Here for your convenience you can find a list of events in our region not organised by MEMF which may be of interest to you. Whilst we have made every effort to be accurate, we suggest that you check details on the websites or phone numbers provided.
If you are aware of an event which is not listed here, please contact the Newsletter Editor
You might like to also visit the brilliant Early Music Website at https://earlymusicdiary.org.uk where you will find nationwide events organized into categories to assist your search.
And the Continuo Foundation’s new digital hub – a comprehensive concert finder of early music events (by region) across the UK – is at https://www.continuoconnect
Diary of Events in the Midlands
# Denotes an online event
Recent additions in Red
NOVEMBER
Mon 02: Dowland’s Adieu – lunchtime recital by Ayres and Graces at St Anne’s Church, Whitcross Street, Derby, DE1 3NB
Weds 04: An Ancient Academy – commemorating the original Academy of Ancient Music(1726-1802) with Northwick Baroque. 1pm at St Mary’s Church, Ross-on-Wye : https://rossparishes.uk/lunchtime-concerts/ free with retiring collection.
Weds 04: Prelude to Christmas: a concert of Winter and Adventure music with a nod towards Christmas – Ayres and Graces. 7pm in the 1620’s House, Donington le Heath, Leicestershire, LE67 2FW
Fri 06: The Lute music of John Dowland and JS Bach – Lachrimae and Samrat Majumder (classical guitar). 1-1.50 pm in the Elgar Concert Hall, Bramall, Birmingham University. Free. https://barber.org.uk
Sat 07: NEEMF Workshop for Singers with Alex Woodrow in Newcastle upon Tyne.
Tues 10: Cupid’s Ground Bass: music by Cavalli, Kapsberger, Strozzi, Monteverdi & more – Bellot Ensemble (Baroque strings). 7.30 in St Mary’s Church, Warwick. 2nd of 5 early music concerts (package available). Booking details at https://www.leamingtonmusic.org
Weds 12–14: London International Festival of Early Music (LIFEM) at Blackheath Halls, London includes many instrument & music exhibitors.
Concerts include Ensemble Inventio, Nigel North (lute), Phantasm & Elizabeth Kenny, Eun Sol Lee (recorders), Eric Bosgraaf & Baltic Baroque, Festival Evensong and young ensemble competition. https://lifem.org/
Fri 13: Gluck’s Orpheus & Eurydice – English Touring Opera. 7.30 in Malvern Festival Theatre, Malvern. Pre- show talk at 6.30. https://englishtouringopera.org.uk
Sat 14: Ariadne (Elena Langer) and Dido & Aeneas (Purcell) – English Touring Opera. 7.30 in Malvern Festival Theatre, Malvern. Pre- show talk at 6.30. https://englishtouringopera.org.uk
Sat 14: MEMF workshop for voices and instruments with Philip Thorby in Solihull.
Sat 14: Words Apart: Motets by Bach and Sandström – Ex Cathedra. 7pm in St Francis Church, Bournville, Birmingham. www.excathedra.co.uk
Sat 14: Ariadne (Elena Langer) & Dido and Aeneas (Purcell) – English Touring Opera. 7.30 in Malvern Festival Theatre, Malvern. Pre-show talk at 6.30. https://englishtouringopera.org.uk
Sat 14: EMFS Workshop for soft instruments with Alison Kinder in Edinburgh.
Weds 19: An Ancient Academy – commemorating the original Academy of Ancient Music (1726-1802) with Northwick Baroque. 12.30 at Christ Church, Malvern. https://www.facebook.com/northwickearlymusic Free with retiring collection.
Sat 21: Voices and Strings: music for choir and cello: Bach, Monteverdi and D.Scarlatti – The Derwent Singers. 7.30 in St Matthew’s Church, Darley Abbey, Derby. https://www.derwentsingers.org.uk/
Sat 21 : NWEMF Workshop for voices and instruments with Peter Syrus in Liverpool.
Sat 21 : SWEMF Workshop for voices and instruments with Huw Morgan in Yatton, SW of Bristol.
