Since 1992 the Early Music Forum of Scotland has been bringing together players, singers, dancers, makers and listeners from all over Scotland. It runs and sponsors courses and playing days for its members, run by leading professionals.

EMFS members receive an annual membership list, with details of each member's interests, and lists of names classified by activities. This is a useful way of making contact with other people of similar interests. In addition, the membership secretary and other members of the committee are always delighted to help members make useful contacts.

EMFS members receive a regular newsletter with details of early music events in Scotland, participatory events elsewhere, regular reviews of early music CDs and occasional articles.

Each year EMFS organises a Museum Weekend, two days of continuous music-making by early music groups from all over Scotland. Most often held in the National Museum of Scotland, but also on occasion in the Burrell Collection in Glasgow, it gives the general public a chance to sample a wide variety of early music and gives the players a chance to meet fellow enthusiasts.

EMFS is also part of the network of Early Music Fora which covers the whole of the British Isles. Members of EMFS can participate in the activities of the other Fora and advertise in their Newsletters, normally at reduced rates.

Office-Bearers for the year 2007-2008 are:

FORTHCOMING EMFS EVENTS:

Saturday March 8th 2008 10.00 am-5.00 pm

Renaissance Viol Playing Day in Carlops Village Hall & environs

A day for viol players of all abilities, who should be able to hold a single line in one-to-a-part music, who would like the opportunity to play on a matched set of mid- 16th century Italian viols. There will be a wide selection of music to play from or you can bring your own. Musically compatible groups will be formed once we know who is coming. Please note there will be no tutor.

Cost £10.00 (£12.00 non-EMF members) For further details please contact vivien@freeola.com or Richard Jones, 5 Lakeview,Powfoot, Annan, DG 12 5PG Tel: 01461 700396.

Saturday 12th April 2008 10am-4.30pm

Sacred Works from 17th Century Mexico : the Music of Juan Gutiérrez Padilla

A one-day workshop for choral singers, players of viol, recorders and other renaissance wind instruments and continuo players (organ, archlute) led by Clive Walkley to be held on Saturday 12th April 2008 in Augustine Church Centre, 41 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1EL

The main focus of the workshop will be his Missa Ego flos campi, a work for double choir. We shall also study his 8-part Salve Regina setting, his two Marian Responsories, Sancta et immaculata and Felix namque, and other shorter works. Choral singers, players of viol, recorder and other renaissance wind instruments, continuo players (organ, archlute) are invited.

PROGRAMME: The workshop will be held in two sessions of around two and a half hours duration each. The morning session will begin at 10 o'clock with coffee and registration, the music starting at around 10.30. After the break for lunch, the afternoon session will start at about 2 o'clock and conclude around 4.30pm. Hot and cold refreshments will be provided for both sessions. There is a good choice of restaurants, cafes and pubs serving meals at lunchtime in the area.

COST: EMFS member (£15) student / concession (£10) other (£20)

TO APPLY: 1. Please send a cheque, made payable to 'EMFS',to :- Peter Fielding, 16 Claremont Road, Leith Links, Edinburgh EH6 7NE Tel/ Email : 0131 554 1757 peterJfielding@aol.com 2. Please supply your Name, Address, Telephone number, Email address, and Voice (S,A,T,B) and or instrument(s)

RECENT EMFS EVENTS

EMFS at the National Museum of Scotland June 17th 2007

This was an outreach initiative by members of EMFS who have performing groups, a project aimed at presenting unfamiliar instruments and repertoire to the public who visit the museum. There was non-stop music from 11.45 am until 4.00 pm with large groups playing in the Hawthornden Court and smaller ensembles in nearby galleries which feature renaissance artefacts. Ten ensembles offered the experience of hearing everything from Eastern European Jewish folk music, viol consorts, lute songs and solos ( including Scottish music for 10-course lute) large scale renaissance festival music and song, recorder ensembles large and small, medieval harp and dance arrangements for mixed instruments. The museum had provided seating around the court and galleries which visitors took advantage of and there was much demonstrating and explaining of instruments and repertoire following each performance which fulfilled the aim of the project in full. Explorations are afoot to repeat the event in one of Glasgow's museums.