- April 12th 2025 Choir Meeting With Instruments
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Date Posted: Thu, 27 Mar 2025
The EMFS Choir will meet on April 12th at Polwarth Parish Church from 10am til 1pm - please note the change from our usual venue. For this session we welcome recorder, viol and continuo players, and together we will play Ich hebe meine Augen and the Magnificat in A, both by Heinrich Schutz. The link to the registration form is here - https://f orms.gle/EMRe2jX1tPrnzPGM6 so register as soon as you can, and tell your friends!
- Angus Smith Choral Workshop May 10th 2025
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Date Posted: Thu, 27 Mar 2025
'Consumed With Sorrow' is a Choral workshop where we shall be singing a selection of Renaissance masterpieces including works by Josquin, Dufay, Ockeghem, Robert White and others, led by Angus Smith. Angus has performed as a tenor with such groups as the Gabrieli Consort, the Tallis Scholars, The Sixteen and the Orlando Consort and is now the Artistic Director of the annual Music At Paxton Festival. He is also a Choral Consultant for Stainer and Bell. He has led workshops for the EMFS before which have always been extremely well received so we are looking forward to an excellent day! Sign up here - https://forms.gle/UPN2iB65AwfjFiX79 and tell your friends!
- Annual General Meeting and Making Music Day Sept. 28th 2024
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Date Posted: Fri, 2 Aug 2024
MAKING MUSIC DAY AND ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING - September 28th 2024
We will meet at Inverleith St Serfs Church, Clark Road, Edinburgh EH5 3BD at 10am with separate groups for singers and instrumentalists led by Michael Cameron-Longden and Lynne Hope. We will be looking at some French Baroque music, including Charpentier's Messe de Minuit, Rameau's Laboravi and also Tendre Amour from Les Indes Galantes. There will also be some surprise Lully! We will come together in the afternoon and finish the day at 4pm. The AGM will take place over the lunch break.
- September 14th Choir Meeting
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Date Posted: Sat, 27 Jul 2024
The EMFS Choir will meet at 10am at St Michael and All Saints Church on September 14th 2024. This term we shall be looking at some French Baroque, including Charpentier's Messe de Minuit. We are led by Choral Director Michael Cameron-Longden, and the link to the registration form is here - https://forms.gle/AzQ1dcYm8Lzrehsv9 All are welcome, so please tell you friends! For more information, see: https://forms.gle/AzQ1dcYm8Lzrehsv9
- September 21st Viol Consort Cafe
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Date Posted: Sat, 27 Jul 2024
Our increasingly popular Viol Consort Cafe meets next on September 21st 2024 in St Catherine's Argyl Church, 63 Grange Road, Edinburgh at 10am until 1pm. Led by Philip Redfern and Vickie Hobson, we will play in small groups of similar experience and standard. All are welcome, particularly beginners, and the registration form can be found here - https://forms.gle/FjAkYmUDxsNUE5xo9
If you wish to enquire about our 'hire a viol' scheme, please contact Thomas at viols@emfscotland.org.uk for more details.For more information, see: https://forms.gle/FjAkYmUDxsNUE5xo9
- November 2nd Viol Consort Cafe
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Date Posted: Sat, 27 Jul 2024
The November Viol Consort Cafe will be an all-day event, with the opportunity to have a lesson with the amazing Susanna Pell. Susanna played with The Rose Consort of Viols and also Fretwork for many years, and we look forward to working with her in Edinburgh. We will start at 10am in St Catherine's Argyl Church and finish around 4pm. Refreshments are provided but remember to bring your own lunch and a reusable coffee cup.
If you have any further queries please contact Philip at Consortcafe@emfscotland.org.uk
- December 14th Viol Consort Cafe
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Date Posted: Sat, 27 Jul 2024
Our increasingly popular Viol Consort Cafe meets on December 14th 2024 in St Catherine's Argyl Church, 63 Grange Road, Edinburgh at 10am until 1pm. Led by Philip Redfern and Vickie Hobson, we will play in small groups of similar experience and standard. All are welcome, particularly beginners, and the registration form will be available soon.
