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DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20241214T103000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20241214T170000
DTSTAMP:20260403T221033
CREATED:20240512T200655Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241106T212608Z
UID:10941-1734172200-1734195600@memf.org.uk
SUMMARY:Praetorius Christmas Workshop with Patrick Craig on 14th December 2024
DESCRIPTION:This workshop is for voices and any number of instruments – strings\, including viols\, wind and brass at pitch A440. \nThe German composer and music theorist Michael Praetorius (born Michael Schultze about 1571/2) was the son\, and brother\, of Lutheran pastors. After studying theology and philosophy in Frankfurt he later became organist and music director to the Duke of Brunswick\, where he stayed for over 20 years. After the death of his employer\, he travelled extensively in Germany working as music director in several north German courts where he met and worked with Schütz\, Schein & Scheidt. Praetorius considered himself a pioneer in the introduction of the new Italian Baroque style into Protestant Germany. \nWe will work on a selection of his pieces for the festive season. \nMusic will be provided on the day                   Instrumentalists please bring a named Music stand \n \nPatrick Craig is a countertenor who sang a thousand concerts with The Tallis Scholars while singing as a Vicar Choral at St Paul’s Cathedral where he has worked for almost thirty years. He has also recorded extensively as a member of The Cardinall’s Musick. He lectures on choral music for the Arts Society and conducts singing workshops for organisations across Europe. He is the founder Director of this country’s preeminent all-female professional choir Aurora Nova. \nTimetable for the Day \n10 am:           Registration and drinks\n10.30am;       Morning Session with a short break\n1 pm:             a free buffet lunch will be provided as part of a very generous  legacy left by the late Heather Holt\, our previous Treasurer – and much more.\n2pm:              Afternoon session\n3.30 approx   Tea\n4.00:              Final session\n5.00:              Finish \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDirections   Dorridge Village Hall\, Grange Road\, Dorridge\,  B93 8QA has plenty of parking but there is height restricting barrier of 2m at the entrance\, If you need to travel in your pantechnicon please inform the organiser who will arrange for it to be open! \nWarning for sat nav users. The official postcode for the Village Hall B93 8QA may set your destination quite some distance from the Hall.\nThe What3Words location is ///sponge.flopping.wedding . \nFrom Dorridge centre on the B4101 (Grange Road) the turning to the Hall is the first left after Dorridge Park. If you get to the Railway pub you have gone too far!\nFrom Hockley Heath\, the driveway to the Hall is the first right after the Railway pub\, before the “Welcome to Dorridge” signs. \nPlease note: The M42 will be closed between junctions 6 & 7a the weekend of the workshop\, which will affect anyone travelling southbound on the M42.  Details of the closure and the diversions in place can be found here. \nDorridge Station (Chiltern Line) is about ½ mile away. Turn left out of the station and at the main road turn left under the railway bridge = Grange Road. The venue is on the left past the park. \nThe Organiser is Jonathan Spencer 07784 657563                              \nTo book click here\n 
URL:https://memf.org.uk/event/christmas-workshop-with-patrick-craig-on-14th-december-2024/
LOCATION:Dorridge Village Hall\, Grange Road\, Dorridge\, B93 8QA
CATEGORIES:A440,brass,Continuo,Loud wind,Recorders,Strings,Viols,Voices
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250111T103000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250111T170000
DTSTAMP:20260403T221033
CREATED:20241119T175732Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241206T151635Z
UID:14812-1736591400-1736614800@memf.org.uk
SUMMARY:Tribus Miraculis - workshop with Stephanie Dyer 11th January 2025
DESCRIPTION: Tribus Miraculis – Music for a Saturday after Epiphany\nThis workshop is for all voices and instruments and Renaissance wind instruments – cornetts curtals\, recorders\, sackbuts and shawms – are particularly welcome. \nString players are also warmly invited to participate plus one continuo player\, or others who come with their own instrument. A=440 \n  \nThe music we will be playing is in multi parts: \na12 – Jacob Handl – Tribus miraculis \na8 – Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina – Surge illuminare \na8 – Caspar Vincentius – Gloria tibi \na12 – Hans Leo Hassler – Jubilate Deo \n  \nMusic will be provided on the day \nInstrumentalists please bring a labelled music stand \n  \n \n  \nThe Tutor Virtuoso historical trombonist Stephanie Dyer enjoys an international career as Early musician\, modern performer and educator. Born and raised in Cardiff\, Stephanie studied at King’s College\, Cambridge\, Royal Academy of Music\, London and Schola Cantorum Basiliensis\, Switzerland. She performs with world-renowned historic brass group His Majestys Sagbutts & Cornetts\, of which she has been a member since 2016. Stephanie’s performance activities are diverse: equally at home in the theatre and recording studio as on the concert platform\, she is trombonist and Cover Conductor for Disney’s Aladdin the Musical (UK/Ireland Tour\, 2023–25)\, and is part of the 2024 Songs of Praise Christmas Special\, to be broadcast Sunday 22nd December on BBC One. \n  \nA devoted teacher\, Stephanie is Baroque Trombone professor at RAM\, teaches trombone at the University of Cambridge and is a passionate workshop leader in the UK and internationally\, including for the regional Early Music Fora (2021–)\, Beauchamp Adult Early Music Course (2024–); International Early Music Summer School\, ?cinawka Górna (Poland\, 2017–)\, Warsaw Sackbut & Cornett Festival (2021–); and for Alta Capella Vianensis (the Netherlands\, 2022–). \n  \nTimetable for the day \n10.00              Registration and drinks \n10.30              Morning session (with a short break) \n1.00                Lunch (bring your own) \n2.00                Afternoon session \n3.30 approx   Tea break \n4.00                Final session \n5.00                Finish \nThe Venue  Solihull 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 and is well served by buses. There is a large car park with the entrance in Station Approach. If coming by car\, use postcode B91 1LG for your satnav. \nNB. If approaching from the west along Blossomfield Road\, please note that there is no left turn into Station Approach. Either go completely around the roundabout and then turn right into Station Approach\, or take the first exit at the roundabout into Streetsbrook Road and then turn left into the opposite end of Station Approach at the traffic lights. \nBook here by 3rd January 2025\nWorkshop Organiser is Jill Davies – 07721 317030 or daviesmusic@btinternet.com
URL:https://memf.org.uk/event/workshop-for-voices-and-instruments-with-stephanie-dyer/
LOCATION:Solihull Methodist Church Hall\, Blosssomfield Road\, Solihull\, B91 1LG\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:A440,brass,Loud wind,Recorders,Strings
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250215T103000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250215T170000
DTSTAMP:20260403T221033
CREATED:20241119T180030Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250120T174222Z
UID:14815-1739615400-1739638800@memf.org.uk
SUMMARY:The Music of Thomas Tomkins - workshop for voices with Carys Lane on 15th February 2025