Sat 21 : SEMF Workshop for voices and instruments with Alison Kinder in Chichester
Thurs 26: Midwinter Merriment – K’antu Ensemble. Concert with mulled wine 7.30 – 8.30 in Selly Manor, Bournville. Doors open 7pm with time to explore Selly Manor Museum before and after the concert until 9pm. https://www.kantu-ensemble.co.uk
Sat 28: EEMF workshop for voices with David Allinson in Cambridge. https://www.eemf.org.uk
Fri 20: RBC Baroque Orchestra play Handel, Muffat, Scarlatti and Vivaldi. 6pm in the Recital Hall, Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. www.bcu.ac.uk
Sat 28: Vivaldi Gloria and Puccini Messa di Gloria – Kidderminster Choral Society. 7.30 in Kidderminster Town Hall. https://www.kidderminsterchoralsociety.co.uk
Sat 28: NEEMF Workshop for voices and instruments with David Hatcher
Sun 29: Advent Candlelight Concert: Bach and his close circle – Fiori Musicali choir + baroque oboe and trumpet. 4.30 in Holy Cross Church, Pattishall, Towcester. https://fiori-musicali.com
DECEMBER
Tues 01: Bach’s Christmas Oratorio (part) – Armonico. 7.30at Holy Trinity Church, Leamington Spa. Tickets from www.armonico.org.uk
Weds 02: Christmas Music by Candlelight – Ex Cathedra. 7pm in St John’s Church, Hagley www.excathedra.co.uk
Fri 04: Christmas Music by Candlelight – Ex Cathedra. 7.15 pm in Lichfield Cathedral www.excathedra.co.uk
Fri 04: Handel’s Messiah – City of Birmingham Choir. 7pm in Symphony Hall, Birmingham. https://www.citychoir.org.uk
Fri 04 – Sun 13: York Early Music Christmas Festival includes workshops for voices on Bach Motets and one for voices, viols and winds, and concerts by the Yorkshire Bach Choir singing Bach’s Mass in B minor, the Bellot Ensemble, Echo vocal Ensemble, Spiritato, Ex Corde and the York Waits and others. https://ncem.co.uk/yemcf/
Sat 05: MEMF Workshop for voices and instruments with Ali Kinder in Dorridge with free buffet lunch.
Sat 05: J S Bach Christmas Oratorio, Chilcott & carols – Nottingham Bach Choir. 3pm in St Mary’s Church, Lace Market, Nottingham. https://nottinghambachchoir.uk
Sat 05: Music for Advent by Candlelight: music from the Renaissance to present day – Luminatus vocal ensemble. 5pm at St John the Baptist, Billesdon, Leicester LE7 9AE. https://luminatus.co.uk
Sat 05: Handel’s Messiah (complete) – Nottingham Harmonic Choir. 7pm in the Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham. www.nottinghamharmonic.org.uk
Sun 06: Music (and readings) for Advent by Candlelight Tallis to Britten – Sinfonia Chorale. 6-7.15 in St Paul’s Church, Daybrook, Nottingham. https://www.sinfoniachorale.uk
Mon 07: Christmas Music by Candlelight – Ex Cathedra. 7pm in St James the Greater, Leicester www.excathedra.co.uk
Tues 08: Christmas Music by Candlelight – Ex Cathedra. 7pm in St Chad’s Church, Shrewsbury www.excathedra.co.uk
Tues 08: Handel’s Messiah – Southwell Minster Chorale, students and the Musical & Amicable Society. 7-10pm in Southwell Minster. https://www.amicables.co.uk
Thurs 10: Christmas Music by Candlelight – Ex Cathedra. 7pm in St Peter’s Church, Wolverhampton www.excathedra.co.uk
Sat 12: Come and Sing Messiah workshop led by Karen Silverwood and Seb Carrington (of Castle Baroque Players).14.00 – 21.30at Sutton Elms Baptist Church, Broughton Astley. www.castlebaroqueplayers.co.uk/tickets
Sat 12: Handel’s Messiah – Coventry Cathedral Chorus. 7pm in Coventry Cathedral. Come and sing includes 4 rehearsals beforehand. https://www.coventrycathedralchorus.com
Sat 12: Handel’s Messiah – Worcester Festival Choral Society with the Meridian Sinfonia. 7.30 in Worcester Cathedral . https://www.wfcs.online
Sun 13: TVEMF Christmas Workshop for voices and instruments with Philip Thorby
Tues 15: Carols by Candlelight – Armonico. 7.30 in St Mary’s Church, Warwick. Tickets from www.armonico.org.uk
Weds 16: Handel’s Messiah – Warwick & Kenilworth Choral Society. 7.30 in St Nicholas Church, Abby Fields, Kenilworth.
