Tag: Ex Corde Vocal Ensemble

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Kentmere House Gallery to stock The York Waits’ Christmas cards designed by John Scarland. Packs of five cost £2.50

John Scarland’s Christmas card of The York Waits: On sale through Kentmere House Gallery

KENTMERE House Gallery has produced its own exclusive Christmas card featuring The York Waits, one of the world’s longest-established Renaissance music ensembles.

Designed by artist John Scarland, the 7” x 5” card is printed on good-quality card in packets of five priced at £2.50, available in person from the gallery at 53, Scarcroft Hill, York, Y024 1DF, or by post by phoning gallery owner Ann Petherick on 01904 656507 or emailing her at [email protected] . Postage and envelopes are included in the price.

The York Waits have performed continuously since 1977, bringing sounds such as the shawm and sackbut band and the “great consort” of recorders, plus mixed ensembles that include voices and violins, crumhorns and curtails, to audiences throughout the UK and in several European countries.  

Naturally, there have been personnel changes, bringing in younger musicians with new skills, ideas and repertoire, but one founder member remains and others have performed with The York Waits for more than 20 years. 

The York and Yorkshire group was formed by seven young men who developed a passion for the music of the Medieval and Renaissance periods and for its instruments, at a time when accurate reproductions were becoming more widely available. 

The ensemble gave itself a powerful raison d’être by setting out to re-create the salaried city band of York, which existed from medieval times to the early 1800s. Many municipalities in England and continental Europe employed such ensembles, each with a range of civic duties, such as bringing music to the masses.

For many years, The York Waits performed in carefully researched and re-created clothing of the Renaissance period, and the band still clambers into costume for traditional processions and historical re-enactments. 

The York Waits have made ten recordings inspired by historical themes, including the Spanish Armada, the life and times of Richard III and Henry VIII, plus York’s most notorious native, Guy Fawkes, complemented by a sequence of recordings of early Christmas music. 

Concert programmes have been constructed around such varied themes as pilgrimage and the Gunpowder Plot. Sometimes there are readings drawn from original sources, but the emphasis is always on the music of the chosen period and the instruments that were heard at the time, providing a vivid soundtrack to the past.

In the 2026 line-up are Tim Bayley, Lizzie Gutteridge, Anna Marshall, Susan Marshall and William Marshall, who will join forces with Ex Corde Vocal Ensemble to perform Christmas In Renaissance Rome under the direction of Paul Gameson at the National Centre of Early Music, St Margaret’s Church, Walmgate, on December 11 at 6.30pm as part of the York Early Music Christmas Festival 2026.

The programme will combine large-scale sacred polyphony with traditional Italian seasonal songs and instrumental music. Selections from two Christmas masses frame the evening: Arcadelt’s Missa Noe Noe and Palestrina’s Missa Hodie Christus Natus Est.

Motets by de Silva, Victoria, lullabies and instrumental pieces, reflecting both formal liturgical practices and more domestic Christmas traditions, complete the festive celebrations. Tickets are on sale at 01904 658338 or at ncem.co.uk.

Kentmere House Gallery will be open this weekend, November 7 and 8, from 11am to 5pm each day.

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Ex Corde Vocal Ensemble and Matthew Wadsworth to mark John Dowland’s 400th anniversary at NCEM on September 18

Ex Corde Vocal Ensemble

EX Corde Vocal Ensemble and lutenist and theorbo player Matthew Wadsworth join forces to mark the 400th anniversary of the death of John Dowland at the National Centre for Early Music, York, on September 18.

Dowland’s enduringly expressive lute songs – including Come Again, Sweet Love, Can She Excuse My Wrongs and Flow My Tears – are paired with a selection of his solo lute music in an evening of compelling vocal and instrumental English Renaissance music.

Alongside Dowland’s music, the 7.30m programme explores the work of his contemporary, William Byrd, with contrasting pieces including the penitential motet Ne Irascaris and the lighter, more intimate madrigal When I Was Otherwise.

