Issuu

Dates for your Diary

SEP

Armonico’s Great Bike Challenge

08 St Peter’s Church, Budleigh Salterton

09 The St Michael the Archangel Church, Lyme Regis

11 The Minster Church of St Cuthburga, Wimborne Minster

Supersize Polyphony 3 - Venetian Blinders!

26 Collegiate Church of St Mary, Warwick

OCT

Supersize Polyphony 3

- Venetian Blinders!

01 Lighthouse, Poole

02 Exeter Cathedral

06 Great Malvern Priory

NOV

Fauré Requiem

10 All Saints Church, Leek Wootton

DEC

Christmas Oratorio

01 Holy Trinity, Leamington Spa

Carols by Candlelight

15 Collegiate Church of St Mary, Warwick

16 St Peter’s, Parkstone, Poole

19 Collegiate Church of St Mary, Warwick

21 Holy Trinity Church, Stratford-upon-Avon

22 Great Malvern Priory

2027

JAN

The Forgotten Scarlatti 14 Wigmore Hall, London

Supersize Polyphony 3 - Venetian Blinders!

26 Coventry Cathedral

The Forgotten Scarlatti

27 Great Malvern Priory

28 Collegiate Church of St Mary, Warwick

FEB

Supersize Polyphony 3 - Venetian Blinders!

04 Ely Cathedral

MAR

Supersize Polyphony 3 - Venetian Blinders!

04 Wells Cathedral

BOOKING TICKETS

Dido & Aeneas

18 Collegiate Church of St Mary, Warwick

St Matthew Passion

26 Festival Theatre, Malvern Theatres

MAY

Telemann’s Flute

19 Great Malvern Priory

20 St Nicholas’ Church, Warwick

Dido & Aeneas

30 The English Music Festival, Dartington

JUN

Vivaldi & Mozart

17 Collegiate Church of St Mary, Warwick

20 Festival Theatre, Malvern Theatres

The Forgotten Scarlatti

TBC St Peter’s, Parkstone, Poole

JUL

A Moment of Calm

TBC Temple Church, London

Tickets for most local performances can be purchased from the Royal Spa Centre & Town Hall Box Office, Royal Pump Rooms, The Parade, Leamington Spa CV32 4AA.

OPENING TIMES: Mon-Fri 10am-4pm | Sat-Sun 10am-3pm | Bank Holidays Closed

Tickets can also be purchased by phone: 01926 334418 or online: www.armonico.org.uk

At many of our performances we provide free or discounted companion tickets for disabled ticket holders who need assistance. Please check with the box office when booking. If you have specific access queries or queries about the performance, please contact us via email hello@armonico.org.uk

ARMONICO’S GREAT CHARITY BIKE CHALLENGE!

Following a day of conquering the enormous hills of Devon and Dorset, racing from school workshops to care home concerts (with a few pub busking stops along the way), some of the worldclass singers and instrumentalists of Armonico Consort will arrive in Budleigh Salterton, Lyme Regis and Wimborne to perform highlights from the GREATEST ORATORIO OF ALL TIME…Handel’s Messiah, alongside the iconic Zadok the Priest.

At each venue, they will be joined by special guests, including TV presenter and wine writer Oz Clarke, for a spectacular hour of music, storytelling and entertainment. Every performance will also help raise vital funds to establish children’s choirs and dementia choirs across the region, bringing the transformative power of music to people of all ages.

To date since starting the Bike Challenge in 2018, they have raised over £100,000.

Running time approx. 75 mins, no interval

WITH SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR 2026 SUPPORTERS:

Many thanks to our sponsor Isola Garden Design for their generous support. Our thanks also to Roger Medwell MBE DL, President of Armonico Consort, Micropathology,and BluDog for their support, and to our wonderful musicians for donating their time and talent for this vital cause.

TUE 8 SEP 2026, 6PM

St Peter’s Church, Budleigh Salterton

Special guests BUDLEIGH

SALTERTON LADIES CHOIR & BUDLEIGH SALTERTON MALE VOICE CHOIR

TICKETS: £14.50

Box office: 0333 666 3366 www.armonico.org.uk

WED 9 SEP 2026, 6PM

St Michael the Archangel Church, Lyme Regis

Special guests: LYME BAY CHORALE

TICKETS: £14.50

Box office: 0333 666 3366 www.armonico.org.uk

FRI 11 SEP 2026, 6PM

The Minster Church of St Cuthburga, Wimborne Minster

Special guests: BOURNEMOUTH SYMPHONY CHORUS

TICKETS: £14.50

Box office: 0333 666 3366 www.armonico.org.uk

25 TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

SUPERSIZE POLYPHONY 3 - VENETIAN BLINDERS!