If you wish to enquire about our 'hire a viol' scheme, please contact Thomas at viols@emfscotland.org.uk for more details.
- July Choir Meeting
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Date Posted: Fri, 28 Jun 2024
Due to popular demand we will hold an additional Choir meeting on Saturday July 13th 2024 at St Michael and All Saints Church. We shall continue to look at a selection of pieces from the Oxford Book of Madrigals, led by Michael Cameron-Longden. If you're not on holiday, do come along - registration form is here - https://forms.gle/rkuQzC5q2xEhwmLD9. For more information, see: https://forms.gle/rkuQzC5q2xEhwmLD9
- Choral Workshop November 2024
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Date Posted: Fri, 28 Jun 2024
Pergolesi's Stabat Mater - a workshop for sopranos and altos led by Mhairi Lawson and accompanied by Jan Waterfield. This will take place on Saturday 9th November 2024, from 10am to approx 4.30pm, at Inverleith St Serf's Church Centre, 1A Clark Road, Edinburgh EH5 3BD. We will spend the day exploring Pergolesi's best known sacred work - the Stabat Mater. Composed during the final weeks of his life, the Stabat Mater was the most frequently printed musical work of the eighteenth century and is a delight to sing. For more information, see: https://forms.gle/RNj1JuXiTbka474u9
- Recorder workshop with Palisander
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Date Posted: Fri, 2 Feb 2024Recorder Workshop with Palisander Recorder Quartet
Saturday 20th April 2024, 10.30 am to approx 4 pm
Dollar Academy, Dollar, Scotland FK14 7DUPalisander Recorder Quartet is a vibrant young ensemble whose members are keen ambassadors for the recorder’s versatility. The quartet has performed in the UK, Europe and Japan and gives regular family concerts and educational workshops. We invite intermediate to advanced recorder players to enjoy a day workshop with Palisander in tutti and smaller ensemble sessions.
Why not stay in the area and head to Palisander’s concert on Sunday 21st April, 3pm to 4pm, at Aberfoyle St Mary’s Church ( https://sites.google.com/view/musicstmary/home)?
To register for the workshop, please complete the online form at
https://forms.gle/qamrKxiCAHFmxLkK8
Fees for full day: EMFS member £40; non-member £45; low income/student rate £10
Half day fees: EMFS member £22; non-member £25
Players under 18 years must be accompanied by an adult (playing or non-playing)
For all enquiries, email chairperson@emfscotland.org.uk.Attachment: 
- February 17th 2024 Making Music Day
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Date Posted: Fri, 12 Jan 2024
We will bring singers and instrumentalists together for a Making Music Day to be hekd at Falkirk Trinity Church, Manse Place, Falkirk FK1 1JN from 10.30am til 4pm on Saturday February 17th 2024. Led by Michael Cameron-Lomgden and Lynne Hope, we will be looking at some delightful choruses from some of Purcell's operas and (depending on the mix of instruments) some other surprise pieces.
Falkirk Triniy Church is about a 5 minute walk from Falkirk Grahamston Railway Station, and there is all day parking in the Council Car Parks in Garrison Place East, Garrison Place West, Meeks Road and Bridge Street. There is limited parking at the Church and we woud like to reserve these spots for those transporting large instruments or those with mobility issues - please see the relevant question in the registration form, as a code is required to enter the Church car park.
