EarlyMusicNews.Org

" The British Clavichord Society encourages the understanding and enjoyment of the clavichord. It promotes recitals, workshops and lectures o­n the history, construction and repertoire of the instrument. Our Newsletter, published three times a year, offers interesting and informative articles, reviews of recitals, conferences, books and recordings, and news of events in Britain and other European countries. Members also have the option to subscribe through the BCS to the journal Clavichord International, published twice yearly by the Dutch Clavichord Society; and they receive a discount o­n tickets for our events and a free copy of our newly republished International Clavichord Directory. We are preparing a series of publications (including clavichord music and a clavichord tutor) and already have a well-stocked mail-order shop for books, music and CDs - this is open to non-members too. " ...

Added on: Nov 11, 2005 | Hits: 405

"The British Harpsichord Society promotes the awareness, enjoyment, study, performance and ownership of harpsichords and related plucked keyboard instruments in Britain. Our aim is to create more public awareness and get more people enjoying and playing the harpsichord. " See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Nov 11, 2005 | Hits: 472

"It is due to the vision of its founder, the Prince of Wales, later King Edward VII, that the Royal College of Music owns a celebrated instrument collection as well as manuscripts, rare printed music and portraits of musicians. As he stated in his inaugural speech on 28 February 1882: ‘A school giving the best instruction … is but a branch of what I desire to found. I wish to establish an institution having a wider basis and a more extended influence than any existing school or college of music in this country ... It will be to England what the Berlin Conservatoire is to Germany, what the Paris Conservatoire is to France, or the Vienna Conservatoire to Austria–the recognised centre and head of the musical world.’ " ...

Added on: Feb 16, 2006 | Hits: 339

"Since 1992 the Early Music Forum of Scotland has been bringing together players, singers, dancers, makers and listeners from all over Scotland. It runs and sponsors courses and playing days for its members, run by leading professionals.

EMFS members receive an annual membership list, with details of each member's interests, and lists of names classified by activities. This is a useful way of making contact with other people of similar interests. In addition, the membership secretary and other members of the committee are always delighted to help members make useful contacts.

EMFS members receive a regular newsletter with details of early music events in Scotland, participatory events elsewhere, regular reviews of early music CDs and occasional articles.

Each year EMFS organises a Museum Weekend, two days of continuous music-making by early music groups from all over Scotland. Most often held in the National Museum of Scotland, but also on occasion in the Burrell Collection in Glasgow, it gives the general public a chance to sample a wide variety of early music and gives the players a chance to meet fellow enthusiasts.

EMFS is also part of the network of Early Music Fora which covers the whole of the British Isles. Members of EMFS can participate in the activities of the other Fora and advertise in their Newsletters, normally at reduced rates. " See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 08, 2008 | Hits: 695

"The Early Music Network is an Arts Council funded organisation whose purpose is to promote the performance of early music within the UK. It exists to bring about more professional historically informed performances of early music than would otherwise take place, and to develop a wider audience for such music. The Network also creates opportunities for outstanding young ensembles. " ...

Added on: Aug 17, 2007 | Hits: 370

"Early Music West Midlands is a consortium of promoters and performers committed to supporting and advocating medieval, baroque and early classical music, particularly through historically authentic performance.

EMWM produces a regular diary of events with details of performances and workshops throughout the region. We also offer advice and support to local music promoters and work to increase audiences for early music, through our mailing list promotions, and presenting performances at events such as ArtsFest in Birmingham. We are also working on education projects to introduce children and young people to early music. " ...

Added on: Aug 22, 2007 | Hits: 353

"The Eastern Early Music Forum organises Early Music workshops in East Anglia. Anyone is welcome to join; the annual subscription is £6 or £9 for families. Members receive a quarterly newsletter and reduced admission fees for Forum events, and those of other regional fora in the United Kingdom. " See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 08, 2008 | Hits: 502

"The Society was formed in October 1946 for the publication of original research into the history, construction, development and use of musical instruments. Its name commemorates the pioneer work of Canon Francis W. Galpin (1858-1945) who had spent a lifetime in the practical study of old instruments, in collecting them and recording their history.

The Founder Members, whose number shall at no time be added to or taken away from, were Anthony C. Baines, Philip A.T. Bate, Robert Donington, Hugh Gough, Eric Halfpenny, Edgar Hunt, E. Marshall Johnson, Lyndesay G. Langwill, R. Morley-Pegge, F. Geoffrey Rendall and Maurice Vincent.

The first President of the Society was Professor J.A. Westrup, with the following as Vice-Presidents: Mrs Arnold Dolmetsch, Dr Rosamund E.M. Harding, Walter F.H. Blandford, Adam Carse and Christopher J. Galpin.

