Directory: Recently Added Listings 

‘For everyone with an interest in the viol ... We hold 3-4 meetings a year, on viol-related topics.' The Website includes a Section on Concerts, Lectures & other Events: 'Items are taken from Early Music News, Thames Valley Early Music Forum, and from viol consorts and ensembles themselves, with thanks'.

'Held each February in Bath’s stunning period venues, it attracts fine musicians and audiences from across the UK and well beyond. Bach, alongside his friend Handel and Italian contemporary, Vivaldi, made the Baroque period of the 17th and early 18th century an extraordinarily fertile musical period, whose legacy continues to enthral and captivate today.' Held Mid February.

‘Established in 1981 as a night class in military band music ... The band performs concerts at parks, band stands and events through out the year and supports charity events when possible. It welcomes all musicians who think they can make a contribution to performing. We accept all abilities as long as you enjoy yourself. The band's repertoire consists of military band standards, classical numbers, music from the musicals, film music, swing and big band.’

‘Our lunchtime and evening music concerts series, which regularly showcases an impressively international spectrum of musicians, now rightly enjoys a reputation for both its quality and popularity ... The quality of the music making at these events is extremely high and we are proud to be able to offer them for free.  For those who have rarely had the opportunity of going to concerts, these recitals are an excellent introduction to classical music, with varied programmes and instrumental line-ups; for music-lovers the Shaw Library has a wonderful atmosphere, an outstanding Steinway piano, thanks to the generosity of the LSE's Annual Fund, and it allows its attentive audiences to hear chamber music in the sort of space for which the composer wrote the pieces.’

'The Salisbury Gig Guide was started by a group of live music enthusiasts in 2010. It is funded out of our own pockets. We provide a free service to venues and musicians to publish their events. We are not affiliated with any local newspapers, radio stations or other businesses. You may occasionally see gigs listed that aren't local. We generally tend to stick to within 10 miles-ish, but if a local band or artist asks us to list their out-of-town gigs we're more than happy to do so, because they deserve our support whether they are playing locally or not.'

Shrewsbury School Community Choir is 'a friendly, non-auditioning choir aiming to perform a wide range of classical and contemporary choral works to a high standard ... We give at least four concerts each year, including under the Shropshire Charity Concerts banner ... The Choir was formed in 1982 and is now some 170 strong'.

'This exceptional opportunity offers choirs of young voices the chance to sing tailored performances to the individual capabilities of the singers to enthusiastic audiences in amazing London venues. During the Festival each choir performs their repertoire at different venues on two occasions. The venues are specifically chosen to reflect the size, singing style and repertoire of each group and are an integral part of the LNYDP Festival Series.'

'This popular and highly acclaimed course provides an excellent opportunity for experienced players of viols and recorders to work on early music in a chamber setting. Under the guidance of our team of expert tutors, highly regarded as performers and teachers, participants are able to develop their technical and musical skills in an informal, friendly and supportive environment. Many of our participants sing, or maybe play other early instruments, which are very welcome in the evening Tutti sessions and some ensembles. Please note that due to the structure of the course all participants need to be able to play viol or recorder.' Held Early April.

'City of Manchester Opera was originally formed in 1998. Though based in Manchester, we draw our membership from a large area of the north of England. The Company is open to anyone wishing to gain experience of opera and currently we have around thirty singers. Our membership, aged from 17 to 60 plus, comes from a broad variety of backgrounds. Our aim is to encourage as wide a range of people as possible to access opera through our public performances. These include small concerts, larger concerts, semi-staged excerpts, concert versions of operas and full productions ... Our work is performed in original languages and to date has included English, French, German, Italian, Russian and Spanish.'

'Originally formed 1993 ... One of the country’s finest choirs, with a wide-ranging repertoire stretching from the Renaissance to the present day ... The Choir habitually works with instrumentalists and soloists of national and international repute ... With its clean, precise and blended sound, Cantemus is particularly acclaimed for its stylish interpretations of Baroque music.'

'An independent charity run by its members. It is committed to excellence, to the development of its members, to diversity and engaging in the musical life of London, to commissioning and performing new works, and to supporting the musicians of tomorrow ... The Choir is made up of amateur singers who work to the highest professional standard, challenged by a wide variety of music including new commissions, lesser known choral works as well as the established symphonic choral repertoire. We principally work with the London Symphony Orchestra at the Barbican and on tour, along with many other leading orchestras in the UK and worldwide.'

'A community choir open to adults who enjoy singing both with others and to others. We do not audition and no previous experience is necessary to join. We are a group of people who just love to sing together. We sing music from all genres, including modern and traditional ... Concerts include residential homes and care homes, weddings, civic events, charitable concerts, and joint concerts with other bands and choirs. We also raise money for local and national charities.'

'Founded in 1993 by the late Evelyn Barbirolli, an outstanding oboist, this is an event of exceptional quality which stands as a lasting memorial to her. The festival, now based in the Erin Arts Centre, has attracted competitors from as far away as Australia, China and the United States.' Held triennially [2020] Late March - Early April.

