The Ashford Baroque Ensemble is a mainly modern instrument ensemble made up of professional, semi-professional and good amateur players.

We play music from the Baroque and early Classical periods in an appropriate style.
(Keywords: baroque orchestra / London / group / amateur / early music group / Surrey / Berkshire / South East England, / South West London, / UK)

Site last updated: 26/01/2010

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Forthcoming Performances

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Saturday 6th March, 2010. 7.30pm

St Matthew's Church, Church Road, Ashford, Middx. TW15 2NY Map

with Laudamus Chamber Choir, director Nigel Evans-Thompson

Music to include:

Bach	Brandenburg Concerto No.3 in G
Handel	Coronation Anthems Zadok the Priest and The King Shall Rejoice
Handel	Concerto Grosso Op.6, No.1 in G
Monteverdi	Beatus Vir
tbd!	Sonata for 2 oboes and bassoon
Various	Music for trumpet and organ

Tickets:
in advance - £9, concessions (senior citizens, students, unwaged) £7, under 18s £5
at the door - £10, £8 & £6
Box Office: 01932 783343
Seating is on a first come, first served basis

 

About Ashford Baroque Ensemble:

• We rehearse at St Matthew's Church, Ashford, MIDDLESEX, (ie. not Kent!) approximately fortnightly on Monday evenings from 7.30 - 9.30, with about 3-5 rehearsals per concert. Formed in 2005, we are a mainly modern instrument Baroque ensemble, although many of our string players have Baroque bows. We aim for an ‘authentic’ playing style, and we do sometimes tune down a semitone to Baroque pitch - for example when we have music for strings only, or when Baroque wind instruments are available. We generally play music from about 1600-1785, from late Renaissance pieces at one end to early Classical at the other, including music by Haydn & Mozart. In most concerts we perform trio sonatas or other smaller scale works as well as concertos and sinfonias, and from time to time include vocal and choral music, to provide our audiences - and players - with plenty of variety. Please note that we do not normally employ paid soloists from outside the ensemble.
  
  
• About our Director: Philip Buckmaster gained an honours degree at the Colchester Institute School of Music, where Peter Holman (of The Parley of Instruments) was the resident early music lecturer. He studied the organ, piano, harpsichord, violin, singing, composing and conducting. He then followed a specialist course for music teachers at Kingston University, and now enjoys a varied career in and around London, playing, teaching, directing, composing and arranging. He has always had a keen interest in Baroque music and its performance. Well known locally, he is also Director of Music at St Matthew's, and Conductor of Feltham Choral Society.
  
  
• Listen to excerpts taken from our concerts:
  1.   Bach - excerpt from Suite in B minor - Badinerie
  2.   Bach -excerpt from Suite in B minor - Ouverture
  3.   Couperin - excerpt from Septieme Concert - Prelude
  4.   Bach - excerpt from Brandenburg 2, 2nd Movement 
  5.   Handel - excerpt from Organ Concerto in G minor, 1st Movement
  
  
• Vacancies:
  We are always pleased to hear from instrumentalists, as extras are needed from time to time. We would be particularly interested to hear from players with Baroque wind instruments. Players who are grade 8 standard or above are invited to apply. We are looking for players with enthusiasm, good intonation, musicality and good sight reading. There are no fees to join.
  Please e-mail info@ashfordbaroque.org.uk or phone 01932 783343 if you are interested in joining us.
  Please note that we do not normally employ paid soloists from outside the ensemble.
  
  
• Click here to download a publicity leaflet (in pdf format) including directions on how to get to rehearsals.

Have Baroque Ensemble, will travel!

Would you like us to come and perform in your church or other venue?

We have our own music stands and harpsichord. All we require is chairs (without arms) and space for about 15-20 players to be seated, and a fee of £300. Occasionally this amount is exceeded if extra players need to be brought in for any large works you might want us to play, or if your venue is far away. Any amount you raise above this you can use how you wish. We suggest a ticket price of £7-10 for a concert, which means that after the first 30-43 people, you make a profit!

Works Performed

Do you need an accompaniment for your choir?

We are also available to choirs seeking an historically informed Baroque accompaniment at modern or Baroque pitch. Fees are negotiable. (We have also been known to play a bit of Mozart & Haydn!)

We can play for your Wedding or other function!

Usually a small section of the ensemble will play. Minimum 3 players, but 4 or more is recommended for variety. Competitive rates!

Related links:

St Matthew's Church

Baroque-Music.co.uk

ClassicalMusicHomepage