Do sign up as soon as you can, particularly if you intend to play, so we can confirm the mix of instruments and appropriate music. The link to the registration form is detailed in the 'more information' box or contact events@emfscotland.org.uk .For more information, see: https://forms.gle/yae7KEt1xVm8Dz37A
- January Choir Meeting
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Date Posted: Thu, 11 Jan 2024
***PLEASE NOTE CHANGE OF TIME***
The new term starts on January 13th 2024 and the Choir, led by Michael Cameron-Longdon, will meet from 11am until 2pm at St Michael and All Saints Church, Broughton Street, Edinburgh. We will be looking at a number of Mass settings of L'Homme Arme, including those by Palestrina, Dufay, Guerrero and others. Do sign up using the attached link - https://forms.gle/uYCrkru8TP2SsA1Z9 and tell your friends! The scores are on the Choir Music section of this website, or email events@emfscotland.org.uk for more information.For more information, see: https://forms.gle/uYCrkru8TP2SsA1Z9
- Making Music day and AGM September 30th 2023
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Date Posted: Fri, 15 Sep 2023
Join us at Inverleith St Serf's Church in Clark Street, Edinburgh for our annual Making Music Day and AGM. We will meet at 10am for registration and briefing, then spend the morning with separate sessions for singers and instrumentalists. The AGM will be held over lunch, then we will return to playing and singing in the afternoon before coming together for a final tutti to end the day at 4.45pm. The singing sessions will be led by Michael Cameron-Longden and the instrumental sessions led by Lynne Hope. Murray Campbell will lead the final tutti. Tea/coffee will be provided. Please register here - https://forms.gle/9ob22vQ7VPjzagWq5
- Appointment of New Choral Director
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Date Posted: Fri, 8 Sep 2023
We are delighted to announce the appointment of Michael Cameron-Longden as the new Director of the EMFS Choir.
Michael read music at Bath Spa University, graduating with first class honours and the annual recital prize, before continuing his studies at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. He studied singing under Julian Tovey, and undertook secondary studies in keyboard instruments with Clare Sutherland and John Gormley, and graduated from the vocal studies course with his Masters' degree in 2016.
Since then Michael has made Glasgow his home and is in demand across a portfolio of performance, conducting and education work. He has a busy studio of private pupils with students being accepted into the National Youth Choir of Scotland and its newly formed hand picked chamber choir, higher education courses across classical and popular music, as well as musical theatre at universities, colleges and conservatoires. He is the bass chorister at Wellington Parish church, and recently appeared as the Fisherman and the Water Kelpie in the Scottish premier of Granville Bantock and Majorie Kennedy-Fraser's The Seal woman with Scots Opera Project, having also been chorus master for the production. He currently conducts Cathures Chamber Choir in Glasgow, and Hillfoot Harmony, an upper voices choir in Dollar, and is frequently in demand to work with other choirs to providing workshops and coaching.
Michael is delighted to be working with the Early Music Forum of Scotland choir, and we look forward to working with him.
For more information, see: https://michaellongden.wordpress.com/
- September Choir Meeting
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Date Posted: Thu, 31 Aug 2023
Come and join us while we choose a new Conductor for the EMFS Choir. We will be singing some Byrd, John Blow and John Wilbye in a short 2 hour session at St Michael and All Saints Church on September 2nd starting at 10am. There is no charge for this session, register here - https://forms.gle/H6Jicjhy26cG1R8S8
- June Choir Meeting
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Date Posted: Thu, 1 Jun 2023
The EMFS Choir will meet on Saturday June 3rd at 10am in Stockbridge Parish Church, Saxe Coburg Street, Edinburgh. This will likely be the last session lead by our Choir Master Philip Redfern, so please come along and sing him out with some songs by Purcell, Arne, Whythorne and others!
- April Choir Meeting
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Date Posted: Fri, 14 Apr 2023
The EMF Choir will next meet at 10am on April 22nd 2023 at St Cecilia's Hall, 50 Niddry St, Edinburgh EH1 1LG. We will be embarking on a programme of 'Summer Songs' this term, including some French chansons, Lieder, madrigals and some glees and canonic songs. Scores available on the Choir music page on the website, or email events@emfscotland.org.uk
- February Choir Meeting
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Date Posted: Tue, 7 Feb 2023
The Choir will meet again on February 10th at 10am in St Michael and All Saints Church in Tollcross. We will be continuing the Tallis motets from last month and adding a few more, including an excerpt from the Lamentations and the second Salvator Mundi, so please come and join us! All welcome, the link to the registration form is here - https://forms.gle/cvNJPb18TjH7kBEV7 Scores are on the Choir Music section of the Members Page, or email events@emfscotland.org.uk for more details.
- January Choir Meeting
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Date Posted: Tue, 10 Jan 2023
The Choir will start the new term on January 14th at 10am in St Michael and All Saints Church in Tollcross. We will be kicking the new year off with some favourite motets by Thomas Tallis, so please come and join us! All welcome, the link to the registration form is here - https://forms.gle/FbzJhoRDQMJcFfFFA Scores are on the Choir Music section of the Members Page, or email events@emfscotland.org.uk for more details.