Christopher Fox’s striking new work, Humble Verses, will be premiered. Setting words by Emilia Lanier – a remarkable female contemporary of Byrd and Dowland – Fox brings a distinctly modern perspective to the voices and ideas of Renaissance England.

Ex Corde Vocal Ensemble uses vocal music to create, collaborate and connect, bringing composers, performers and audiences closer together. Founded in 2020, the ensemble brings together singers from across the UK, many of them alumni of the University of York.

Lutenist Matthew Wadsworth

Its work has included collaborations with York Waits, the Rose Consort of Viols and composers Christopher Fox, David Lancaster and Ambrose Field, alongside appearances on BBC Radio 3’s Early Music Show and at the York Early Music Festival.

Matthew Wadsworth is one of Britain’s leading performers on lute and theorbo, enjoying an extensive international career as a soloist, chamber musician and continuo specialist.

Following his studies at the Royal Academy of Music, he established himself on the international early music scene, performing at major festivals and concert halls throughout Europe, North America and beyond.

His collaborations include performances with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and Academy of Ancient Music, as well as regular appearances on radio and television. His recordings for labels including Channel Classics and Linn have received numerous accolades, such as Gramophone Editor’s Choice.

Tickets are on sale on 01904 658338, via email to [email protected] or at https://ncem.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/1173679361.

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Who won the National Centre for Early Music Young Composers Award last night?

On screen: National Centre for Early Music Young Composers Award winners Eilidh Owen and Finton O’Hare, with their fellow competitors on Zoom , at last night’s live-streamed final

FINTON O’Hare and Eilidh Owen have won the National Centre for Early Music Young Composers Award prizes in York.

O’Hare emerged as the victor in the 19 to 25 age group, Owen likewise in the 18 and under category, at last night’s final live-streamed from the NCEM, St Margaret’s Church, Walmgate.

Presented in association with BBC Radio 3, the 13th iteration of the NCEM award invited young composers living in the UK to create a new polyphonic work for unaccompanied choir, setting either the Our Father (Pater Noster) prayer from St Matthew’s Gospel or the first and last verses of George Herbert’s poem The Flower.  

The eight finalists’ compositions were performed by York musicians Ex Corde Vocal Ensemble, the consort of the Ebor Singers.

Seeking the prize in the 18 to 25 final were Fintan O’Hare’s composition Come Passing Rain, Noah Bray’s Our Father, Sam Gooderham’s Late-Past, Caitlin Harrison’s The Flower and James Mitchell’s The Lord’s Prayer.

Competing for the 18 years and under award were Eilidh Owen’s As If There Were No Such Cold Thing, Ethan Lieber’s The Flower and Emily Pedersen’s Pater Noster.

The evening also featured performances of works by Owain Park and Alexander Campkin, winners in 2010 when Owain took home the 18 and under prize. Both have  become well established composers, providing good examples and inspiration for the 2020 entrants. Music by Alec Roth and Ben Parry was performed too.

“This year has been very different, moving the final and the workshop online, but we’re sure that the composers enjoyed this exciting experience,” said NCEM director Dr Delma Tomlin

Last night’s final followed a day-long online workshop from the NCEM, where composer Christopher Fox, professor of music at Brunel University, and Ex Corde Vocal Ensemble were joined virtually by the young composers. 

The 2020 panel of judges were BBC Radio 3 producer Les Pratt, The Tallis Scholars’ director, Peter Phillips, and NCEM director Dr Delma Tomlin.

Reflecting on the 2020 competition, played out against the backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic, Delma said: “The NCEM Young Composers Award continues to attract composers of the highest calibre from all over the UK.

“This year has been very different, moving the final and the workshop online, but we’re sure that the composers enjoyed this exciting experience. We’re looking forward to the concert at the Cadogan Hall next year with the wonderful Tallis Scholars performing the winning pieces.”

