 3NW). \nFor all singers\, fees for MEMF and other EMF members is £21\, non-members £26. \n \nRory McCleery began his musical career as a chorister. He gained a double first in music at Oxford University as both Organ and Domus Academic scholar of St Peter’s College\, subsequently completing an MSt in Musicology with Distinction.   Rory is the founder and director of The Marian Consort\, with whom he performs across the UK\, Europe and North America. Under his direction\, the Marian Consort has become renowned internationally for its compelling interpretations of a wide range of repertoire\, particularly the music of the Renaissance and early Baroque\, and in 2017 was nominated for a Gramophone Award.  As a countertenor\, Rory greatly enjoys performing as a soloist and consort singer with other ensembles including The Dunedin Consort\, Contrapunctus\, The Monteverdi Choir\, The Sixteen\, The Gabrieli Consort\, Le Concert d’Astre?e\, The Academy of Ancient Music\, The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and The Cardinall’s Musick. He also enjoys a solo career in venues across the UK and Europe.  Rory is much in demand as a guest conductor\, workshop leader. \nBooking is now open – please scroll down to the booking form.
URL:https://memf.org.uk/event/let-us-seek-with-the-shepherds-the-musical-legacy-of-quaeramus-cum-pastoribus-by-jean-mouton/
LOCATION:Emmanuel Church\, Loughborough\, Forest Road\, Loughborough\, LE11 3NW
CATEGORIES:Voices
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20220123T190000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20220123T210000
DTSTAMP:20260404T015344
CREATED:20211221T182925Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211221T185722Z
UID:4250-1642964400-1642971600@memf.org.uk
SUMMARY:Jean Maillard - International Man of Mystery with Tutor Rory McCleery
DESCRIPTION:  \nIn view of the recent alarming rise in Covid cases we felt it sensible to cancel our  live workshop with Rory McCleery at the beginning of January and have this Zoom session instead\, which Rory is happy to do. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDespite his being identified as ‘one of the most important French composers of the sixteenth century’ by the renowned Musicologist François Lesure nearly half a century ago\, Jean Maillard is a figure who remains shrouded in mystery and whose works have rarely been performed in modern times. This contrasts sharply with his reception during his own lifetime: his works were widely disseminated and survive in manuscripts and prints originating in Germany\, France\, Poland\, the Czech Republic\, Italy\, Switzerland\, Belgium and the UK. Telling also is the number of composers who modelled their own compositions on works by Maillard: this list includes fellow Frenchman Goudimel and also such luminaries as Orlando Lassus\, Jacob Handl and Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina. It is possible that Maillard harboured Protestant sympathies which may have resulted in his exclusion from the circles of the Catholic royal court in Paris\, and even\, like his fellow composer Claude Goudimel\, his death in the 1572 St Bartholomew’s Day massacres. \nThe session will last around 2 hours in all –  45 minutes then a 15 minute tea break with another 45 minutes and time for questions. \nWe shall be singing:\nPierre Cadeac    Je suis desheritee\nJean Maillard    Agnus Dei\nJean Maillard     Fratres mei elongaverunt\nJean Maillard     Omnes gentes attendite\nJean Maillard     Ascendo ad Patrem meum\nJean Maillard     In me transierunt\nJean Maillard     Gaudent in caelis \nPlease book below. As usual all donations will go directly to Rory so please donate what you can.