ARMONICO CONSORT & BAROQUE PLAYERS

DIRECTOR | CHRISTOPHER MONKS

THE ENGLISH CORNETT AND SACKBUT ENSEMBLE

Twenty-five years ago, on 21 September, I stood on a stage alongside a group of university friends, all of us taking our first steps into the professional music world. Beside us stood Dame Emma Kirkby. Our idea was a simple one: to perform together as friends, exploring new ways of bringing music to life and learning from one another as well as from exceptional artists. We had planned only a single concert. We began with Monteverdi’s Beatus Vir—and that night, I couldn’t sleep.

A quarter of a century and more than 1,000 concerts across the globe later, Armonico Consort continues to push artistic boundaries with its most ambitious, powerful, and immersive concept yet: Supersize Polyphony. Featuring some of the most dramatic music of the Renaissance and Baroque eras, this groundbreaking programme presents these masterpieces as they were originally intended to be heard— placing audiences at the heart of a breathtaking cinematic surround-sound experience, enveloped by a tapestry of voices and instruments of extraordinary depth, richness and dramatic power.

Continued over page

SUPERSIZE POLYPHONY THE TIMES

2026

SAT 26 SEP 2026, 7.30PM

Collegiate Church of St Mary, Warwick

Special guests: Esperanza Azteca

Chamber Choir, Mexico

TICKETS: £17.50, £22.50, £28.50, £44.50 (concessions for U16’s)

Box office: 01926 334418 www.armonico.org.uk

Warwick performance generously co-sponsored by members of Armonico Consort’s Conductor’s Circle, Mr John Cook and Mr & Mrs J Wynn-Evans.

THU 01 OCT 2026, 7PM

Lighthouse, Poole

TICKETS: £33, £28.60, £22

Box office: 01202 280000

www.lighthousepoole.co.uk

PROGRAMME

Monteverdi - Lauda Jerusalem

- Ave Maris Stella a 8 (from Vespers of 1610) - Beatus Vir

Valls - Missa Scala Aretina a 16

David Buckley - World Premiere & Lamentations

Tallis - Spem in Alium in 40 parts

FRI 02 OCT 2026, 7PM

Exeter Cathedral

TICKETS: £43.50, £22.50, £15

Box office: 01772 439062

www.twomoorsfestival.co.uk

Note: Title and programme differs slightly. Please check website for full details.

TUE 6 OCT 2026, 7PM

Great Malvern Priory

TICKETS: £39.20, £35.84, £11.20

Box office: 01684 892277

www.malvern-theatres.co.uk

Supersize Polyphony 3 UK Cathedrals tour has been generously sponsored by Jamie and Alison Justham

25

Continued from previous page

My real love for Baroque music began with the Venetian school, particularly the works of Monteverdi and Gabrieli. What has always fascinated me is the extraordinary influence their music exerted across Europe, inspiring composers from Germany to Spain. That is why this programme features the breathtaking multi-choir Mass by the Catalan composer Valls. Bringing together an exceptional group of artists, this promises to be the most ambitious, and perhaps the most daring performance we have ever attempted.

Christopher Monks

Running time approx. 120 mins, with interval

CELEBRATION

2027

TUE 26 JAN 2027, 7PM

Coventry Cathedral

TICKETS: £24.50, £19.50

Box office: www.armonico.org.uk

Family friendly concert, 80 minutes no interval.

Generously supported by NP Aerospace and Mr & Mrs Turner, members of Armonico Consort’s Conductor’s Circle.

THU 04 FEB 2027, 7PM

Ely Cathedral

TICKETS: From £21.50

Box office: 01353 660312 www.elycathedral.org.uk

THU 04 MAR 2027, 7PM

Wells Cathedral

TICKETS: From £16.50

Box Office: 01749 832207 www.wellscathedral.org.uk

FAURÉ REQUIEM

AC ACADEMY SCHOLARS

DIRECTOR | CHRISTOPHER MONKS ORGAN | MARK SWINTON

One of my proudest achievements has been the creation of the AC Academy Scholarship programme, which supports talented young people and helps them develop both their musical potential and their ambitions. This autumn, four of our choral scholars will be studying at Oxford and Cambridge simultaneously—an achievement that surpasses that of most schools in the UK.