Next March’s London premiere of O’Hare and Owen’s compositions will be recorded for broadcast on BBC Radio 3’s Early Music Show.

Delma concluded: “Congratulations to our talented young composers and a special thank-you to the Ex Corde Vocal Ensemble, who helped make the award possible. I’d also like to say a big thank-you to my fellow judges and, last but not least, BBC Radio 3 for their invaluable support

“We look forward to meeting in person for the 2021 award. Details will be announced on BBC Radio 3’s Early Music Show on November 29.”

Last night’s live-streamed performance can be viewed at ncem.co.uk/composersaward.

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Young Composers Award night to be live-streamed from NCEM on November 11

“We’ve been working hard to give our aspiring finalists the best possible experience, even though we won’t be able to welcome them, their friends and family to York,” says NCEM director Delma Tomlin

THE winners of the Young Composers Award 2020 will be revealed by the National Centre for Early Music, York, in a live-streamed performance on November 11.

At 7pm, Ex Corde Vocal Ensemble, the consort of the Ebor Singers, will perform each of the shortlisted pieces for a panel of judges.

The Coronavirus pandemic enforced the postponement of the 2020 awards, but next month online audience can watch the re-scheduled finals free of charge, tuning in to hear music from the composers of the future performed by artists of the highest calibre.

This national annual award is open to young composers up to the age of 25 and resident in the UK in two age categories: 18 years and under and 19 to 25 .  For the 2020 award, composers were invited to create a new polyphonic work for unaccompanied choir, setting either the Our Father (Pater Noster) prayer from St Matthew’s Gospel or the first and last verses of George Herbert’s poem The Flower.

Competing for the 18 years and under award will be Ethan Lieber’s composition The Flower, Eilidh Owen’s As If There Were No Such Cold Thing and Emily Pedersen’s Pater Noster.

Seeking the prize in the 18 to 25 final will be Noah Bray’s Our Father, Sam Gooderham’s Late-Past, Caitlin Harrison’s The Flower, James Mitchell’s The Lord’s Prayer and Fintan O’Hare’s Come Passing Rain.

The live-streamed performance will follow a day-long workshop when the young composers will join composer Christopher Fox, Professor of Music at Brunel University, and Ex Corde Vocal Ensemble.

Judging the finals will be The Tallis Scholars’ director, Peter Phillips; BBC Radio 3 producer Les Pratt and NCEM director Delma Tomlin. The winners, one from each age category, will be announced after the concert. 

The Young Composers Award is deemed an important landmark in the careers of aspiring composers. Every year, the winning compositions are performed in public and recorded for broadcast on BBC Radio 3’s Early Music Show. This year’s winning works will be premiered by The Tallis Scholars in a public performance at the Cadogan Hall, London, on March 24 2021.

Delma Tomlin says: “Once again, the NCEM Young Composers Award has attracted attention from all over the UK. This year, we will be live-streaming the excitement and inviting audiences, friends and aspiring young composers and musicians to join us for this highly regarded annual event.

“For everyone working in the arts and entertainment, the last few months have not been easy. We’ve been working hard to give our aspiring finalists the best possible experience, even though we won’t be able to welcome them, their friends and family to York. We hope to be able to celebrate in style next year with the public performance at the Cadogan Hall.”

Alan Davey, controller of BBC Radio 3 and classical music, says: “Nurturing young composers is one of our key missions here at BBC Radio 3: we are keen on discovering new voices and supporting emerging talent.

“In the current circumstances, our commitment is more urgent than ever, as we need to make sure creativity survives and thrives in these unprecedented times. We can’t wait to delight our audiences broadcasting the winning compositions by some of the most promising young composers in the UK.”

The NCEM was among the first arts organisations to live-stream performances and festivals as a response to the lockdown. The first concert, broadcast on March 21, attracted more than 60,000 viewers from all over the world, from as far afield as Australia and Japan.

For full details on how to watch the Young Composers Award 2020 performance, go to ncem.co.uk.

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