The proceedings of this NEMA International Conference held in association with the University of York Music Department and the York Early Music Festival can be found at www.york.ac.uk/music/conferences/nema/
A form is available here for anyone wishing to set up a Standing Order for their subscription, and we would urge members to pay in this way if possible. Anyone not up-to-date with their sub will receive a red notice with their September Diary.
The AGM was held on 4th June during the Wotton-under-Edge workshop. The Minutes of the meeting can be found here. Sadly our Chairman, Peter Leech, intends to step down in May 2012. This will follow four very proactive years in the role and we will miss his administrative skills; however, we hope that he will continue to direct lots of workshops for us and the strong link can be maintained. We would wish a new Chairman to take over at the next AGM in May 2012 in Edington.
NEMA held a meeting on 10th May 2011 in Leeds to discuss the current situtation of early music in Britain and how it might develop in the future and NEMA's role in it. Please click here for a report.
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, who have recently produced a report on the future of Early Music in Britain.
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 2011 for for 2011/2012. For details click here.
A Membership List (last issued with the December 2010 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.