DESCRIPTION:Thomas Tomkins \nPerhaps less well known than predecessor William Byrd or his contemporary Orlando Gibbons\, Tomkins is nevertheless a composer of wonderful invention and skill. His work\,\nlike that of Gibbons\, forms a bridge between the music of the renaissance and the baroque and comprises consort music in the form of madrigals\, and liturgical music including both full anthems and the more modern verse anthems. Born in Wales\, he was a chorister at St Davids cathedral. He held post as organist at Worcester cathedral for some 50 years from 1596 until the cathedral’s closure in 1646 due to the civil war\, but was also a Gentleman Ordinary of the famous Chapel Royal in London\, travelling frequently between the two jobs. In this workshop we will visit both his madrigal output\, looking at works from his 1622 publication – Songs of 3\,4\,5 and 6 Parts- and music from his sacred output. Repertory will include\, possibly his most famous piece\, the great lament – When David Heard and also it’s companion piece the lesser known Then David Mourned. We will investigate his huge invention in the madrigalian fa-la-la in madrigals such as Too much I once Lamented and O Let me Die for True Love. And also enjoy some forgotten gems\, such as an expansive 6 part setting of the psalm 120 Woe is Me\, and possibly one of the greatest madrigals ever written\, Music Divine. \nMusic will be provided\, but if you would like to download it onto your tablet please contact liz.ashby@ntlworld.com  and she will send you a link. \n \nThe Tutor Carys Lane studied at the Purcell School and Royal Academy of music\, and in 1999 was awarded an ARAM from the Academy for her service to Music. Having graduated\, her early career was spent specialising in early music and ensemble singing. She recorded and performed with nearly all the major professional ensembles and choirs in Britain at the time\, including The Tallis Scholars\, The Sixteen\, I Fagiolini\, The Cardinal’s Musicke\, The Clerk’s Group\, Tenebrae\, and The Gabrieli Consort. Since then Carys has changed the focus of her career to coaching and teaching. She is now based in Oxford and teaches choral scholars at Magdalen\, Merton and Queen’s and Christchurch Colleges\, as well as offering lessons and classes across the university. She is the vocal consultant for The Oxford Bach Choir\, and works with the Merton Girls Choir for whom she leads the probationers program. She has held coaching residencies at the university of Perth Australia\, the University of Vermont\, and Dartington summer schools. She teaches for the Rodolfus Foundation Choral Courses and for the National Youth Choirs of Great Britain. Ensemble singing has always been her primary musical passion\, and she now works with The Martlet Ensemble\, a professional small vocal ensemble whose remit is to work with students at University College Oxford\, offering coaching to singers whilst performing with them. \n  \n  \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. \nLifts are available from the station – just contact the organiser (below) \nTimetable for the day \n10.00              Registration and drinks \n10.30              Morning session (with a short comfort break) \n1.00                Lunch (bring your own) \n2.00                Afternoon session \n3.30 approx   Tea break \n4.00                Final session \n5.00                Finish \nWorkshop Organiser: Elizabeth Ashby 07892 715401 \nBook here for this workshop before Sunday 2nd February
URL:https://memf.org.uk/event/workshop-for-voices-and-instruments-with-carys-lane/
LOCATION:Coton Centre\, Tamworth\, Church Comberford Road\, Tamworth\, B79 9AA\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Voices
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250315T103000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250315T170000
DTSTAMP:20260403T221033
CREATED:20241119T180330Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250313T142009Z
UID:14819-1742034600-1742058000@memf.org.uk
SUMMARY:Hei Mihi\, Domine - Workshop for Voices with David Allinson on 15th March 2025
DESCRIPTION:Hei Mihi\, Domine – Iberian Penitential Motets.\n \nThe Music.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Join us for a day of plangently penitential motets to mark the season of Lent. For this workshop we explore music by some of the most celebrated composers of the Iberian ‘golden age’ of polyphony – Morales\, Guerrero\, Vivanco and Victoria – but also sing stunning motets by lesser-known composers\, including Portuguese musicians Filipe de Magalhães and Aires Fernandez. \nWhile the mood of these pieces can be anxious or gloomy\, their texts focusing on sin\, the Passion and the afterlife\, the music is deliciously expressive and life-affirming (as every singer knows\, it’s the saddest music that’s most enjoyable). Laden with suspensions and with moments of huge dramatic contrast\, these mostly-unfamiliar works should offer participants a highly-rewarding day of emotionally-engrossing\, technically-challenging singing. \nAs ever\, the music list is subject to change according to forces signing up\, and we especially need a strong contingent of Tenors and Basses to balance the likely strength in the upper voices. So please sign up early! \nMusic will be provided on the day. \n \n  \nThe Tutor\, Dr David Allinson is a freelance conductor\, singer and academic with wide experience as a leader of choral workshops. His special love is Renaissance polyphony\, and he has led countless workshops and singing holidays in the UK and Europe\, working for every UK Early Music Forum\, for organisations such as Run by Singers and for numerous private groups. He is known for his combination of scholarship\, technical know-how and humorous positivity. \nDavid has been the musical director of the Renaissance Singers (London) since 2010 and has conducted numerous other choirs including his own ensemble\, Cantores. He is Honorary Vice-President of the Southern Early Music Forum. [More at www.davidallinson.com]. \n  \nVenue:  https://www.stmarysstafford.org.uk \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 (see below) if you would like to make use of one of these spaces\, and please try to car-share where possible. \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. \nTimetable for the day: \n10.00              Registration and drinks \n10.30              Morning session (with a short break) \n1.00                Lunch: bring your own or use local pubs and cafés (easily accessible from venue) \n2.00                Afternoon session \n3.30 approx   Tea break \n4.00                Final session \nThe organiser for the day is Tim Boardman – tim.boardman.tb@gmail.com or 07794 837396 \nBooking closed
URL:https://memf.org.uk/event/workshop-for-voices-with-david-allinson/
LOCATION:Collegiate Church of St  Mary’s \, Stafford
CATEGORIES:Voices
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250412T103000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250412T170000
DTSTAMP:20260403T221033
CREATED:20250106T180924Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250314T180333Z
UID:15160-1744453800-1744477200@memf.org.uk
SUMMARY:From Mexico with Tears:  Lamentations by Padilla and López  Capillas with George Parris on 12th April 2025
DESCRIPTION:We welcome back George Parris to tutor this workshop\, for voices and all instruments at A440 pitch. \nWe will explore two settings of the Lamentations of Jeremiah by outstanding composers: Juan Gutierrez de Padilla\n(c. 1590-1664) and Francisco López Capillas (1608-1674). Both composers worked at the magnificent cathedral in Puebla\, Mexico\, where the music-loving Bishop Juan Palafox y Mendoza presided over the richest establishment of the Spanish Empire outside Spain. Their music represents a high point in the Spanish manner of sacred polyphony\, exhibiting a use of voices and a tonal instability that is both remarkable and highly expressive. \nJuan Gutierrez de Padilla was born in Málaga\, in Old Spain\, and was appointed maestro at Cádiz Cathedral in around 1616. He next appears at the Cathedral in Puebla in 1622 where he later became maestro and would spend the rest of his life. \nFrancisco López Capillas was born in Mexico City where he sang in the Cathedral choir and studied theology at the University. By 1641\, he is found working as organist\, cantor\, and assistant to Juan Gutierrez de Padilla at Puebla Cathedral\, but he later returned to Mexico City where he became maestro of the Catedral de México in 1654. \nGeorge Parris read Music at Cambridge University\, following by a Master’s Degree at Oxford University\, and then studied choral conducting and ensemble singing at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki. In 2011 he founded The Carice Singers\, now a professional vocal ensemble\, and works across Europe as a singer\, chorus master\, and conductor. His work is varied and far-reaching\, from being Artistic Director of the Aurore Renaissance Music Festival in Helsinki\, performing vocal works by Kaija Saariaho and Luciano Berio\, and mentoring the next generation of choral composers on schemes for Cheltenham Music Festival\, Spitalfields Music Festival\, and the Three Choirs Festival. \nTimetable for the day \n10.00             Registration and drinks – PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN MUG \n10.30             Morning session (with a short break) \n1.00               Lunch (bring your own /or use local pubs and cafes) \n2.00                Afternoon session \n3.30 approx Tea break \n4.00               Final session \n5.00               Finish \nVenue   St Faith & St Laurence Church is very visible at the junction of Balden Rd & Croftdown Rd in Harborne\, Birmingham\, B32 2EL . There is a small amount of parking next to the church\, and plenty more street parking on Croftdown Road. \nThe organiser is Jonathan Spencer. If\, having booked\, you need to cancel\, please let him know on 07784 657563 \nBooking is now open-  book here.
