Registered Charity No. 291319
The provision of workshops is an important part of our activities and we would encourage members to propose ideas for works to study, tutors and venues. Any such ideas should initially be put to Peter Leech and Madeline Hayward, by e-mail if possible; our aim is to ensure that all members' skills and interests are catered for as equally as possible throughout the year. Following the Dillington residential weekend last year, when some participants experienced travel difficulties, we are aiming to alleviate this by looking for venues well-served by public transport and by providing a post code and website address on workshop application forms. A useful source of maps can be found at www.streetmap.co.uk. If people are willing to share transport so much the better.
and writes
"Time: the last week of October 2010. Activity: a cultural study tour to Northern Italy, based in Mantua (where, of course, Monteverdi spent a significant part of his life). Including visits to Cremona (Monteverdi's birthplace), Bologna, and to Venice (where Monteverdi spent the last thirty years of his life), all these places taking in many significant places of especial interest to devotees of Renaissance and Baroque music. In Venice, for instance, the Basilica di San Marco, the Biblioteca Marciana, the Teatro Fenice, and the Conservatorio di Musica Benedetto Marcello di Venezia are all scheduled for a visit; and I hope that we will manage to get into the Pieta 'proper' (seen on some recent BBC2 programmes).
"Interested to know more? Then please don't delay, get in touch with me at mostlymusic@btinternet.com or rogervalwilkes@btinternet.com, or telephone me on 01565 872650 as soon as you conveniently can, as many of the final arrangements are being made at this time (our 4-star hotel base, also our flights, are already being held). Meanwhile, whether or not you yourself are able to pursue this mouth-watering trip, would you be kind enough to inform any friends or acquaintances to whom our plans might appeal. Here's hoping ...
The South West Early Music Forum (SWEMF) is an organisation promoting all aspects of early music in the South West of England. It is one of ten regional Fora, which cover most areas of the UK, and are affiliated to the National Early Music Association, NEMA.
The South West Early Music Forum region includes Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, Bristol, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire and brings together amateur and professional musicians, musicologists, teachers and pupils, instrument makers, and early music enthusiasts.
Throughout the year a series of workshops and playing and singing days are organised within the region where members have the opportunity to study works under the guidance of early music specialist tutors. These activities include Baroque Chamber Music Playing Days, Singing Days focusing on particular composers or periods, and Workshops preparing larger scale works for both voices and instruments etc.
SWEMF also organises a number of social events including the Annual General Meeting in October/November which is combined with a residential weekend providing ample opportunity for music making and the opportunity for members to voice their views and suggestions on the future operations of the Forum
Members receive a quarterly Diary of Events announcing future activities of SWEMF, and other EM Fora, and also concerts and other events both within the region and elsewhere. Application forms for forthcoming SWEMF events are included in the Diary of Events mailing.
Membership forms can be printed from the website. The next subscriptions are due on 1st April 2010 for for 2010/2011. For details click here.
A Membership List (last issued with the September 2009 Diary) gives information concerning members' particular interests, instruments played, voices sung etc. so that they may arrange joint activities outside those organised directly by SWEMF.
This site is maintained and Dick Little. Please send any comments or suggestions for improvements to webeditor@swemf.org.uk Suggestions for additional links are particularly welcome.