- **Important Choir Update**
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Date Posted: Fri, 9 Dec 2022
CHOIR MEETING CANCELLED DECEMBER 10TH 2022
Unfortunately due to illness we have had to cancel the Choir session tomorrw (December 10th). We shall receonvene on January 14th 2023 at St Michael and All Saints, more details to follow.
- Emails of Interest for week ending Friday 30th September 2022
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Date Posted: Fri, 30 Sep 2022
Emails can be found here:
https://www.emfscotland.org.uk/dbpage.php?pg=libraries
- Early Music Day at the Outwith Festival
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Date Posted: Wed, 7 Sep 2022
Come along to Pittencrieff House in Pittencrieff Park, Dunfermline on Saturday September 10th and hear some live music performed in a 17th century house. We have been asked to organise an Early Music Day for the Outwith Festival, so some of our members and friends will be performing a series of short recitals from 11am to 4pm. The day will start with Luisa McMinn playing some pieces for theorbo, then a Recorder Consort will play the first of their two sessions. Jacques Carroll will play a selection of pieces for classical guitar and lute, then he will accompany soprano Elspeth McVeigh in some 16th and 17th century songs. The Recorder Consort will finish the day with a second rendition of their earlier programme.
Do come along!For more information, see: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/early-music-day-tickets-385985331517?aff=ebdsoporgprofile
- Making Music Day and AGM on September 17th
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Date Posted: Wed, 7 Sep 2022
We will meet at Inverleith St Serf’s Church, 1A Clark Road, Edinburgh EH5 3BD at 10am on Saturday September 17th. We will be using the large and small halls at St Serfs and, depending on numbers, also the Church. I would encourage you to register early if you can so that we can make arrangements with St Serfs for a larger space if required.
The Choir will be looking at Purcell’s ‘I Was Glad’ and John Blow’s ‘Behold, O God Our Defender’ and ‘Let Thy Hand Be Strengthened’. I have attached PDFs of the music, but it is also on the EMFS website in the Choir Music section of the Members Area.
Details of the programme for the instrumentalists will be sent out soon, once we have a better idea of the mix and balance of instruments. However, we will be playing at A440 pitch, and instrumentalists should bring their own music stand.
The draft schedule for the day is as follows –
10.00 – 10.30 Registration, set up, briefing at 10.25. Coffee and tea available
10.30 - 11.30 Separate sessions for singers and instrumentalists
11.30 – 11.45 Short break - coffee and tea available
11.45 - 12.45 Separate sessions for singers and instrumentalists
12.45 – 14.15 Lunch (please bring packed lunch) with the EMFS AGM at 13.30
14.15 – 15.15 Separate sessions for singers and instrumentalists
15.15 - 15.45 Break - coffee and tea available
15.45 – 16.45 Final tutti
Singing sessions led by Philip Redfern
Instrumental sessions led by Lynne Hope
Final tutti session led by Murray Campbell
The costs for the day are as follows –
£15 Full Day for EMFS members
£20 Full Day for non-members
£5 Full Day for Students/low wage
£8 Morning Session for EMFS members
£10 Morning Session for non-members
I understand there are local cafes in the area for lunch, but it is probably easier to bring your own packed lunch. There is limited parking in the area.
I have attached a link to the Registration Form - https://forms.gle/MFmxaMNHFifVDMoi9 but if you have any queries please drop me a line at events@emfscotland.org.uk
- EMFS Choir meeting on 2nd July is cancelled due to Covid
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Date Posted: Fri, 1 Jul 2022EMFS CHOIR MEETING SATURDAY 2nd JULY IS CANCELLED!It’s with great regret that due to a combination of cancellations and Covid infections, we’re going to have to cancel this Saturday’s choir session. We don’t now have a suitable quorum of singers for the music, and given the prevalence of Covid at the moment it may be wise to not be sitting and singing together for 3 hours. If you have already paid by BACS or Paypal we can either refund you or roll the payment over to the next session in September – please let me know your preference. It may take a day or two before you receive a reply to your emails, as I also have Covid!I hope you all have a wonderful summer, and manage to experience as much music as possible. I look forward to seeing you all in September, and we will be emailing out with a programme of autumn events soon.Best wishesMargaret
(Please get well soon everybody! from Sue Owen)
- Viols - Try a viol and tutoring opportunities in March!