URL:https://memf.org.uk/event/from-mexico-with-tears-lamentations-with-george-parris-on-12th-april-2025/
LOCATION:St.Faith & St.Laurence Church Hall\, Balden Road\, Harborne\, Birmingham\, B32 2EL\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:A440,brass,Loud wind,Recorders,Strings,Voices,woodwind
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250510T103000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250510T170000
DTSTAMP:20260403T221033
CREATED:20241210T115240Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250331T210314Z
UID:14953-1746873000-1746896400@memf.org.uk
SUMMARY:'Veni Domine\, et noli tardare' - Sebastianist Music from Renaissance Portugal with Rory McCleery on 10th May 2025
DESCRIPTION:The Music\nMusical settings of disconsolate devotional and biblical passages often presented Renaissance musicians with an effective and potentially covert vehicle for political commentary\, and such is the case with works by many of the Portuguese composers living under the rule of the Spanish Habsburgs. These musicians expressed through their compositions both the sadness of the people at being governed by a foreign power\, and also the longing for the restoration of the Portuguese monarchy\, a sentiment which found expression in the cult of ‘Sebastianism’\, a belief that the young King Sebastian\, who vanished in 1578 during an ill-advised military campaign in Morocco\, might one day return to reclaim his throne. This was not to be\, and it would not be until the accession of the music-loving John\, Duke of Braganza as John (João) IV in December 1640\, that the throne would be reclaimed from Spain. \nJoin our popular tutor Rory McCleery for an exploration of this fascinating and beautiful repertoire\, including plangently expressive motets and mass movements by Duarte Lobo\, Manuel Cardoso and Estêvão Lopes Morago. \nMusic will be provided on the day \nThe Tutor\nRory McCleery 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’. \n  \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. \nTimetable for the day\n10.00        Registration and drinks \n10.30        Morning session (with a short comfort break) \n1.00          Lunch (bring your own as there are no facilities nearby) \n2.00          Afternoon session \n3.30          Tea break \n4.00          Final session \n5.00          Finish \nThe Venue  \nEmmanuel Church Centre\, Forest Rd\, Loughborough LE11 3NW \nFree parking in the church car park further along the road (on the same side going out of the town) – separated from the church complex by a grassed area.  Disabled parking is available at the church entrance. \n  \nOrganiser: Philippa Bristow 07812 268246 or memfworkshops@gmail.com \nBooking is now open: Book here by Friday 25th April
URL:https://memf.org.uk/event/workshop-for-voices-with-rory-mccleery/
LOCATION:Emmanuel Church\, Loughborough\, Forest Road\, Loughborough\, LE11 3NW
CATEGORIES:Voices
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250621T103000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250621T170000
DTSTAMP:20260403T221033
CREATED:20241210T115754Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250511T145532Z
UID:14955-1750501800-1750525200@memf.org.uk
SUMMARY:Thomas Morley - workshop for voices with Will Dawes and Katie Bank on 21st June 2025
DESCRIPTION:Plaine and Easie? The life and music of Thomas Morley\nFollowing a very successful double-act on Weelkes in 2023\,Will Dawes (music) and Dr Katie Bank (historical background and context) return to present a workshop on Thomas Morley. \nThomas Morley was more than a composer and Gentleman of the Chapel Royal. He was a businessman\, a mover and a shaker. He propagated trends that altered the English musical landscape and had the expertise and competence to bring major projects to fruition\, even politically sensitive ones. As a musician\, Morley had a range unlike most of his contemporaries. Though he is mostly known today for his Italian-style madrigals and fa-las\, he also wrote evocative Latin polyphony and experimented in a variety of musical idioms. \nThe music will include secular and sacred music by Morley in up to 7 parts\, with texts in Latin\, English and Italian. We will be singing Agnus Dei\, I follow\, lo\, the footing\, De profundis\, Phyllis\, I fain would die now\, Laboravi\, Nolo mortem\, It was a lover and his lass and Now is the month of Maying (but not as you know it…) \n \n  \nKatie Bank is Leverhulme Early Career Fellow in the Department of History at the University of Birmingham. She has written and edited books and articles on English recreational music\, William Byrd\, Music in the Chapel Royal and musical-visual culture in Renaissance England. She was creator of ByrdCentral.com\, a collaborative educational initiative between academics\, teachers\, and musicians that celebrated the quatercentenary of Byrd’s death\, Katie is an avid choral singer and collaborates regularly with ensembles around the United Kingdom. \n \n  \nWill Dawes is a Choral Director and Baritone. He is Director of Chapel Music at Somerville College\, Oxford\, where he directs the only auditioned non-liturgical college choir in the University. He has directed the BBC Singers and the Eric Whitacre Singers as well as workshop days for Stile Antico and almost all the Early Music Forums in the UK. He was the founding Director of Music of Frideswide Voices\, Oxford’s first group of 7-13 year-old girl choristers in over 500 years. For 16 years\, he was a member of the triple-GRAMMY-nominated early-music ensemble Stile Antico and has also sung with some of the foremost choral ensembles in the UK including The Sixteen\, The Cardinall’s Musick\, Ora\, Magnificat\, Gabrieli Consort\, Polyphony\, and London Voices. He has twice curated a performance of the complete Latin works of William Byrd in 24 hours\, both taking place in the church of St Mary Magdalen\, Oxford\, where he is Director of Music. \n  \nVenue   Dorridge Village Hall http://www.dorridgevillagehall.org/ 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. \nDorridge train station is approximately 10 minutes’ walk away. Directions can be provided on request. \nThe Organiser is Marion Thompson\, 07436 540608 \nBooking is now open – book here by 13th June
URL:https://memf.org.uk/event/thomas-morley-workshop-for-voices-with-will-dawes-and-katie-bank/
LOCATION:Dorridge Village Hall\, Grange Road\, Dorridge\, B93 8QA
CATEGORIES:Voices
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250719T103000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250719T170000
DTSTAMP:20260403T221033
CREATED:20250304T142326Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250609T195639Z
UID:16292-1752921000-1752944400@memf.org.uk
SUMMARY:A Musical Banquet - Schein's Banchetto Musicale - with Alison Kinder on 19th July 2025
