Manchester Playing Day – Society of Recorder Players

Sat 15Nov2025

Playing Day with Sophie Middleditch and Alyson Lewin

St Matthew’s Community Hall, Chapel Lane, Stretford, Manchester M32 9AJ

10:00 - 17:00

£15 members £20 non members

Contact: / 07961588464

September 2025

Fri 26Sep2025

A mosaic of stories from Early Modern Europe with medieval ensemble Rune. In the stunning medieval church of St Bartholomew- the-Great, Rune explores music and stories from the 14th and 15th centuries based around themes of The Decameron by Boccaccio c.1348.

St Bartholomew-the-Great Church, West Smithfield, London EC1A 9DS

19:00 - 20:30

£12

A mosaic of musical stories from early modern Europe. Giovanni Boccaccio wrote his masterwork Decameron after the outbreak of the Black Death in Florence, 1348. It is a frame story in which a group of friends, sequestered from the horrors of the plague in a rural villa, share stories with each other to entertain, rouse, and move. In this programme each piece is an individual musical story.

Doors open 6pm, the bar will be open to purchase refreshments
Concert 7pm-8:30pm with interval

Rune:
Angela Hicks (soprano), Jean Kelly (harp), May Robertson (vielle), Daniel Scott (recorders, organetto), Daniel Thomson (tenor)

About us:
Rune is a recently established ensemble of five musicians dedicated to sharing their joint passion for medieval music. The name 'Rune' is derived from the Old English 'rūn', meaning a mystical spell-song, and reflects the groups fascination with the rare and touching beauty of music from 700 years ago. The ensemble approaches this music with curiosity and dedication, sharing deeply researched programmes as well as outreach projects for children, all with the purpose of sharing stories that challenge and enrich our preconceptions of the past, and present.

Since meeting for the first time through Medieval Carols at St Bartholomew-the-Great, Rune was formed with the aid of the late Deborah Roberts and the Brighton Early Music Festival. They were featured in the 2023 Brighton Early Music Festival Live! Young Artist Scheme.

This concert is generously supported by Continuo Foundation and St Bartholomew-the-Great

Contact: / 07481 047 662

Tickets at Great St Bart's

Sat 27 - Sun 28Sep2025

Banbury Early Music Festival is for early music fans and newcomers alike, to come and participate in inspiring workshops, listen to world class concerts, leaf through a myriad of music and try out early instruments.

St Mary's Church, Horse Fair, Banbury OX16 0AA

Between £0 - £18

Concerts from:
Sarah Jeffery
Passacaglia Trio
Rune Ensemble
Elizabeth Kenny & Nardus Williams
Chelys Consort of Viols

Workshops with:
Sarah Jeffery - Historical female composers
Sarah Jefferey - Contemporary techniques
Dylan McCaig - Choral
Alison Kinder - Singers and Instrumentalists

Performers Platform - amateur and student groups

Makers Marketplace - sheet music and instruments on sale (Tim Cranmore, Julie Dean, OHMI, NRI strings, Merion Attwood, Paul Fremantle, AK Music, Viola da Gamba Society, Lizzie Gutteridge, 23 Violins, The Early Music Shop.

Supported by Society of Recorder Players, Continuo Foundation, TVEMF, MEMF, Music Repreival Trust, Crowdfunder

Contact: / 07870221898

Banbury Early Music Festival

Tue 30Sep2025

Tue 09Dec2025

For intermediate players, a new recorder consort in Richmond (West London) is starting in September. It will be informal and collaborative, while still exploring technique, elements of HIP and a wide repertoire.

Richmond and Hillcroft Adult Community College, Parkshot, Richmond, TW9 2RE

17:00 - 19:00

£191.58 for 10 sessions

If you’re a recorder player who enjoys making music in a friendly environment, or perhaps you’d like to get back into playing recorder after a long break or even explore playing the recorder as an additional instrument, this consort is for you