Thurs 17: Christmas Music by Candlelight – Ex Cathedra. 7pm in Coventry Cathedral www.excathedra.co.uk
Fri 18: Christmas Music by Candlelight – Ex Cathedra. 7pm in the Great Hall, Birmingham University www.excathedra.co.uk
Sat 19 + Mon 21 +Tues 22: Christmas Music by Candlelight – Ex Cathedra. 7pm in St Paul’s Church, Birmingham www.excathedra.co.uk
Sat 19: Medieval (and traditional) Carols by Candlelight – Elderwood (two voices, harp, fiddle and percussion). 7- 9 in Thurgarton Priory, Nottingham.
Sat 19: Seasonal Carols by Candlelight – Armonico. 7.30 in St Mary’s Church, Warwick. Tickets from www.armonico.org.uk
Sat 19: EMFS Workshop for voices with Andrew Kirkman in Edinburgh
Sun 20: Hey for Christmas – C17th ballads, broadsides, dances and carols -Siglo de Oro vocal ensemble with Spinacino Consort.3.30 at the Old Palace, Worcester. https://www.earlymusicworcs.org
Mon 21: Carols by Candlelight – Armonico with the Stratford Girl’s Chamber Choir. 7.30 in Holy Trinity Church, Stratford-upon-Avon. Tickets from www.armonico.org.uk
Mon 21: Veni Emmanuel: music for Advent from Renaissance onward – Gesualdo Six. 7.30 in St James the Greater Church, Leicester. https://www.thegesualdosix.co.uk
Tues 22: Gaudete: songs, tunes and carols from Yuletide Past – Green Matthews. 7.30 in the Bridge House Theatre, Warwick School. https://www.bridgehousetheatre.co.uk
Tues 22: Mr Handel’s Messiah – Fiori Musicali choir and orchestra and soloists. 6 – 8.45 in Northampton Cathedral. https://fiori-musicali.com
Tues 22: Carols by Candlelight – Armonico. 7.30 in Great Malvern Priory. Tickets from www.armonico.org.uk
Weds 23: Midwinter Revels: musicfrom Yuletides past– Green Matthews. 7.30 in the Y Theatre, Leicester. https://www.greenmatthews.co.uk
JANUARY
Sat 09: Vivaldi’s Pieta: orchestral and vocal music by Vivaldi, Corelli and Gasparini – Castle Baroque Players. 7.30 at St Michael’s Church, Stoney Stanton, btw Leicester and Coventry. www.castlebaroqueplayers.co.uk/tickets
Tues 12: The Grand Tour – Burney at 300 (C18th music historian) – Ex Cathedra Scholars. 7.30 in St Mary’s Church Warwick. https://excathedra.co.uk/
Sat 16 MEMF workshop for voices and instruments with Emily White near Worcester
Sat 16: NEEMF Voices and Viols Workshop with Elizabeth Dodd in Northallerton
Fri 22: Venetian Vespers Ex Cathedra. 1pm in the Elgar Concert Hall, Birmingham University. Free & unticketed. https://excathedra.co.uk/
Fri 22: New Year Concert – Fiori Musicali. 6.30 in Northampton Museum and Art Gallery. https://fiori-musicali.com
Sat 23: Byrd Mass for 5 voices – Gesualdo Six. 7pm in Lincoln Cathedral. https://www.thegesualdosix.co.uk
Sat 13: EEMF Epiphany Party with Philip Thorby in Beccles
Tues 26: Supersize Polyphony 3 – Venetian Blinders – Armonico. 7pm in Coventry Cathedral. www.armonico.org.uk
Weds 27: The Forgotten Scarlatti – Armonico. 7.30 in Great Malvern Priory, Malvern. www.armonico.org.uk
Thurs 28: The Forgotten Scarlatti – Armonico. 7.30 in St Mary’s Church, Warwick. www.armonico.org.uk
FEBRUARY
02 Feb: We’re Not Dead Yet 40thAnniversary Programme – I Fagiolini. 7.30 in St Mary’s Church, Warwick. https://www.ifagiolini.com
Sat 13: Sing Cherubini Requiem in C minor with Ex Cathedra. 10am – 4pm in the CBSO Centre, Berkley Street, Birmingham. Led by conductor-in-waiting James Burton. https://excathedra.co.uk/
Sat 13: NEEMF Workshop for voices and instruments with Philip Redfern in Newcastle upon Tyne.
