• The Ashford Baroque Ensemble is a mainly modern instrument ensemble made up of professional, semi-professional and good amateur players. (Keywords: baroque orchestra / London / group / amateur / early music group / Surrey / Berkshire / South East England, / South West London, / UK)
  
• 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, and from experienced players who could not promise a regular commitment, but would be prepared to play from time to time. 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.
  
  
• 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.
  
  
• 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.
  
  
• Site last updated: 12/10/2009
  
  
• 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
  
  
• 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.
  

Forthcoming Performances

Sunday 13th December, 7.15pm after Choral Evensong (at 6.30)

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

with St Matthew's Church Choir
and Rachel Major, Soprano; Nigel Evans-Thompson, bass

Bach - Cantata No.140: Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme (Sleepers, wake)

No ticket is required, but a retiring collection will be made towards the cost of this performance. The start time for the cantata is expected to be approximately 7.15. Those attending the concert and not the service are kindly asked to either gather outside in the entrance porch or enter very quietly, if the service has not finished by the time you arrive. Thank you.

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