I first sang Fauré’s Requiem as a boy, and many moments from the work have stayed with me ever since, lingering in my memory, and even haunted my dreams at times. It played a significant role in nurturing my love of choral music. I warmly invite you to hear these exceptional young musicians perform this masterpiece in the magnificent acoustic of Leek Wootton Church.

Christopher Monks

Running time approx. 45 mins, no interval

TUE 10 NOV 2026, 7PM Leek Wootton Church

TICKETS: £11.50 plus booking fee

Christmas 2026

J.S. BACH CHRISTMAS ORATORIO, PART 1, 3, 5 & 6

ARMONICO CONSORT & BAROQUE PLAYERS DIRECTOR | CHRISTOPHER MONKS

I only discovered Bach’s immense Christmas Oratorio in my 20’s and was completely blown away by how it was impossible to listen to without a smile. As in his Great Mass in B Minor, the Christmas Oratorio follows Bach building a work made of his own greatest hits, incorporating many moments of his earlier genius, perfecting around new but related texts.

For those who adore the grandeur of his great Sanctus and tender but exquisite solo movements of his Mass in B, this is an unmissable concert. For those who are just searching for an utterly uplifting start to the Christmas season – it is even more unmissable!

Christopher Monks

Running time approx. 120 mins, with interval

Tue 01 DEC 2026, 7.30PM

Holy Trinity Church, Leamington Spa

TICKETS: From £17.50

Box office: 019256 334418

www.armonico.org.uk

CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT

ARMONICO CONSORT & AC ACADEMY

DIRECTOR | CHRISTOPHER MONKS

ORGAN | GEORGE HERBERT, 15, 16, 19 DEC | CHRISTOPHER ALLSOP 21,22 DEC

When I created our Carols by Candlelight, I wanted to capture the warmth and intimacy of the carol services I grew up with: the comfort of familiar favourites, the excitement of discovering new music, and, of course, an essential helping of Rutter. Above all I wished to restore a spiritual and Christian heart to the celebration while keeping the focus firmly on the music itself.

It has been wonderful to see the event become so popular. For many audience members, it provides their first experience of exceptional live choral music, often inspiring them to explore our wider programme of concerts. This year, I am delighted to bring back many of my favourite carols, alongside some of the commissioned works that have made such a lasting impression over the years. Audiences often tell us that Carols by Candlelight marks the perfect beginning to their Christmas celebrations…for me, it absolutely is too.

Christopher Monks

Running time approx. 100 mins, with interval

PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS

Shepherd’s Carol, Chilcott

Astronomer’s Carol, Young

Stille Nacht, Grüber

The Twelve Days of Christmas, arr. Humphris

Lully Lulla, Stopford

Jesus Christ the Apple Tree, Poston

What Sweeter Music, Rutter

Mistletoe, Roberts

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, arr. Gritton

IN MEMORIAM DAVID PHILLIPS MBE

We dedicate our Carols by Candlelight concert in Warwick to David Phillips MBE. David was not only Armonico Consort’s very first major concert sponsor but also our greatest concert sponsor, supporting over 30 different performances whilst encouraging others to do the same.

David’s passion for and knowledge of Renaissance and Baroque music made a huge impact on our work, and we will be forever grateful to him for being such a magnificent champion for Armonico’s music.

TUE 15 DEC 2026,7.30PM

SAT 19 DEC 2026, 7.30PM

Collegiate Church of St Mary, Warwick

TICKETS: £44.50, £28.50, £22.50, £17.50

(concessions for U16’s)

Box office: 01926 334418

www.armonico.org.uk

15 Dec performance generously co-sponsored by Moore & Tibbits Solicitors and Roger Medwell MBE DL.

19 Dec performance generously supported by the late David Phillips, MBE & Phillips & Becker Accountants Ltd.

WED 16 DEC 2026, 7.30PM

St Peter’s, Parkstone, Poole

TICKETS: £19.50 - £29.50

Box office: 0333 666 3366

www.armonico.org.uk

MON 21 DEC 2026, 7.30PM

Special guests: Stratford Girls’ Chamber Choir

Holy Trinity Church, Stratford-upon-Avon

TICKETS: £29.50, £22.50, £17.50

Box office: 0333 666 3366

www.armonico.org.uk

Generously supported by Hilary Eldridge, member of Armonico Consort’s Conductor’s Circle.