DESCRIPTION:In this workshop for instruments we will cover three of the instrumental suites from Johann Hermann Schein’s Banchetto Musicale of 1617. It is suitable for recorders\, strings\, brass and reeds at pitch A=440. One keyboard continuo player would also be welcome. The workshop begins at 10.30 with refreshments from 10.00 \n \nThe Composer Johann Hermann Schein (1586-1630) was Thomaskantor in Leipzig from 1615 to 1630\, the post later held by J S Bach. He was one of the first composers to import the early Italian stylistic innovations into German music. Unlike his friend Heinrich Schütz\, he did not live a long or happy life. His wife died in childbirth; four of his five children died in infancy; he died in Leipzig at age 44\, having suffered from tuberculosis\, gout\, scurvy\, and a kidney disorder. \nSchein wrote sacred and secular music in approximately equal quantities\, mainly vocal; however\, today he is perhaps best known for his collection of instrumental suites called Banchetto Musicale (Musical Banquet)\, published in 1617.  The twenty suites each share the same format: Padouana\, Gagliarda\, and Courente\, all in five parts\, followed by an Allemande and Tripla in four parts. \nSchein does not specify the instrumentation\, and although he does say in the preface that he prefers to have viols included\, the style hints at early violin writing\, and is also reminiscent of the wind music of people like Bassano. Schein also says that in his next published work he will begin providing a written part for a keyboard\, so it might be appropriate to use continuo in the Banchetto Musicale. \n \n  \nThe 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 is the viol player in the female polyphonic group Musica Secreta\, directed by Laurie Stras who ran a workshop for MEMF last year. Alison also enjoys a close exploration of the 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! \n  \nThe Venue is Knowle Village Hall\, St. John’s Close\, Knowle\, Solihull\, B93 0NH\nhttps://knowlevillagehall.co.uk/ \nParking is pretty good around the village hall\, as it is surrounded on three sides by public car parks owned by the Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council and at the front of the building on the forecourt we can usually park four/five cars. The first two hours in the public car parks are free but for longer stays a fee is charged. \nThe 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. \nThe Organiser is Jane Warren please contact her by text if you need to\, on  07472 793531 \nBooking is now open please book here by 10th July.
URL:https://memf.org.uk/event/scheins-banchetto-musicale-a-workshop-with-alison-kinder-on-19th-july-2025/
LOCATION:Knowle Village Hall\, St John’s Close\, Knowle\, Solihull\, B93 0NN\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:A440,brass,Continuo,Loud wind,Recorders,Strings
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250927T103000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250927T170000
DTSTAMP:20260403T221033
CREATED:20250304T142833Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250921T221022Z
UID:16295-1758969000-1758992400@memf.org.uk
SUMMARY:A celebration of  Andrea Gabrieli with Philip Thorby on 27th September 2025 + AGM
DESCRIPTION:The music\nThis workshop to mark the 540th anniversary of the death of Andrea Gabrieli will explore some of his 12-part works and\, depending on forces\, his 16-part Gloria. We welcome singers and the following instruments: cornetts\, sackbuts\, recorders. curtals. all strings and continuo. A=440 \nInstrumentalists please note that there will not be C-clefs for all the pieces\, and continuo players will be working from scores or figured bass parts. \nMusic will be provided on the day \nThere will be a short AGM at lunchtime. \n\n \nAndrea Gabrieli \nMarking the 540th anniversary of the death of Andrea Gabrieli\, pupil of Orlandus Lassus and Maestro di Cappella of St Marks in Venice. Andrea was much more than just the uncle of Giovanni! Even in his large-scale works\, Andrea’s music has an intimacy and subtlety which reflect his great teacher\, Lassus. \nWe will explore some of Andrea’s twelve-part works\, including the psalm setting Benedicam Dominum and Magnificat and the masterly hymn to music Cantiam di Dio\, and (if the forces are suitable) his immense\, four-choir\, sixteen-part Gloria. \n\n \nPhilip Thorby is a regular and popular tutor and we are delighted to welcome him back again – he is well known as one of the country’s leading performers and teachers in the field of Renaissance and Baroque music. He founded and directed the ensemble “Musica Antiqua of London” which was at the forefront of research-based performance of renaissance music\, a passion he is now exploring further with professional and amateur musicians in many different contexts\, including courses held each year in Venice and elsewhere. \nHe is Emeritus Fellow in Early Music at Trinity Laban Conservatoire\, London. \nPhilip is particularly well known to MEMF members\, having delivered many inspiring workshops. His series of 4 lectures on Venice in the early 1500s present a fascinating view of the city – with the lives of composers Ganassi and Willaert intertwined with notable names of the day. These lectures were delivered during the pandemic and can be found on our website. https://memf.org.uk/home/philip-thorby-lectures/ \nTimetable for the day \n10.00              Registration and drinks \n10.30              Morning session (with a short comfort break) \n1.00                Short AGM followed by lunch (bring your own or use local pubs and cafes) \n2.00                Afternoon session \n3.30 approx   Tea break \n4.00                Final session \n5.00                Finish \nVenue   Solihull Methodist Church\, Blossomfield Road\, Solihull\, B91 1LG \nSolihull Methodist Church Hall is situated close to the centre of Solihull in the West Midlands. It is right next to the town’s railway station\, at the junction of Blossomfield Road and Station Approach. There is a large car park\, including a number of dedicated disabled parking spaces\, with the car park entrance in Station Approach. As you enter the car park the Church Hall is ahead of you – we are not in the church on the left. If using a SatNav to direct you\, the postcode is B91 1LG. \nNB If approaching from the west along Blossomfield Road there is no left turn into Station Approach. Either go completely around the roundabout back the way you came and  turn immediately right into Station Approach\, or\, more easily take the first exit at the roundabout into Streetsbrook Road and then turn left into the other end of Station Approach at the traffic lights (by the Fire Station). \nhttps://www.solihull-methodist.org.uk/where-are-we/ \nNeither MEMF or the venue can accept any responsibility for property lost or damaged. \nBooking has now closed.