URL:https://memf.org.uk/event/jean-maillard-international-man-of-mystery-with-rory-mccleery/
LOCATION:Online(Zoom)
CATEGORIES:Online
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20220205T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20220205T170000
DTSTAMP:20260404T015344
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:https://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:20220305T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20220305T170000
DTSTAMP:20260404T015344
CREATED:20220115T210510Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220212T193340Z
UID:4352-1646474400-1646499600@memf.org.uk
SUMMARY:Communion Motets with David Allinson
DESCRIPTION:This workshop in Warwick is for all voices. David will introduce us to Motets by Victoria\, Morales and – if numbers and voice parts allow – Palestrina\, Guerrero\, et al. \nMusic will be provided on the day. \nDavid is one of our most popular and inspiring Tutors. He is a freelance musician based in Canterbury and has spent his musical career teaching\, lecturing and conducting. He has taught and lectured at Universities in Oxford\, Bristol and eventually Canterbury Christ Church University where he was Director of Music. Three years ago he returned to freelancing and now Tutors at workshops and Summer Schools all over the country and abroad. He has conducted choirs since he was a teenager and now regularly conducts two choirs – The Renaissance Singers and Cantores – and regularly guest conducts other Early Music groups. During Lockdown he mastered the art of lecturing on Zoom and as well as doing many excellent online workshops he instituted Friday lunchtime talks on Facebook in his own inimitable style. \nPlease book below
URL:https://memf.org.uk/event/communion-motets-with-david-allinson/
LOCATION:Solihull Methodist Church\, Blossomfield Road\, Solihull\, B91 1LG\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Voices
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20220402T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20220402T170000
DTSTAMP:20260404T015344
CREATED:20220224T154510Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220323T172020Z
UID:4559-1648893600-1648918800@memf.org.uk
SUMMARY:Purcell: Choruses from Dido and Aeneas with Tutor George Parris - CANCELLED
DESCRIPTION:Sadly we have had to cancel this workshop – the small number of people who had booked were not suficient for the workshop to be practical. \nWe are sorry for this\, and hope to book George Parris for another workshop in the future. \n 
URL:https://memf.org.uk/event/purcell-choruses-from-dido-and-aeneas-with-tutor-george-parris/
CATEGORIES:Continuo,Strings,Voices
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20220521T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20220521T170000
DTSTAMP:20260404T015344
CREATED:20220212T193746Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220414T202311Z
UID:4530-1653127200-1653152400@memf.org.uk
SUMMARY:Music by Rosenmüller with Tutor William Carslake
DESCRIPTION:Johann Christian Rosenmüller\n \nFollowing 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 1650’s 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 and 1652/3\, the Kern Spruchen (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. \nWe will be studying   “Siehe an die Werke Gottes”\, “Lauda Jerusalem”\, “Also hat Gott” and a Magnificat \nThis is a workshop for Voices and the following Instruments: \nOne harpsichord and one chamber organ (or electronic organ) at A415  or two harpsichords at A415 and one or two theorbos.  All keyboard and theorbo players need to be comfortable reading figured bass. \nStrings with baroque set ups\, or modern instruments with gut strings and baroque bows: violins\, violas or tenor/bass viols\, baroque cellos. \nSackbuts\, cornets\, curtals and recorders are welcome. \nBill Carslake \n \nBill studied singing with David Lowe at Cambridge and Peter Alexander Wilson at Royal Scottish Academy of Music\, and orchestral conducting with Martyn Brabbins\, Jorma Panula and Ilya Musin. He was a busy bass-baritone before he decided to focus exclusively on conducting and composing. He composes music inspired by outdoor places such as Greenland and is a 2018/19 Finzi Scholar for his current composition project about Mountain Hares. He 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.  He is a Trustee of the Elgar Foundation. \nMusic will be provided on the day. \nInstrumentalists please bring a labelled music stand. \nPlease book below and then scroll down to make sure you have succeeded.