'Launched in October 2018, Music Education Islington [MEI] is a partnership of the leading providers of music education in the borough, led by Islington Council with Guildhall School of Music and Drama as the lead delivery partner ... MEI seeks to ensure all children develop their music skills regardless of their background or attainment and is part of Islington Council's commitment to a fairer Islington where young people learn and thrive.'

'Charivari Agréable (trans. ‘pleasant tumult’, from Saint-Lambert’s 1707 treatise on accompaniment) was formed at the University of Oxford in 1993 ... Apart from hosting an annual Summer Festival of Early Music in Oxford, the Ensemble regularly expands into Oxford’s resident period-instrument orchestra, Charivari Agréable Simfonie. The orchestra has on-going collaborations with over sixty vocal groups—choral societies and professional choirs alike—all over the UK, and has been conducted by many musicians of renown.' Festival held July - August.

‘Chamber Choir of London  is in demand throughout the UK and across the globe as a vibrant and innovative ensemble, bringing together the finest consort singers and performing a broad repertoire. Committed to world- class performance, the choir works with some of the industry's leading musicians, festivals and artistic institutions.‘

‘Vision is to create an annual programme of events that showcases the little known music written during the Holocaust, to be held here in Newcastle and Gateshead ... The greatest music, art and literature has often emerged from the most threatening of circumstances, bringing comfort and expression to those in need. There is a vast wealth of relatively unknown, yet wonderful music that has struggled to get the recognition it deserves on its own merit, despite the broad range of cultural and musical activities we enjoy here in the UK. During the Festival, works by these lesser known composers will be shared and explored alongside well-loved works from the more mainstream repertoire.’ Main Festival held Late January - Early February.

'Have you ever noticed: * that women feature rarely in organ recital series?; * that the vast majority of organ association directors and members are male?; * that few female musicians hold cathedral, collegiate and church positions? The Society of Women Organists (SWO) is dedicated to celebrating female organists in all areas of music-making.'

Founded 1983: 'Glasgow’s flagship choir. Our members are dedicated and talented singers and perform with professional musicians to a very high standard. Most of all, we have fun! ... The Chorus is now one of the biggest independent choral groups in the West of Scotland and is a significant player in Scotland’s arts environment. We’ve grown into an organisation that has around 80 members singing a wide range of musical genres, committed to performing less familiar pieces as well as the popular and well-loved choral works.'

'Formerly the Wesley Chapel, we are available to town centre communities every day of the week. Our landmark building in its central location allows us to engage with the community in many ways by connecting with voluntary services, charities, businesses and other organisations ...  Our Concert Series continues to attract artists with international reputations ... Bringing such a wonderful series of concerts to Harrogate is not without its costs. Although almost entirely volunteer-run, artist and venue costs are now approaching £16,000 annually. We do not receive grants. Ticket sales and donations only partly meet running costs, hence our patrons scheme ...'

Founded in 1986: 'The name Bardi derives from the Italian Count Giovanni Bardi who was associated with new ideas and approaches to the performance of music in the sixteenth century ... Originally conceived as a chamber orchestra ... within just a year the Orchestra had expanded in size to form a full symphony orchestra performing in St James the Greater Church, Leicester ... The annual Bardi Young Musician concerts series goes from strength to strength. These concerts are intended to encourage emerging and talented young soloists by giving them a platform on which to perform with a full symphony orchestra'.

'Established as one of London’s leading amateur choirs. Membership is drawn from the best chamber choirs and symphony choruses across the capital. Repertoire is wide-ranging, from the sixteenth century to some of the most challenging a cappella choral works of the twentieth century ... Vacancies occasionally arise for high quality singers with excellent sight-reading skills. Application is by CV and audition, and potential new members are invited to sing for a trial concert.'

‘Bringing the best performers in jazz ... Kidderminster Jazz Club is here to entertain you! We'll provide mainstream jazz, in an atmosphere where the classic sounds of the jazz vocalist; easy vibes of the saxophone; mellowness of the trumpet and the relaxing flowing feeling of the keyboards: mixes effortlessly with the rhythm of the drums, while grounded by the heart beat of the double bass ... This is Jazz!‘

‘Founded in the 1980s with the intention to assemble a group of local musicians to make music and have some fun at the same time without the full time commitment required of some of the more professional orchestras! The ethos was to enjoy making music whilst striving for improvement ...  Our repertoire ranges from arrangements of the classics to light music, and includes some pieces specially written or arranged for us ... We do try to ensure that the music is appropriate for the resources and standard of players in our group.  But to keep us on our toes, some slightly challenging works are tackled alongside more straightforward arrangements at any one time.’

'During the final year in Higher Education, all UK Conservatoires, Universities and Specialist Music Schools are keen to identify quality concert locations for their best graduate instrumentalists and opera students. For at least three concerts each year, Powderham Castle’s very impressive James Wyatt Music Room is now being used as a Concert Hall launchpad for the very best instrumental and opera students – performers of a standard associated with BBC TV’s Young Musician series or BBC3’s "New Generation Artists" programmes. All UK Conservatoires & Specialist Music Schools have warmly embraced this initiative. By encouraging gifted young instrumentalists from across the UK and abroad, these special concerts will play an important part in ensuring the future of classical music.'