TUE 22 DEC 2026, 7.30PM

Great Malvern Priory

TICKETS: £39.20, £35.84, £11.20

Box office: 01684 892277

www.malvern-theatres.co.uk

THE GUARDIAN PIZZICATO

THE FORGOTTEN SCARLATTI

ARMONICO CONSORT & BAROQUE PLAYERS DIRECTOR | CHRISTOPHER MONKS

This was the programme that first made our name, back when we were still students. We made a rather rough early recording with Dame Emma Kirkby, which marked the beginning of our international touring career. Twenty years later, Geoffrey Webber revisited and re-edited the works, and our record label invited us to re-record the programme. The result was met with widespread acclaim, including numerous five-star reviews, as well as praise from international radio stations and leading newspapers such as the one above.

If you are new to these works—and enjoy our Supersize style concerts—this is absolutely one you MUST experience. It remains my favourite of all our programmes: wildly dramatic, fiendishly demanding to perform, but immensely rewarding and thrilling for audiences. Simply put, you need to hear it! Don’t miss it—you may regret it if you do.

Christopher Monks

Running time approx. 100 mins, with interval

DEGELDERLANDER

“Greatest classical find of the century” LE FIGARO

“The Armonico Consort and its musical director, Christopher Monks, capture this abundance of inspiration in a performance full of life and variety.” THE FINANCIAL TIMES

“A fine chorus and a lively band.” THE SUNDAY TIMES

“This extraordinarily successful release has a musical significance of the highest order.” THE ORGAN

“A gleaming quartet of soloists…creating a vivid impression. The performances are both polished and stylish.” EUROPADISC

“The big complex choruses sound exhilarating. Strong and superbly shaped by Monks.” GRAMAPHONE

“Everybody is taking about it!” RADIO FRANCE

“Dixit Dominus is truly fascinating; vital virtuoso and volatile.” MUSIC WEB INTERNATIONAL

PROGRAMME

Vivaldi

Gloria in D Major, RV589

Scarlatti

Dixit Dominus a 16 voci

Messa a 16 voci

THU 14 JAN 2027, 1PM

Wigmore Hall, London

TICKETS: TBC

Box Office: 020 7935 2141

www.wigmorehall.org.uk

WED 27 JAN 2027, 7.30PM

Great Malvern Priory

TICKETS: £39.20, £35.84, £11.20

Box Office: 01684 892277

www.malvern-theatres.co.uk

THU 28 JAN 2027, 7.30PM

Collegiate Church of St Mary, Warwick

TICKETS: £44.50, £28.50, £22.50, £17.50

(concessions for U16’s)

Box Office: 01926 334418

www.armonico.org.uk

Warwick performance generously supported by Hilary Eldridge, member of the Conductor’s Circle.

TBC JUN 2027, 7.30PM

St Peter’s, Parkstone, Poole

TICKETS: £19.50 - £29.50

Box Office: 0333 666 3366

www.armonico.org.uk

“The vocal ensembles are beautifully sparse and luminous and the instrumental playing is brightly streamlined. Best of all is Rachael Lloyd’s dignified Dido, rich-voiced and flawlessly delivered.” THE GUARDIAN

PURCELL DIDO AND AENEAS

ARMONICO CONSORT & BAROQUE ORCHESTRA DIRECTOR | CHRISTOPHER MONKS

We first performed this back in 2005 with James Bowman and Dame Emma Kirkby – it was as much a masterclass in performance as it was Baroque interpretation. Since then, we’ve refined our own distinctive and highly engaging, entertaining approach to this masterpiece. It has become our most frequently performed programme worldwide, though this is only the second time we’ve presented it at St Mary’s in Warwick. For anyone unfamiliar with Purcell, this is an ideal introduction.

Combined with Pergolesi’s exquisite Stabat Mater, we hope to honour and reflect some of what we learned from that original concert with those two extraordinary musicians.

Christopher Monks

PROGRAMME

Pergolesi

Stabat Mater, P.77

Purcell

Dido & Aeneas, Z. 626

Running time approx. 110 mins, with interval

THU 18 MAR 2027, 7.30PM

Collegiate Church of St Mary, Warwick

TICKETS: £44.50, £28.50, £22.50, £17.50 (concessions for U16’s)

Box Office: 01926 334418 www.armonico.org.uk

Warwick performance is generously supported by one of Armonico Consort’s first volunteers and member of St Mary’s Church, Warwick.

J.S. BACH ST MATTHEW PASSION

ARMONICO CONSORT & BAROQUE PLAYERS

DIRECTOR | CHRISTOPHER MONKS

EVANGELIST | NATHAN VALE

CHRISTUS | JAMES GEIDT

To me, Bach’s St Matthew Passion stands alongside my other all-time favourite work…his Great Mass in B Minor. In both, Bach’s profound faith and extraordinary insight into human nature are evident in every bar. Calling it ‘genius’ barely does it justice, and although I have conducted the work more than 20 times, each rehearsal and performance still reveals something new. Just when I think I’ve mastered it, another door seems to open.

