Early Music Fora cover England, Scotland and, through the Border Marches Early Music Forum, Wales. All the Fora organise tutored workshops and playing days; some also promote concerts or organise early music competitions and summer schools. If you want more information about a Forum in your area, please refer to the Links page.

SEMF

The Southern Early Music Forum (SEMF) exists to encourage “the study, practice and appreciation” of early music in southern England, specifically in the area of Hampshire, Surrey, West Sussex, the Isle of Wight, East Sussex and Kent.

Events

The Southern Early Music Forum organises regular workshops and “consort days” for singers and instrumentalists.

Our workshops for groups of players and/or singers have a professional director (recent directors have included Deborah Roberts, Alison Kinder, Patrick Craig, David Allinson, and Gawain Glenton). Each workshop will have a specific theme, for example a composer or group of composers, music from a particular country or region, or one or two larger-scale works.

“Consort days” are organised by members, and are usually untutored. They provide opportunities for making music in smaller groups, and are open to players and singers who are happy to hold a line on their own.

SEMF normally organises between 7 and 9 events each year at venues across southern England. The majority are one-day events; these always take place at a weekend. Most events are open to both members and non-members, and new members (or prospective members) are always welcome.

Newsletter

SEMF produces a quarterly newsletter to inform members of forthcoming activities and general events in the early music world, as well as reviews of recent SEMF events, books, concerts and recordings. The Editor always welcomes contributions to the Newsletter from members.

Membership

Membership of SEMF is open to anyone with an interest in playing, singing, studying or researching early music. Subscriptions are due by 1 March.

SEMF members receive the quarterly newsletter, regular email updates on early music activities in the SEMF area, discounts for events run by SEMF and other Early Music Fora, and a directory of members. The directory enables members to arrange informal playing or singing sessions with others in their area. (Inclusion in the directory is of course not compulsory.)

Booking forms for events are normally emailed to members in advance of their publication on the SEMF website.

Committee

SEMF is run by a small committee of volunteers.

SEMF is a registered charity (Registered Charity Number 1197797)