URL:https://memf.org.uk/event/workshop-for-voices-and-instruments-with-philip-thorby-on-27th-september-2025/
LOCATION:Solihull Methodist Church Hall\, Blosssomfield Road\, Solihull\, B91 1LG\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:A440,brass,Continuo,Loud wind,Recorders,Strings,Voices
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20251018T103000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20251018T170000
DTSTAMP:20260403T221033
CREATED:20250304T143600Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250908T143601Z
UID:16297-1760783400-1760806800@memf.org.uk
SUMMARY:Vivaldi's Gloria with Tutor Ben England on 18th October 2025
DESCRIPTION:Come and sing the choruses from Vivaldi’s momentous Gloria in D major\, and learn about the fascinating history of this work – how it was lost for centuries before being rediscovered in the mid 20th century.  Ben England BEM\, acclaimed conductor and music educator will lead the day\, with support from an array of online resources to help singers learn the parts before they come. Pitch will be A415 (Baroque pitch). \nVivaldi’s celebrated Gloria was written for the Ospedale della Pietà in Venice around 1715. It is a perennially popular work and great fun to sing and play but it is perhaps more unusual to have the chance to work on it at the pitch for which it was intended\, which is also easier on the singers’ voices. This workshop will also give us a chance (in chorus or perhaps semi-chorus) to try out the lovely soprano and alto solos and duos.\nWe welcome applications from all voice parts.\nHave a look at Ben’s preparation materials on  www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIngS9V1Y4Lj-ovsbCMiW06Go1IqMsi7V \nSingers\, please read the following notes with care before applying.\nWe will be working from the Westermann score of the Gloria: https://koorpartij-oefening.nl/partituren/Partituur-Gloria-RV-589-Vivaldi.pdf\nThe vocal score runs to 90 pages\, so it is impractical to print vocal scores for all. You are welcome to download the vocal score to a tablet or print it yourself. The correct printed score is also available readily for a small cost: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Gloria-RV-589-Vocal-score/dp/1932419551\nIf you own a different edition of the vocal score\, these are mainly compatible\, except for the second movement (Et in Terra Pax). A substitute page 11 can be provided for the problems in the Ricordi edition. \nInstrumentalists: The Gloria is scored for oboe\, trumpet\, strings (of the violin family) and continuo. Winds are not used throughout so wind players may wish to sing in the other movements if they have a vocal score (spare scores will not be available – please read above). We welcome applications from violins\, violas\, cellos\, double bass/violone\, and one or two Baroque oboes or trumpets. Up to two recorder players may be accepted if they have C instruments (descants) at A415; they will be doubling or substituting the oboe and trumpet parts. One or two keyboard continuo players (one organ and one harpsichord)\, theorbo and bassoon are welcome to apply. The orchestral bass part is figured. \nInstrumental parts can be provided on the day or links can be sent out in advance. MEMF reserves the right to limit acceptance to preserve the orchestral balance. \nBen England is a new tutor to MEMF\, but our South West colleagues were very enthusiastic about this workshop:  https://swemf.org.uk/vivaldi-workshop-with-ben-england/.   Ben is an award-winning conductor\, educator and musical innovator based in Bristol. He has conducted choirs and orchestras across the UK and internationally and was awarded the British Empire Medal in 2020 for services to music and the community during the COVID-!9 pandemic. \nBen is the founder of Homechoir and co-founder of Choir of the Earth\, two pioneering online choirs that bring high-quality choral learning to singers around the world.  He is also Principal of Earth Choir Academy\, a non-profit organisation dedicated to music education and digital singing resources.  In recognition of his work\, he received the University of Bristol Alumni Award for Community Engagement and Impact in 2022. \nBen is known for his engaging and inclusive approach to music-making\, from Renaissance motets to large-scale symphonic works and in much in demand He has conducted major performances in venues such as Salzburg’s Mozarteum\, the Haydn Hall at Esterhazy and St Philip’s Cathedral in Atlanta\, and has worked with groups such as the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra\, Tenebrae and the Gesualdo Six.  His educational music work reaches tens of thousands of singers globally. \nAn award-winning Advanced Skills Teacher with a long and successful teaching career\, Ben has worked extensively across the education sector\, including city-wide as Vocal and Instrumental Manager for the Bristol Beacon and prominent roles with the University of the West of England and St George’s Bristol on the ground-breaking Sing for Happiness initiative. \nVenue   Dorridge Village Hall\, Grange Rd\, Dorridge\, Solihull B93 8QA\nhttps://dorridgevillagehall.org.uk/\nThe 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. The What3Words location is ///sponge.flopping.wedding . Satnavs tend to misdirect you. Dorridge station is 0.6 miles away. \nWorkshop organiser is Jane Warren\, janeariadnesclew@gmail.com \nBooking is now open. Click here.\n  \n  \n 
URL:https://memf.org.uk/event/vivaldi-gloria-with-tutor-ben-england-on-18th-october-2025/
LOCATION:Dorridge Village Hall\, Grange Road\, Dorridge\, B93 8QA
CATEGORIES:A415,brass,Continuo,Recorders,Strings,Voices,woodwind
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20251108T103000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20251108T170000
DTSTAMP:20260403T221033
CREATED:20250425T194843Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251104T211424Z
UID:16723-1762597800-1762621200@memf.org.uk
SUMMARY:Consumed with Sorrow - workshop for voices with Angus Smith on 8th November
DESCRIPTION:Consumed with Sorrow – Renaissance Masterpieces inspired by loss.\nWhether it was the passing of a much-loved and respected individual\, or a response to calamities that befell whole nations\, these occasions inspired outstanding composers to write some of their finest and most exquisite music. This programme of stunning pieces – to be presented by a tutor new to us\, tenor Angus Smith\, founder-member of the Orlando Consort and regular contributor to many leading early music vocal groups\,  – follows the development of compositional styles across Burgundy\, the Low Countries\, Spain\, Italy and England from the 1450s to the 1550s\, and features Robert White’s majestic 5-part setting of the Lamentations of Jeremiah. \n\nGuillaume Dufay Lamentatio sanctae matris ecclesiae Constaninopolitanae \nJohannes Ockeghem Mort tu as navré\nJosquin Desprez Nymphes des bois\nHeinrich Isaac Quis dabit pacem populo timenti\nTordesillas Lamentations of Jeremiah (4-part)\nRobert White Lamentations of Jeremiah (5-part)\nThomas Tomkins When David heard\n\nPrinted music for this workshop will be provided free of charge on the day of the event by music publisher Stainer & Bell and participants are welcome to keep them after the event subject to respecting copyright conditions. A limited number of scores will be available on request for posting out to individuals in advance. Please note: Due to time constraints\, it may be that sections of some of the pieces listed will be considered rather than the complete