While the initial focus was on European instruments, the need to encompass `musical instruments of all kinds was soon recognised. The Galpin Society has succeeded over the years in catering for an ever-widening range of interests within the fold of organology, as well as stimulating inter-disciplinary collaboration and the fruitful exchange of ideas. Moreover, the geographical coverage of the Society's membership list has kept on spreading: no fewer than thirty-nine countries are now represented. " See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 10, 2008 | Hits: 323

" ... IBS membership includes musicologists, instrument makers and performers. The Society assembles and disseminates information, and organises events designed to bring the baryton to a wider audience.

The Society has organised three international conferences, held in London and Austria. In 1998, they organised a series of concerts and a conference at the palaces of Eisenstadt and Esterhàza, using the very rooms in which Haydn would have heard his baryton music performed by Prince Nicholas Esterhàzy. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 16, 2008 | Hits: 426

“The International Shakespeare Association (ISA) offers an opportunity for individuals and institutions to join together to further the knowledge of Shakespeare throughout the world. Its central commitments, outlined in its constitution, are to link the work of various Shakespeare associations and societies and to advise on the foundation and development of new associations; to advise on the initiation and planning of the World Shakespeare Congresses; to support an information centre, covering research, publication, translation, and performance; to circulate a diary of future performances, conferences and graduate courses; to aid travel in the interests of Shakespeare scholarship and performance and to coordinate and support requests for finance from internationally cooperative projects.”

Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Jul 17, 2011 | Hits: 260

“We come together to discuss the life, times and works of the author, to visit places important in her life; sometimes to dress in Regency finery, and to perform her music and dances! We meet or go on expeditions every couple of months, the meetings normally in North Oxford.

The Austen family had links to the city and University of Oxford: we are engaging in research to find out more about Jane's schooling here, and the family's association with Brasenose and St John's College. The group was founded in October 2009 as Oxford's first and only Jane Austen Society for many decades (so far as we have been able to find out!).

We also have strong interest in the music of the period, and the historical aspects of domestic performance: Jane pulled together a large corpus of contemporary and traditional works, adding her own embellishments and arrangements for performing them at home.”

Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Sep 07, 2011 | Hits: 259

"THE LUTE SOCIETY, founded in 1956, exists to promote the lute and its music. Even if you can't make it to our meetings and recitals in London, joining the Lute Society is an excellent way of building up your music library, and of keeping in touch with news in the Lute world. We are happy to retail our publications to non-members. The Society currently has around 730 members (2006, May). " See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 08, 2008 | Hits: 341

"Midlands Early Music Forum is an organisation which exists to promote all aspects of early music in the Midlands of England. It is one of a number of regional fora, which between them cover most areas of the UK. Each forum was set up by a group of enthusiasts, and each has its own aims and aspirations.

MEMF is an open forum. It brings together amateur and professional musicians, singers and dancers, researchers, teachers and pupils, instrument makers, costumiers, and enthusiasts.

Added on: Aug 22, 2007 | Hits: 540

"Welcome to the award-winning National Centre for Early Music - a centre of excellence for music making of all kinds - and an established conference and recording venue.

Image of the National Centre for Early Music Interior: Click to ZoomThe National Centre for Early Music, situated in St Margaret’s Church York, is the home of the internationally renowned York Early Music Festival and the Beverley and East Riding Early Music Festival. The Centre also attracts some of the world’s finest artists in the fields of jazz, folk and world music.

The National Centre for Early Music is a high-tech, modern facility based within an historical setting. It runs a year-round community and education programme and offers first-class conference and recording facilities. " (See site for various programs such as Festivals; concert series etc. ... ed.)

Added on: Aug 19, 2007 | Hits: 238

" The National Early Music Association of the UK has existed since 1981 to bring together all concerned with early music and to forge links with other early music organisations in the UK and around the world. NEMA also acts to represent musicians in the early music field to outside bodies, when required. " This site has quite an extensive "Links" page. See website for more details. (ed.)

Added on: Aug 17, 2007 | Hits: 432

"NEEMF is an association of people who enjoy early music (medieval, renaissance, baroque and early classical). If you like it too, we would be delighted if you became a member, especially if you live in our area - Yorkshire, Humberside, Durham and Northumberland. " ...

Added on: Aug 22, 2007 | Hits: 435

"NWEMF was founded in 1977 and its membership is drawn from amateur and professional musicians, most of whom live in the North West of England.

Our aim is to promote interest in the study and informed performance of early music, especially Renaissance and Baroque. " See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 08, 2008 | Hits: 484

“The Society exists principally to get Scottish-based lute and early guitar players together to play to and with each other. All standards from complete beginner to professional will be encouraged to take part. This is a ‘safe place’ to try out that new piece you have been working on, ask questions, share info, etc.

Future meetings will include presentations, workshops and concerts. But the main aim is to get players together.