URL:https://memf.org.uk/event/rosenmuller-with-tutor-will-carslake/
LOCATION:St Philip’s Church Centre\, Dorridge\, B93 8DX
CATEGORIES:A415,brass,Continuo,Loud wind,Recorders,Strings,Voices
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20220618T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20220618T170000
DTSTAMP:20260404T015344
CREATED:20220301T124705Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220523T085322Z
UID:4571-1655546400-1655571600@memf.org.uk
SUMMARY:Wot No Bars 2  with Tutor David Hatcher
DESCRIPTION:A second workshop for singers reading from facsimile\, following on from the highly successful one 2 years ago. Beginners welcome! \n  \nWe’ll be looking at Isaac’s Missa Virgo Prudentissima a6\, from the beautiful BSB Mus. Ms. C. Isaac had already composed the piece by the beginning of the century as it was almost certainly one performed by the joint choirs of the Emperor Maximilian I and of his son\, Philip the Fair\, when they met in Innsbruck to hold funeral rites for Maximilian’s brother-in-law\, Hermes Sforza of Milan\, on 26th September 1503. Each choir sang in turn during two consecutive services. At the first\, the Burgundian choir performed Pierre de la Rue’s requiem mass and at the second\, Maximilian’s choir (probably) sang the Missa Virgo Prudentissima. The lavish copy in Mus. Ms. C was a gift from Duke Wilhelm IV of Bavaria to the Palsgrave of Neuberg and contains both Isaac’s mass and de la Rue’s Requiem. \nThe void mensural notation is extremely clear and will present all the usual (surmountable) challenges\, including perfect and imperfect tempus\, colouration\, a selection of ligatures and\, of course\, text placement – all of which will be very ably explained by David! It should be a challenging but very rewarding day; the sense of achievement from managing to sing from music as it was notated over 500 years ago makes it well worth the effort. \n  \nTutor \nDavid Hatcher is well known to MEMF and other EMFs. He studied viola da gamba with Charles Medlam and recorder with Philip Thorby at Trinity College of Music\, London and began his career based in England\, touring to 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 nine years\, taking an active part in that country’s flourishing early music scene. \nHe now lives in Leominster and has appeared with many other period orchestras and ensembles. He has taught regularly on summer schools and is in demand as a tutor for many weekend and day courses. He has taken part in a number of large-scale projects\, including Damon Albarn’s opera “Dr Dee”\, “The World Encompassed” (Fretwork) and performing and recording with I Fagiolini in their hugely succesful interpretation of Striggio’s 40-voice mass. David is a member of the Linarol Consort of Viols\, specialising in early 16th century consort music. \nBooking is now open. \n 
URL:https://memf.org.uk/event/wot-no-bars-2-with-tutor-david-hatcher/
LOCATION:Solihull Methodist Church Hall\, Blosssomfield Road\, Solihull\, B91 1LG\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Voices
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20220716T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20220716T170000
DTSTAMP:20260404T015344
CREATED:20220301T125412Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220614T142739Z
UID:4573-1657965600-1657990800@memf.org.uk
SUMMARY:Not Mortals but Angels - Convent polyphony from the 13th-16th centuries - with Tutor Prof Laurie Stras
DESCRIPTION:MUSIC \nThis one-day workshop will look at music from the convents of Europe\, drawn from medieval and renaissance manuscripts and prints. We will cover a range of styles and practices\, from simple harmonisations to complex imitative polyphony\, in songs\, antiphons\, mass movements\, and motets. Depending on voices available\, sources will include manuscripts from the Bologna library\, the Brenzoni-Maffei manuscript from Verona\, the Biffoli-Sostegni manuscript from San Matteo in Arcetri (convent home of Galileo’s daughter)\, and motets attributed to Suor Leonora d’Este – including repertoire that has fed into Musica Secreta’s newest project\, Mother Sister Daughter.  All female voices\, from high soprano to low tenor\, are very welcome\, along with soft instruments  (including viol\, theorbo and recorder players of any gender). A keyboard player would be a welcome addition\, too! \n \nTUTOR \nLaurie Stras is Emeritus Professor of Music at the University of Southampton and the director of Musica Secreta (co-directed with Deborah Roberts from 2002-2021). Stras and Musica Secreta have been at the forefront of research and performance of music written for and by women in the Renaissance. They have made numerous acclaimed recordings\, the latest of which\, Mother\, Sister\, Daughter\, is released in June 2022. Her book\, Women and Music in Sixteenth-Century Ferrara (CUP\, 2018)\, won the prestigious Otto Kinkeldey Award from the American Musicological Society in 2019. \nBooking will open in a few days.