work. However\, White’s Lamentations will be sung in its entirety \n \nAngus Smith was a choral scholar at St John’s College\, Cambridge\, and a post-graduate singing student at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. He sang regularly with many leading early music ensembles\, including the Taverner Consort\, Tallis Scholars\, the Sixteen\, and the Gabrieli Consort\, and is perhaps most often associated with the Orlando Consort of which he was a permanent member from its foundation in 1988 through to the group’s retirement in 2023. The Consort performed at Britain’s top festivals (including the BBC Proms and the Edinburgh International Festival)\, featured all across Europe (including the famous Salzburg and Lucerne Festivals)\, made over 30 concert tours to the USA (inc. Boston Early Music Festival and Carnegie Hall)\, and travelled to Singapore\, Japan\, Bolivia and Peru. The Consort also regularly presented workshops with local musicians and at prestigious universities\, and had a distinguished recording career\, releasing 39 CDs (twice earning the accolade of ‘Early Music CD of the Year’ from Gramophone Magazine). \nAngus now works with the highly respected music publisher Stainer & Bell and is the Artistic Director of the Music at Paxton Chamber Music Festival in the Scottish Borders. \nVenue:  St Nicholas Church\, Warwick. https://www.stnicholaswarwick.org.uk\nSt. Nicholas Church 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 £8.00. 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. \nBooking is now closed.\nWorkshop Organiser: Jill Davies:  daviesmusic@btinternet.com     07721 317030
URL:https://memf.org.uk/event/workshop-for-voices-with-angus-smith/
LOCATION:St Nicholas Church\, Warwick
CATEGORIES:Voices
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20251206T103000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20251206T170000
DTSTAMP:20260403T221033
CREATED:20250531T174331Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251126T181043Z
UID:17093-1765017000-1765040400@memf.org.uk
SUMMARY:Workshop for Voices and Instruments with Robert Hollingworth on 6th December 2025
DESCRIPTION:We welcome back Robert Hollingworth who last came to MEMF three years ago\, just before his Benevoli project began with I Fagiolini. Their third and final Benevoli album of mid-17th century multi-choir masses from Rome is already recorded (released next spring) and includes a wonderfully flowing three-choir mass\, Missa Angelus Domini.  Based on a lost original\, the mass is fast moving at times with delightful detail and reduced voices sections for the Christe and ‘Et resurrexit’.  It’s for three equal choirs (SATB) but can happily take instrumental doubling on strings\, recorders\, cornetts/sackbuts and bass dulcians (but not double reeds generally).  Come and uncover a work of quality and a real pleasure to sing and play. \n \nRobert Hollingworth founded I Fagiolini in 1986 and has since spent much of his life thinking about how audiences receive music\, instead of just how performers want to deliver it. Aside from his work with I Fagiolini\, he is a conductor\, broadcaster\, educator\, editor and festival director. Robert has conducted orchestras including the English Concert\, Academy of Ancient Music\, BBC Concert Orchestra\, Irish Baroque Orchestra and directed some of the world’s finest chamber choirs including Accentus\, NDR Chor\, RIAS Kammerchor (Berlin)\, Netherlands Chamber Choir\, National Chamber Choir of Ireland\, BBC Singers\, Danish National Vocal Ensemble and Capella Cracoviensis. Robert is Artistic Director for Stour Music Festival and the new ‘Fairest Isle Festival’ on the Isle of Wight. \nAt the University of York\, Robert directs two choirs and the UK’s only MA in Solo-Voice Ensemble Singing\, now in its 13th year. He has written and presented programmes on BBC Radio 3 and more recently created over 30 episodes of the YouTube choral series SingTheScore as well as co-founding and presenting the UK’s top choral podcast series\, Choral Chihuahua\, with Eamonn Dougan and Nicholas Mulroy\, now in its twelfth season. Both are made by Polyphonic Films (Greg Browning). Robert Hollingworth is managed worldwide by Percius. \nThe venue\, Solihull Methodist Church Hall\, is close to the centre of Solihull\, easily accessible from junction 5 of the M42. It is right next to the town’s railway station\, which is also served by buses\, at the junction of Blossomfield Road and Station Approach. There is a large car park\, including a number of dedicated disabled parking spaces\, with the car park entrance in Station Approach. If using a SatNav to direct you\, the postcode is B91 1LG. The Hall is a separate building to the church. \nThe day includes a free lunch thanks to a generous bequest from our former Treasurer\, Heather Holt. \nThe organiser is Jonathan Spencer  07784 657563 \nBooking has now closed\n 
URL:https://memf.org.uk/event/workshop-for-voices-and-instruments-with-robert-hollingworth-on-6th-december-2025/
LOCATION:Solihull Methodist Church Hall\, Blosssomfield Road\, Solihull\, B91 1LG\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:A440,brass,Loud wind,Recorders,Strings,Voices
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260117T103000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260117T170000
DTSTAMP:20260403T221033
CREATED:20251014T173520Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260113T212237Z
UID:18166-1768645800-1768669200@memf.org.uk
SUMMARY:Palestrina: Missa Tu es Petrus a 18 with David Hatcher on 17th January 2026
DESCRIPTION:The Music: Palestrina’s six-voice motet Tu es Petrus\, setting a text from St Matthew in which the pun of Petrus meaning both Peter and rock\,was first published in his second book of motets in 1572. The same composer’s six-voice parody mass based on the motet was published by the Venetian printer Girolamo Scotto in 1601 in the Missarum Liber XII\, but other parody masses based on the same motet were already known. Orazio Benevoli’s sixteen-part (4 choirs each of 4 voices) has recently been recorded by I Fagiolini and this 18-part\, attributed (with some doubt) to Palestrina\, is the subject of this MEMF workshop. \nIt is written for three six-part choirs\, but combines the top and bottom parts of each choir in a number of passages to produce four-part choral textures that contrast beautifully with the full sections. \nSingers and players of brass\, curtals\, lower shawms (tenor and below)\, recorders\, bowed strings (viols and violin family) and plucked strings (lutes\, harps) and harpsichord & organs are all welcome. \n \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. He began his career based in England\, touring America\, Israel\, France\, Germany and the Netherlands. \nHe 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 9 years\, taking an active part in that country’s flourishing early music scene. He has recorded with Evelyn Tubb\, The Consort of Musicke\, I Fagiolini\, Sprezzatura\, and the Japanese ensembles Chelys\, Ensemble Ecclesia and the Bach Collegium of Japan. \nDavid now lives in Leominster on the Welsh Marches and has appeared with Fretwork\, The Royal Shakespeare Theatre\, The Globe Theatre\, The Consort of Musicke\, Musica Antiqua of London\, The Corelli Orchestra\, The Harp Consort\, Glyndebourne Opera and many other period orchestras and ensembles. \nHe has taught on numerous summer schools\, including the Cambridge Early Music Summer School\, the Easter Early Music Course at Monmouth and Sastamala Gregoriana in Finland\, and is in demand as a tutor for many weekend and day courses. \nPast projects include performing in Damon Albarn’s opera ‘Dr Dee’ and performing and recording with I Fagiolini in their hugely successful interpretation of Striggio’s 40-voice mass. He performed in the inaugural season of the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse in 2014 and in the highly acclaimed production of The Knight of the Burning Pestle in 2014 & 2015. He is a founder member of The Linarol Consort of Viols\,  the UK’s only consort specialising in the earliest repertoire for that instrument. \n\n\n\nSt Nicholas Church\, Warwick. https://www.stnicholaswarwick.org.uk\nSt. Nicholas Church 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 the 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 full day charge is £8.00. Payment is by card or the RingGo App.Warwick 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. \nWorkshop Organiser: Jonathan Spencer  07784 657563  jonathan-spencer@blueyonder.co.uk \nBooking is now closed