We meet at St Cecilia’s Hall, Edinburgh, itself a wonderful museum dedicated to lutes, guitars and keyboards.“

Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Oct 03, 2011 | Hits: 250

"Southern Early Music Forum (SEMF) exists to further the interests of early music in the area of Hampshire, Surrey, West Sussex, the Isle of Wight, East Sussex and Kent. " See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 08, 2008 | Hits: 472

"TVEMF exists to encourage the singing and playing of early music in the London to Oxford area and currently has over 300 members. TVEMF organises early music workshops and events, and publishes TAMESIS, a monthly newsletter with articles and details of early music courses, concerts and workshops." See website for more info. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 08, 2008 | Hits: 402

"The Andreas Scholl Society was founded on 21 January 2000 by music lovers with a common love of the countertenor voice and repertoire and a particular interest in the work of the German countertenor Andreas Scholl. It is our great pleasure to share information about Andreas Scholl's work and to introduce others to the artistry of this great musician. It is our longer term hope that this website will provide a definitive information resource on Andreas Scholl. We do not purport to represent Andreas Scholl officially. We have a mailing list on which we post alerts about Andreas Scholl's upcoming performances, recordings, reviews, radio and TV broadcasts. The information we share is helping to build our website into a complete archive of Andreas Scholl's work." ...

Added on: Aug 03, 2007 | Hits: 422

“The Gregorian Association was founded in 1870 (as The London Gregorian Choral Association) to promote the singing of Gregorian Chant to English texts, and to overcome the prejudice which existed against doing so. This purpose is still part of the work of the Association, but more recently its policy has increased in scope, so that the it is now fully oecumenical, and promotes and uses the chant in Latin as well as Modern English and that of the Book of Common Prayer. The Association is now 130 years old; during this time it has sung and taught the chant as a living witness to the enduring value and beauty of the "true music of the church". Directors of Music have included Sir John Stainer, Francis Burgess, Arthur Clarke and Professor David Hiley.

The chant is music of great variety, from simple recitation to complex, melismatic melodies requiring the vocal skills of trained cantors. Much of the chant repertory continues to be sung by monastic communities, who have no special musical training, and is easily within the capabilities of parish choirs today, especially when limited numbers preclude singing in harmony. It is functional music, designed to serve the needs of the Church's liturgy; it is also widely regarded for its 'timeless' character. The Gregorian Association works to educate the public about this vast treasury of song for the enrichment of worship. It is not permanently based anywhere, but rather its members meet in different places throughout the year for a variety of events.

• Study Days for Parish Church Choirs, ending with a service
• Evening Classes in London
• RSCM and other Festivals
• A wide variety of venues, from Cathedral to Country Church
• A Newsletter publishes forthcoming Gregorian Association events, and other events of interest to members”

Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Dec 28, 2011 | Hits: 152

“The Renaissance Society was founded in 1944 to promote the understanding and appreciation of plainchant, Renaissance polyphony and other types of vocal and instrumental music from the period. The founder was Michael Howard who was later to achieve distinction as the Organist and Master of the Choristers at Ely cathedral before holding other prestigious posts in the musical world.

The Renaissance Singers was formed at the same time as the performing arm of the Society, and apart from a period of silence in the 1980s has maintained an impressive schedule of concerts. Many recordings have been made-the last in February 1998. 

The success of the Singers is evidenced by the detailed and fascinating archive dating from July 1944, but it took 55 years for a wider role for the Society to emerge. 

In 1999 Saeculum was launched as a festival of early music and is the first major activity undertaken by the Society other than the running of the Renaissance Singers. The immediate success of Saeculum meant that in 2000 the scope was broadened beyond the running of a single annual weekend event and now Saeculum events take place throughout the year. They include cultural events beyond the staging concerts and include workshops for musicians and the appreciation of wine and art. …”

Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 28, 2012 | Hits: 184

“The Workshop Series - classical music concerts in Lewes, East Sussex, UK

The Workshop Series is a classical music concert series based at the workshop of harpsichord maker Malcolm Rose in Lewes, East Sussex, UK. Over 20 years the series has built up an enviable reputation for presenting world-class artists in an atmospheric, intimate and friendly setting.“

Added on: Sep 30, 2011 | Hits: 203

“The Thomas Tomkins Forum seeks to pursue interests of all kinds in the music of the English Renaissance and its context. We aim to encourage interest in and enjoyment of Tomkins' music (and the music of a range of other composers) at all levels. We clearly need a Forum dedicated to giving Tomkins the recognition he deserves as one of England's finest composers - and to fostering interest in the English Virginalists generally. Anyone interested in Tomkins, in early music, in keyboard instruments, in choral music, consort music, or in the wider musical and cultural contexts of Renaissance England and its European parallels, is most welcrome to contact us.”

Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Sep 07, 2011 | Hits: 234