Sun 14: Bellot Ensemble play C17th music on period instruments. 3.30 in the Old Palace, Worcester. https://www.earlymusicworcs.org
Sat 20: MEMF workshop for voices with Will Dawes and Katie Bank in Solihull.
Sat 27: NWEMF 50th Anniversary Weekend Workshop for voices and instruments with David Allinson and Gawain Glenton at NCEM, York. May be fully booked.
MARCH
Tues 02: Fiddlers Three: music from Charles II’s “Private Musick” – Musical and Amicable Society. 7.30 in St Mary’s Church, Warwick.
Sat 06: SEMF Workshop for voices and instruments with Bill Lyons in Headcorn, Kent.
Sat 13: BMEMF Workshop for instruments with Lizzie Gutteridge in Ludlow
Sat 13: NWEMF Workshop for instruments ‘Playing for Dance’ with Peter Barnard and Kate Billmore in Chester.
Thurs 18: Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas – Armonico. &.30 in St Mary’s Church, Warwick. www.armonico.org.uk
Sat 20: Handel: Israel in Egypt – Nottingham Bach Choir. 3pm in St Mary’s Church, Lace Market, Nottingham. https://nottinghambachchoir.uk
Sat 20: Handel:Israel in Egypt – Royal Leamington Spa Bach Choir. 7.30 in All Saints Church, Priory Terrace, Royal Leamington Spa. https://rlsbc.org
Sat 20: Baroque Splendour – Solihull Choral Society with the Musical and Amicable Society. 7.30 in Solihull School Chapel. www.solihullchoral.org.uk
Fri 26: Bach’s St Matthew Passion – Ex Cathedra. 2 – 5.40 pm in Symphony Hall, Birmingham. https://bmusic.co.uk
Fri 26: Bach’s St Matthew Passion – Armonico. 3pm in Festival Theatre, Malvern Theatres. www.armonico.org.uk
#Online Music and Talks
Continuo Connect is the Continuo Foundation‘s digital initiative, and along with early music concert listings round the country and artist profiles, it has editorial features on early music and musicians. On their website, click on Features for interviews, playlists and insightful essays and sign up for the twice monthly Newsletter
A reminder about Jamulus, first set up during Covid Lockdown for singing and playing together over the internet. A small group still sing regularly on line using Jamulus software which synchronises the delay times and where one can balance the volumes of all the others singing.
They usually meet on Monday and Friday evenings and sing Renaissance sacred and secular music from their own Drive or from CPDL and sing one to a part selecting music to suit their voices at the time. Reasonable sight reading ability and a good internet connection are essential. At present they are SSATTB so another Alto and Bass would be particularly welcome. If you are interested please contact Keith Hitchcock: keith.hitchcock1@gmail.com or ring 0121 355 8247
There is more about Jamulus, including links to further information, on the early music online page. Click here and scroll down to Technology.
Early Music Sources – a reminder of the wonderful series of illustrated talks by Elam Rotem, the latest being about Early Basso Continuo, to be found on YouTube at https://www.earlymusicsources.com/youtube
Sands Film studio is a Theatre, Cinema and Music Room. They developed live streaming during the Pandemic and have continued with a mixture of live and online concerts, many of them Early Music, films and theatre. All performances are free, but donations are requested. Sign up to their mailing list at https://www.sandsfilms.co.uk/cinema-club.html
The Following have many videos on YouTube:
Stile Antico – https://www.youtube.com/user/stileantico
Armonico Consort https://ondemand.armonico.org.uk
The Gesualdo Six https://www.thegesualdosix.co.uk/videos/
I Fagiolini https://www.youtube.com/c/IFagiolini/videos
Fretwork Viol Consort https://www.fretwork.co.uk/audio-video
The Academy of Ancient Music https://aam.co.uk/watch/
Wigmore Hall has an archive of live streamed concerts at https://wigmore-hall.org.uk/watch-listen/forthcoming-live-streams Occasionally new ones appear on a Monday morning if you’re signed up. Free but donations requested.
City Lit offers an extensive programme of online music history and music appreciation courses with a focus on Western classical music, Folk, Jazz, Rock and Pop, also many singing courses, There are new topics each year, some of them Early Music: https://www.citylit.ac.uk
Choral Chihuahua regular new episodes since the last Newsletter of chats between Robert Hollingworth and Eamonn Dougan and recently Nicholas Mulroy, about an hour long. Find the latest (and previous) episodes at https://play.acast.com/s/choral-chihuahua. Free but donations requested.