URL:https://memf.org.uk/event/workshop-for-voices-and-instruments-a440-with-david-hatcher-on-17th-january-2026/
LOCATION:St Nicholas Church\, Warwick
CATEGORIES:A440,brass,Continuo,Recorders,Strings,Voices
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260207T103000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260207T170000
DTSTAMP:20260403T221033
CREATED:20251014T174104Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260107T201341Z
UID:18169-1770460200-1770483600@memf.org.uk
SUMMARY:William Byrd and his Circle with Sally Dunkley on 7th February 2026
DESCRIPTION:We welcome the return of Sally Dunkley\, show-casing Byrd and his contemporaries. While parts of William Byrd’s large musical output are very familiar to many singers\, who were his colleagues and his models? We know that he held in the highest esteem his teacher and friend Thomas Tallis. But he also worked alongside and shared techniques with his contemporaries Robert Parsons\, John Sheppard and Allonso Ferrabosco. In this workshop we will explore some of these less well-known discoveries alongside some substantial pieces by Byrd – lots of wonderful music! \n \n  \nThe Tutor – Sally Dunkley has enjoyed a long career as a professional consort singer\, as a student in the Clerkes of Oxenford\, then with the Sixteen from its very first concert\, and the Tallis Scholars too. She started making performing editions when few were readily available; some are now published by Oxford University Press (series ‘Musica Dei donum’) and the Church Music Society. She is delighted to share her experience through workshops\, summer schools and talks. \nThe Venue: Knowle Village Hall\, St John’s Close\, Knowle\, B93 0NH  https://knowlevillagehall.co.uk/ \nThe Hall is 1.5 miles away from the M42 junction 5 and approximately 3.5 miles to the east of Solihull Centre. Nearby bus stops provide frequent transport links from Solihull and Dorridge stations. \nParking is pretty good around the Village Hall\, as it is surrounded on three sides by public car parks owned by Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council and at the front of the building on the forecourt there is room for four or five cars. The first two hours in the public car parks are free but for longer stays there is a charge. \nWorkshop Organiser: Marion Thompson  – 07436 540608 \nBooking is now open – book here
URL:https://memf.org.uk/event/william-byrd-and-his-circle-with-sally-dunkley-on-7th-february-2026/
LOCATION:Knowle Village Hall\, St John’s Close\, Knowle\, Solihull\, B93 0NN\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Voices
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260307T103000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260307T170000
DTSTAMP:20260403T221033
CREATED:20251014T174540Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260218T221535Z
UID:18171-1772879400-1772902800@memf.org.uk
SUMMARY:Schutz: Psalmen Davids workshop with Bill Carslake on 7th March 2026
DESCRIPTION:Come and celebrate one of music’s finest dramatists\, Heinrich Schütz\, in four of his great psalm settings in German. Whether Schütz was writing opera\, oratorio or these ‘Psalmen Davids’\, he prioritised character and intention\, and maintained a musical pacing that was close to life. His freedom in word-setting in German and Latin and his use of everyday speech rhythms were as liberating and far-reaching as in the work of his contemporary\, John Donne. His introduction of thorough-bass/’basso continuo’ created a musical double commentary – a tension between the sung text and its harmonic underlay. Yet he could be stark and ask the big\, bold question. His work transcended religious and national divides\, and his travels between Venice and Dresden brought the latest Italian urgency into Germany’s Lutheran church\, changing it for ever. Welcome to the German Baroque! We will be ‘going big’ with Zion Spricht\, and will also include the joyous Danket dem Herrenn. \nRepertoire: Zion Spricht swv 46\, Ich freue mich swv 122\, Ich danke den Herren swv 111\, Danket dem Herren swv 45 \n  \nThis workshop is for voices and instruments: \nContinuo:  Organ\, Harpsichord\, Theorbo/lute/chitarrone\, Cello/double bass. \nWinds:  Cornetti\, sackbuts\, Bassoons\,  Recorders/flutes\, Trumpets (great for Danket SWV 45\, where Schütz incorporated the court trumpet ensemble\, and for Zion Spricht swv 46\, but not for the other two – so it would be good if the trumpets could sing or play something else in those pieces). \nStrings: Violins\, Viola\, Violone \n \n  \nThe Tutor\, Bill Carslake\, composes music inspired by outdoor fieldwork collaborations. He conducts widely\, and he is passionate about eco sail. He has a lifelong fascination with Renaissance and Baroque choral music. His latest orchestral work\, Carrownagappul (2024) was commissioned for the 25th anniversary of Imperial College Sinfonietta – inspired by fieldwork in Galway\, Ireland in collaboration with photographer Tina Claffey. A Finzi Scholarship orchestral piece\, Mountain Hare (2022) was premiered by Farnborough Symphony Orchestra; and the travel essay Composing with Hares features in the Finzi Trust podcast series. Bill collaborated with poet Helen Mort on The Singing Glacier (2017) inspired by their climbing expedition in East Greenland – which has featured twice on BBC Radio 4. The current fieldwork project is The Sea of Trees\, a sailing voyage to the Faroe Islands to study phytoplankton and sea bird colonies. He is Co-founder of Guild of Ships Ltd – a platform for sailing ship companies that carry passengers and cargo by wind. \n  \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 from Tamworth station\, a mile and a half away\, can be arranged if required – please get in touch with the organiser: Elizabeth Ashby  07892 715401 \nBooking extended to 24th February – click here.\n 
URL:https://memf.org.uk/event/schutz-psalmen-davids-workshop-with-bill-carslake-on-7th-march-2026/
LOCATION:Coton Centre\, Tamworth\, Church Comberford Road\, Tamworth\, B79 9AA\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:A440,brass,Continuo,Loud wind,Recorders,Strings,Voices
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260418T103000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260418T170000
DTSTAMP:20260403T221033
CREATED:20260125T153949Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260223T212419Z
UID:19058-1776508200-1776531600@memf.org.uk
SUMMARY:Composers of the English Reformation 18th April 2026 CANCELLED
DESCRIPTION:Unfortunately we have had to cancel this workshop.