URL:https://memf.org.uk/event/nuns-with-tutor-prof-laurie-stras/
LOCATION:St.Faith & St.Laurence Church Hall\, Balden Road\, Harborne\, Birmingham\, B32 2EL\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Continuo,Recorders,Viols,Voices
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20220917T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20220917T170000
DTSTAMP:20260404T015344
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:https://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:20221022T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20221022T170000
DTSTAMP:20260404T015344
CREATED:20220815T193121Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220913T202255Z
UID:6613-1666432800-1666458000@memf.org.uk
SUMMARY:Songs of Love and Death - the music of Leonhard Lechner Athesinus with Philip Thorby
DESCRIPTION:Philip Thorby is one of our most popular tutors and has again found some wonderful music by a composer most of us will have never heard of. This year it is a one day workshop so that members who could previously never commit to a whole weekend can take part. \nAll singers and the following instruments are welcome – recorders\, cornetts\, sackbuts\, curtals\, viols\, violins and continuo (with figured bass). Pitch will be A=440. \nThe fees are £20 for MEMF and other EMF members\, £25 for others. \nMusic will be provided on the day. Instrumentalists please bring a labelled music stand. \nThe Music \nThe German composer Leonhard Lechner Athesinus was born in the Italian Tyrol and was a gifted boy soprano who went on to sing tenor and study composition with Orlando di Lasso. The influence of the master is evident in the pupil\, but Lechner is very much his own man\, as demonstrated in the wonderful pieces Philip has chosen for our workshop. These include a six-part setting of a section of the funeral sentences\, a fifteen-part three-choir setting of Laudate Dominum\, and the masterly and splendid 24-part setting of a Latin verse commissioned for a wedding. In keeping with the German practice of the time the singers will be supported by many varied instrumental sounds. \nDirections to Solihull School \nBy road – leave the M42 at junction 5 and onto the A41 towards Solihull. Take the first left turning towards Solihull town centre. \nTurn right at the roundabout and continue towards Solihull town centre along the Warwick Road B 4025.The school entrance is on the right at the second set of traffic lights. There is plenty of parking in front of the chapel. The David Turnbull Music Centre is a short walk beyond the car park. The barrier will be unlocked so that instrumentalists can drive to the centre to drop off instruments. \nSolihull railway centre is approximately a 1km walk through the town. \nBooking is now open.
URL:https://memf.org.uk/event/workshop-for-voices-and-instruments-with-philip-thorby/
LOCATION:Solihull School
CATEGORIES:Continuo,Loud wind,Recorders,Strings,Viols,Voices
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20221112T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20221112T170000
DTSTAMP:20260404T015344
CREATED:20220815T192155Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20221002T200322Z
UID:6610-1668247200-1668272400@memf.org.uk
SUMMARY:Song of the Birds - a Workshop for voices with Anita Datta
DESCRIPTION:  \nThe natural world has been a source of musical inspiration to singers and composers across the centuries. Taking its Janequin’s playful Chant des Oyseaux as a point of departure\, this workshop explores the wide-ranging influence of bird calls on the early choral repertoire. This will include Vautor’s Sweet Suffolk Owl\, Casulana’s Vaghi Amorosi Augelli alongside more familiar reference points including La Claire Fontaine\,  and Sumer is Icumen In (… seasonal!). The workshop also incorporates an invitation to try out bird-call inspired motifs within medieval and renaissance improvisational structures\, in direct response to Janequin’s quirky paradigm. \nAnita Datta is a Tutor new to MEMF. She is a conductor\, soprano and organist from the East Riding of Yorkshire. Founder and Director of The Swan Consort\, she is a specialist in music of the European Renaissance and Baroque. With The Swan Consort she has recently toured to Spain\, and directed performances across the UK including for Ryedale Festival\, Brighton Early Music Festival\, and London Festival of Contemporary Church Music. She is currently pursuing further studies in Orchestral Conducting at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama\, in which capacity she made her debut conducting the orchestra of Welsh National Opera in June 2022. Drawing her musical knowledge together her academic expertise in Social Anthropology\, she sits on the boards of English Touring Opera and the National Centre for Early Music\, with special responsibilities for advising on Education\, and Inclusivity and Relevance \n  \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. \nBooking is now open.