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Date Posted: Fri, 4 Feb 2022
Ali Kinder and Ibi Aziz
Ali and Ibi are available to give individual lessons, coach consorts and provide technique classes on the afternoon of the 10th March, a full day on the 11th March, and the morning of Sunday 13th March. There is also the possibility of running a half-day Try a Viol session which was very well attended the last time Ali ran one. Come and try for yourself!
Ali and Ibi are members of the Chelys Consort of Viols who are performing for the Georgian Consort Society on Saturday 12th March in St Andrews and St Georges.
Viol Hire. The Viola da Gamba Society of Great Britain have a large collection of viols donated over the years. These can be hired - £80 for 3 months, £20 for full time music students. The VdGS have lent EMFS 6 viols at a basic rental, 3 of which are currently out on hire, and 3 remain available.
Please email Vickie (vickie@emfscotland.org.uk) for more information.
- Choral Workshop with Angus Smith
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Date Posted: Fri, 28 Jan 2022Details and the link for booking our forthcoming workshop on March 12th 2022
with Angus Smith of the Orlando Consort
We will be meeting at Broughton St Mary’s in Bellevue Crescent, Edinburgh and the schedule for the day will be as follows –
09.30 – 10.00 Registration
10.15 – 11.30 Session 1
11.30 – 11.45 Break
11.45 – 13.00 Session 2
13.00 – 14.15 Lunch
14.15 – 15.30 Session 3
15.30 – 15.45 Break
15.45 – 16.45 Session 4
Angus has prepared an interesting programme of both new and unfamiliar repertoire from Byrd, Dunstaple, Parsons and others, with Byrd featuring prominently. This will include Byrd’s Libera me, Domine, de morte aeterna, Dunstaple’s Descendi in ortum meum and Taverner’s Alleluya V: Veni Electa. He hopes to demonstrate how the very earliest music from the 11th to the 15th centuries influenced what came later, and I’m sure we will all have a lovely day.
We will have bound copies of the music for you to take away on the day, and we will have them available for advance collection at our choir session in St Michael’s and All Saints on February 12th. Angus is not expecting everybody to look at the music before the day, but we are simply making it available in case people would like to have advance notice.
The fees for the day are as follows –
Half day: £22 EMFS members; £25 non-members
Full day: £40 EMFS members; £45 non-members
Students/Low Income £10
There are also some free places for students, and if anyone would like to enquire further about this then please contact me directly at events@emfscotland.org.uk
To register please follow this link
https://forms.gle/tKzg3wkKeZbbTyiQ6
Like all events, we are dependent on the continued relaxation of Covid restrictions, and will take our advice and instruction from the Scottish Government. I would ask you all to take a Lateral Flow Test on the day, and if it is positive then of course please do not attend.
If you have any queries please contact me (Margaret West) on events@emfscotland.org.uk and I hope as many of you as possible can come. It really should be a fabulous day!
- Choir session on 15 Jan moves to Zoom
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Date Posted: Sat, 8 Jan 2022
Due to the current surge in Covid cases we have reluctantly come to the decision to change our Choir session on January 15th from an in-person event to a one-hour online session on Zoom with Philip Redfern at 11am. Given the changes to the Government’s guidelines on music making and the difficulties in managing 2 metres social distancing, we feel this is the best way to proceed safely until restrictions are lifted. We hope to be able to meet in person in February, depending on future Government announcements. Philip will lead the hour-long session, which will include some singing (on mute!) and some background to the pieces.
There will be no charge for the Zoom session. If you would like to join in here are the Zoom codes
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82209552121?pwd=SmVqRW44bEErTWgvcHVGcmVIeUUxUT09
Meeting ID: 822 0955 2121
Passcode: 877965
If you have any queries please contact Margaret West, EMFS Events Organiser on events@emfscotland.org.uk