URL:https://memf.org.uk/event/composers-of-the-english-reformation/
CATEGORIES:Voices
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260502T103000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260502T170000
DTSTAMP:20260403T221033
CREATED:20251014T175251Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260302T124122Z
UID:18174-1777717800-1777741200@memf.org.uk
SUMMARY:!A la Batalla! with Greg Skidmore and Sue Addison on 2nd May 2026
DESCRIPTION:The Music for this workshop will comprise Sections from Victoria Missa Pro Victoria and Guerrero’s Missa de la Batalla Escoutez and Spanish Music reflecting battle songs. Singers and instrumentalists will rehearse separately in the morning and together in the afternoon\, in preparation for a sing/play through at the end of the day. \n10.00                  Registration and drinks \n10.30                  Morning session with short break \n1.15                     Lunch (bring your own) \n2.00                   Afternoon session \n4.00 (approx)  Tea \n4.30                    Sing/playthrough \n5.00                    Finish \nThe Tutors\nBorn in Canada\, Greg Skidmore arrived in England as an undergraduate at Royal Holloway College\, University of London. After graduating with First Class Honours in Music\, his post-graduate Choral Scholarship at Wells Cathedral led him to Lay Clerkships at Gloucester Cathedral and Christ Church Cathedral in Oxford. He now lives in London and pursues a varied career as a consort\, choral\, and solo oratorio singer alongside his growing commitments as a conductor and workshop leader. \nGreg is one of the UK’s leading consort and choral singers\, having appeared with The Tallis Scholars\, The Sixteen\, The Cardinall’s Musick\, I Fagiolini\, Tenebrae and The Gabrieli Consort \nMore recently he was appointed Musical Director of The Lacock Scholars and has performed throughout the UK with them\, including ongoing engagements at Westminster Abbey. \nHe has given workshops and masterclasses in the UK\, France\, Canada\, New Zealand\, and Australia in association with The Sixteen\, I Fagiolini\, and on his own. \nSue Addison is recognised as one of the world’s leading exponents of historic trombones. She currently plays principal trombone with The Orchestra of the Eighteenth Century\, Academy of Ancient Music\, The Sixteen and the Gabrieli Consort. Her experience ranges from being a full time member of the City of Birmingham Orchestra under the direction of Sir Simon Rattle\, to recording for the BBC Comedy ‘The Two Ronnies’. She is a founder member of His Majestys Sagbutts & Cornetts and of The Orchestra of The Age of Enlightenment. She is currently Professor of Baroque trombone at the Royal College of Music\, Birmingham Conservatoire\, Royal Northern College\, and Trinity Laban. \nVenue\nSwallowbeck Methodist Church\, 472 Newark Rd\, Lincoln LN6 8RZ \nThe church has a small car park only at the front so if anyone has mobility problems let me know and I will keep a space for you. \nOtherwise the dentist next door has a car park at the back of the building. Drive in and you will see the signs directing you to the car park. Parking well should allow at least 20 cars to park in there. They do have a surgery on that day so there may be people walking from the car park. There is also street parking opposite. \nThe railway and bus station hub is a good walk away from the venue but it is on a bus route. \n  \nWorkshop Organiser is Wendy Leonard  07540 560656 \nBook by 18th April here
URL:https://memf.org.uk/event/workshop-for-voices-with-greg-skidmore-in-lincoln-on-2nd-may-2026/
LOCATION:Swallowbeck Methodist Church\, Lincoln
CATEGORIES:A440,brass,Loud wind,Recorders,Strings,Voices
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260620T103000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260620T163000
DTSTAMP:20260403T221033
CREATED:20250930T173701Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260329T151355Z
UID:18016-1781951400-1781973000@memf.org.uk
SUMMARY:The Colossal Baroque with Dr Stephen Bullamore on Sat 20th June 2026
DESCRIPTION:Experience the wonder of the Colossal Baroque in the magnificent church of St Mary Magdalene\, Newark. This workshop day will be led by Dr Stephen Bullamore\, Director of Music\, Newark Parish Church. We will be exploring poly-choral works (with instruments) by Schütz\, Biber and Benevoli\, concluding with the famous In ecclesiis by Giovanni Gabrieli. These works require huge forces\, of up to 32 parts. \nThe workshop is for voices and instruments at A=440 \nContinuo:  Organ\, Harpsichord\, Theorbo/lute/chitarrone (several players welcome)\nWinds:  Cornetti\, Sackbuts\, Curtals\, Recorders/flutes\, and appropriate period instruments.\nStrings: Violins\, Violas\, Violone\, Viols\nAlso trumpets and timpani for Biber \nWorking with the recently restored building\, we will be able to spatially separate the groups of singers and instrumentalists creating a rarely-experienced soundscape.\nMusic to be performed will be: \n\nSaul\, Saul\, was verfolgst du mich? Heinrich Schütz (Dresden) \nDixit Dominus a 25 Orazio Benevoli (Rome)\nVesperae a 32 (extracts) Heinrich Biber (Salzburg)\nIn Ecclesiis – Giovanni Gabrieli (Venice)\n\nThe Tutor\, Dr Stephen Bullamore is Director of Music (Master of the Song School) at St Mary Magdalene church\, Newark. Here he oversees one of the last remaining Parish Church Choral Foundation\, made possible by the bequest of Thomas Magnus in the 1530s. He previously held posts at Guildford and Lincoln Cathedrals and was Director of Music at Waltham Abbey for the best part of a decade.\nFor ten years Stephen was Musical Director of the North Herts Guild of Singers. He is Musical Director of the Leicester Philharmonic Choir and of Bingham & District Choral Society; he previously was Musical Director of Barnet Choral Society. Between these groups he has conducted much of the choral repertoire\, including Bach’s major works\, several Handel oratorios\, Ethel Smyth’s monumental Mass in D and Elgar’s three concert length choral works.\nHe holds a doctorate in Editorial Musicology (“The Sacred music of John Weldon\, 1676-1736”) and has contributed to Grove Online. In recent years he has been drawn to crafting arrangements of pre-existing tunes to suit modern performance demands. \nTimetable for the Day \n10 am:           Registration and drinks\n10.30am;       Morning Session with a short break\n12.45 pm:      Lunch (bring your own)\n1.45 pm:        Afternoon session\n2.55 approx   Tea break\n4.30:              Finish – . Church closes at 5pm \nVenue:  St Mary Magdalene Church\, Church Walk\, Newark\, Nottinghamshire\, NG24 1JS    https://www.stmnewark.org\nThe church is located in the centre of this historic town with cafes and market adjoining. We have the use of this magnificent and recently restored medieval church\, in particular the nave and extended crossing. The Magnus Room\, at the west end\, will be available for personal belongings and space for lunch and breaks. The church will be open to visitors during the day. \nThere is no on-site parking but there is a facility to ‘drop off’ instruments. \nPublic parking nearby (prices may not be accurate) \n\nSt Marks Place\, Lombard Street\, NG24 1XP – NCP Multi-storey\, can be pre-booked\, £8 for the day. Closest.\nLondon Road / Balderton Gate Car Park NG24 1TN\nLovers Lane Car Park\, 12 Lovers Lane NG24 1JD Height restriction 7ft 6Riverside\nArena Outer Town Car Park( off the A46)\, 22 Great North Road NG24 1BN. Height restriction 7ft 6. A scenic 10 min walk over the river\, past the castle into the town centre. £3.70\n\n  \nWorkshop Organisers Jill Davies daviesmusic@btinternet.com  07721 317030  and John Lock. \nBooking is now open\, click here to book.\n 
URL:https://memf.org.uk/event/the-colossal-baroque-with-dr-stephen-bullamore-on-sat-20th-june-2026/
LOCATION:St Mary Magdalene Church\, Newark-on-Trent
CATEGORIES:A440,brass,Continuo,Loud wind,Recorders,Strings,Voices
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260912T103000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260912T170000
DTSTAMP:20260403T221033
CREATED:20260329T152547Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260329T152745Z
UID:19549-1789209000-1789232400@memf.org.uk
SUMMARY:Workshop for voices and instruments at A440 with Mark Wilson on 12th September
DESCRIPTION:Details to follow. Venue Stafford \nBooking will open in August.
URL:https://memf.org.uk/event/workshop-for-voices-and-instruments-at-a440-with-mark-wilson-on-12th-september/
CATEGORIES:A440,brass,Continuo,Loud wind,Recorders,Strings,Voices
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