URL:https://memf.org.uk/event/madrigals-based-on-bird-song/
LOCATION:Solihull Methodist Church Hall\, Blosssomfield Road\, Solihull\, B91 1LG\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Voices
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20221217T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20221217T170000
DTSTAMP:20260404T015344
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:https://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:20230121T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20230121T170000
DTSTAMP:20260404T015344
CREATED:20221203T185307Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20221212T180551Z
UID:7506-1674295200-1674320400@memf.org.uk
SUMMARY:English Catholic Composers in Exile with David Allinson on 21st January 2023
DESCRIPTION:“How shall we sing the Lord’s song in a strange Land?” \nThis should be a marvellous day of music which ranges from bombast to pathos\, from protest to serenity. Seasoned tutor David Allinson will set the music in context and shepherd us through. \nWilliam Byrd was not alone among church musicians in holding to the Catholic faith in Elizabethan and Jacobean England\, at a time when it was increasingly perilous to do so. But several of his most talented contemporaries chose to leave England and work in exile. Peter Philips settled in Flanders\, becoming a priest; Richard Dering worked in Brussels at a convent of English nuns. Perhaps liberated from native tradition\, their music doesn’t feel particularly English; they absorbed the latest Italian style. \nByrd stayed in England and his talent shone openly\, even as he endured an internal exile of faith. The Latin-texted music of his mid-career seems to articulate the anxiety and anger of recusant Catholics\, whereas his last works serve the community’s need for liturgical music that may be used in secret domestic contexts. And always with Byrd\, there is a scintillating level of inspiration\, mixing native tradition with the latest continental innovations. \nOur programme focuses principally on Byrd’s music – 2023 is\, after all\, the year in which we celebrate the 400th anniversary of his death – but we set him in wider context as a Catholic composer by sampling a Marian motet by Peter Philips (Ave Regina caelorum) and an Italianate motet by Richard Dering (Factum est silentium). As we will be singing in the beautiful Collegiate Church of Saint Mary\, Stafford\, much of the programme is Marian\, with Byrd’s Salve Regina\, Ave Maria and other pieces. \nThe planned repertoire needs lots of Tenors in particular (and some can-do singer flexibility about awkward ranges!)\, so please sign up in good time. \nVenue   St Mary’s Collegiate Church\, St Mary’s Place\, Stafford\, ST16 2AP \nSt Mary’s is 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. From 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 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 here . The website includes a link to a map. Note that some car parks are pay-by-phone only. \nNeither MEMF nor the venue can accept any responsibility for property lost or damaged. \nTutor   David is a specialist in early music choral works who has led workshops for every regional EMF in England\, as well as EMF Scotland. He is a regular and popular tutor for MEMF workshops. \n  \nScroll down to book your place
URL:https://memf.org.uk/event/english-catholic-composers-in-exile-with-david-allinson-on-21st-january-2023/
LOCATION:Collegiate Church of St  Mary’s \, Stafford
CATEGORIES:Voices
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20230225T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20230225T170000
DTSTAMP:20260404T015344
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:https://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:20230325T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20230325T170000
DTSTAMP:20260404T015344
CREATED:20221203T200520Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230318T141506Z
UID:7517-1679738400-1679763600@memf.org.uk
SUMMARY:The Music of Robert Parsons with Bill Carslake on March 25th 2023
DESCRIPTION:BOOKING IS NOW CLOSED AS THE MUSIC HAS BEEN PRINTED. \nThe composer Robert Parsons \nParsons\, you who were so great in the springtime of life\, how great you would have been in the autumn\, had death not come. This Latin epitaph by the copyist\, Robert Dow\, is from a collection of partbooks produced in the 1580s\, a decade or so after Parsons’ death. Robert Parsons (c. 1535-1572) is remembered today as a masterful life cut short when he drowned in the Trent. His music provides a remarkable link between the opulence of late 15th century composers such as those in the Eton Choirbook (e.g.\, Cornysh\, Browne) and the emotional precision of artists like Shakespeare and Tomkins (who was born in the year Parsons died). It’s as if Parsons channelled his grandparents and grandchildren all at once. We will be singing the following pieces: O bone Jesu sings the soaring lines of Roman Catholic England before Henry VIII’s birth; Retribue is a detailed discussion of faith from the fraught period after Henry’s death; and Ave Maria is so pure and timeless that it is almost an icon for the ear. \nThe Tutor\, William Carslake\, studied orchestral conducting with Martyn Brabbins\, Jorma Panula and Ilya Musin\, and singing with David Lowe and Peter Alexander Wilson. He was a busy bass-baritone soloist before he decided to focus exclusively on conducting and composing. He has since held two composing residencies at Banff Centre\, Canada. He composes music inspired by outdoor places such as Greenland\, the Cairngorms and\, currently\, peatlands in Ireland. He has composed for the Finzi Trust and Imperial College Sinfonietta\, and is currently writing for Orchestra of the Swan. He is Artistic Director of Farnborough Symphony Orchestra and co-directs the Farnborough Young Composers’ Competition. He was Music Director for the Royal Ballet’s Elizabeth in 2016 and 2018. He enjoys directing programmes for EMF forums and Lacock Courses. \nThe Venue   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. \nPlease let the organiser know if you are travelling by train and require picking up from the station which is 1 1/2 miles from the venue. \n 
URL:https://memf.org.uk/event/workshop-for-voices-with-bill-carslake/
LOCATION:Coton Centre\, Tamworth\, Church Comberford Road\, Tamworth\, B79 9AA\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Voices
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20230520T103000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20230520T170000
DTSTAMP:20260404T015344
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:https://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
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20230603T103000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20230603T170000
DTSTAMP:20260404T015344
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:https://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
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20230715T103000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20230715T170000
DTSTAMP:20260404T015344
CREATED:20230212T193306Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230629T134512Z
UID:8012-1689417000-1689440400@memf.org.uk
SUMMARY:Treasures from the Baldwin Commonplace Book with Rory McCleery on 15th July 2023
DESCRIPTION:Treasures from the Baldwin Commonplace book \nJohn Baldwin (c.1560 – 1615) is one of the lesser-known but hugely important figures in the history of the music of Elizabethan England. A singer (at both St George’s Windsor and as a Gentleman of the Chapel Royal) and composer\, Baldwin was also a professional music copyist responsible for My Ladye Nevells Booke\, a compendium of William Byrd’s keyboard music\, as well as the compilation or completion of a number of important manuscripts of vocal and consort music. \nChief among these is Baldwin’s idiosyncratic ‘Commonplace’ book – now housed in the British Library\, it seems to be a repository for Baldwin’s personal favourite pieces\, written out\, unusually for the time\, for the most part in score and without texts. Works by all of the great composers of the age – along with many by less familiar figures – can be found\, as well as madrigals by Marenzio and historic pre-Reformation pieces. \nWe will be singing a selection of these\, including masterpieces by Byrd (Tristitia et anxietas) and Tallis (Loquebantur variis linguis)\, fantastic pieces by William Mundy and Nathaniel Giles\, a Marenzio madrigal and works by earlier composers\, as well as something by Baldwin himself! \n \nRory McCleery is a popular Tutor whom we welcome back to MEMF. He is an award-winning Scottish conductor\, countertenor & musicologist. Internationally renowned for his compelling interpretations of a wide range of repertoire\, he is particularly associated with the choral music of the Renaissance and Baroque\, and is also increasingly known for his affinity with the music of contemporary British composers. Rory has appeared at prestigious venues including the Wigmore Hall and BBC Proms and has directed choirs and led masterclasses\, study days and workshops in the USA\, Spain\, Germany\, France and Italy. He features regularly on radio and television\, including the recent BBC2 series ‘Art That Made Us’. \nRory is Founder & Artistic Director of The Marian Consort\, with whom he performs internationally\, including a recent televised tour of Japan. Rory has an extensive discography with The Marian Consort on both Delphian and Linn Records\, including many first recordings of both new and historic music which have garnered a variety of accolades and awards including the Diapason D’Or\, Presto Classical Album of the Year and the Preis der Deutschen Schallplattenkritik. When not researching and conducting\, Rory is also active as a countertenor\, performing as a soloist with ensembles including The Dunedin Consort\, English Consort and Ensemble 1604. \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 are available  from the station which is 1 1/2 miles from the venue. \nRefreshments are served from 10 am. \nBooking is now open until 7th July. \n 
URL:https://memf.org.uk/event/vocal-workshop-with-rory-mcleery-at-coton-centre-tamworth-on-15th-july/
LOCATION:Coton Centre\, Tamworth\, Church Comberford Road\, Tamworth\, B79 9AA\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Voices
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20230909T103000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20230910T170000
DTSTAMP:20260404T015344
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:https://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
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20230923T103000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20230923T170000
DTSTAMP:20260404T015344
CREATED:20230814T115749Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230814T120111Z
UID:8431-1695465000-1695488400@memf.org.uk
SUMMARY:Baroque String Workshop with Oliver Webber 23rd September 2023
DESCRIPTION:A journey from England to Germany and Italy for violins\, violas\, cellos\, double bass/violone\, viols and theorbo.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThe composers on the menu for today’s workshop represent a variety of styles of the late Baroque period. Johann Christoph Pez (1664-1716)\, a German composer from Munich\, was heavily influenced by the French style of Jean-Baptiste Lully. His Suite in D minor is a perfect example of Lully’s style. Henry Purcell (1659-1695) remains one of the greatest English composers. The instrumental pieces in his semi-operas\, such as King Arthur\, offer a delightful variety of quintessentially English dances. Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741) is famous for having written literally hundreds of concertos for solo instruments. Perhaps less well known are his concertos for strings\, with no solo instrument\, in which he delights in the rich sonorities of the string orchestra. Georg Philipp Telemann (1681-1767) was one of the most prolific and eclectic composers of the late Baroque. He wrote for many different combinations of instruments incorporating French and Italian styles as well as folk traditions from eastern Europe. We will be playing the Lustige Suite which is largely French in conception with an overture and a suite of dances\, but with a few distinctive quirks of its own. \nMusic will be provided.   Please bring a labelled music stand and your own mug \n \nThe Tutor: Oliver Webber is a baroque violinist from London with three decades of experience in the field. He is the director of the Monteverdi string band\, specialists in ensemble music of the 17th century\, and appears regularly with the London Handel Players and the Gonzaga Band. Among  other posts\, he has been a principal player and occasional guest leader of Gabrieli (Consort) for around 20 years\, in the process helping the orchestra explore aspects of historical performance such as all gut stringing and use of the French bow hold. He teaches baroque violin and viola at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama where he also runs classes on ornamentation for instrumentalists and singers. He complements his teaching and performing with research\, editing\, translation and string making. In his spare time he enjoys cycling\, watching cricket\, and reading about European late antiquity. \n  \n  \nVenue   St. Nicholas Church\, St. Nicholas Church Street\, Warwick CV34 4JD 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 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 maximum charge is £7.00. Payment is by card or the RingGo App. \nWarwick 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. \nNeither MEMF or the venue can accept any responsibility for property lost or damaged \n  \nBooking is now open – please scroll down.
URL:https://memf.org.uk/event/baroque-string-workshop-with-oliver-webber-23rd-september-2023/
LOCATION:Solihull Methodist Church\, Blossomfield Road\, Solihull\, B91 1LG\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:A415,Strings
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