2027 marks the 300th anniversary of this monumental masterpiece, and it would feel incomplete not to include it in our 25th year celebrations.

Christopher Monks

Running time approx. 180 mins, with interval

FRI 26 MARCH 2027, 3PM Festival Theatre, Malvern Theatres

TICKETS: £31 £28, £25, £22 + booking fee

Box office: 01684 892277

www.malvern-theatres.co.uk

Nathan Vale

TELEMANN’S FLUTE

ARMONICO CONSORT & BAROQUE PLAYERS

AC ACADEMY SCHOLARS

DIRECTOR | CHRISTOPHER MONKS

FLUTE | EVA CABALLERO

SOPRANO | HANNAH FRASER-MACKENZIE

I have long wanted to include Purcell’s smaller anthems in performance, and this programme provides the perfect opportunity to do so. It is particularly rewarding to be able to showcase these works through our outstanding AC Academy Scholars, who bring such freshness, skill, and sensitivity to the music.

Their performances allow these anthems to come vividly to life, highlighting both their intimacy and expressive depth. Placed alongside Telemann’s exquisite brilliance, the contrast is especially striking, creating a programme that is both varied and deeply rewarding for performers and audiences alike.

Christopher Monks

Running time approx. 75 minutes, no interval

WED 19 MAY 2027, 7.30PM

Great Malvern Priory TICKETS: £18.50

Box office: 01684 892277

www.malvern-theatres.co.uk

THU 20 MAY 2027, 7.30PM

St Nicholas’ Church, Warwick TICKETS: £27.50

Box office: 0333 666 3366

www.armonico.org.uk

Hannah Fraser-Mackenzie

VIVALDI & MOZART

VIVALDI THE FOUR SEASONS

MOZART REQUIEM IN D MINOR, K.626

ARMONICO CONSORT & BAROQUE ORCHESTRA DIRECTOR | CHRISTOPHER MONKS

VIOLIN | EDMUND TAYLOR

In my mid-teens, two concerts made a lasting impact on me – the first was watching Nigel Kennedy do quite crazy things with the violin in Vivaldi’s masterpiece, and the second was playing organ continuo for the first time in a school performance of Mozart’s Requiem at the same time the film ‘Amadeus’ came out. This combination of performing masterpieces, whilst also having an insight into the outrageous life of the composers, (and a performer) made an indelible impact on how I came up with the concept of Armonico Consort.

Christopher Monks

Running time approx. 105 mins, with interval.

Edmund Taylor

THU 17 JUNE 2027, 7PM

Collegiate Church of St Mary’s, Warwick

TICKETS: £44.50, £28.50, £22.50, £17.50 (concessions for U16’s)

Box office: 01926 334418 www.armonico.org.uk

SUN 20 JUNE 2027, 4PM

Festival Theatre, Malvern

Theatres

TICKETS: £31 £28, £25, £22 + booking fee

Box office: 01684 892277

www.malvern-theatres.co.uk

Proud sponsors of Armonico’s Great Charity Bike Challenge

CELEBRATING OVER 25 YEARS OF MEMORIES

A QUARTER CENTURY!

25 years ago, a group of friends joined me in a pub, and decided we wanted to put on concerts, but not like everyone else, with a difference. We wanted to find a way to bring music to life for a modern audience who increasingly wanted more from the concert experience (including a decent glass in their hand). In so many of the cases, we simply went back to how things were originally performed. So much music from the 16 – 18th century was never intended to be placed in front of an audience and just listened to. Liturgical polyphony moved around the buildings, often never seen, Spem in Alium surrounded the listeners from all sides, Purcell’s Operas were performed in a lively and often bawdy way, with the audience almost certainly drunk (probably the musicians too). I could go on.

On September 21, 2001, Dame Emma Kirkby stepped on the stage of St Mary’s in Warwick, with a bunch of fresh faced musicians with very little real world experience of staging concerts. A most remarkable thing happened, that despite there being 30 performers in that first concert, Emma made us feel like we were making intimate chamber music and showed us a totally different way to engage with each other, both in rehearsal and performance.

Since then, and over 1000 concerts later, that unique approach has never left us, and whether we are performing one of our ‘Supersize Polyphony’ concerts with a multitude of musicians, or a small choir singing exquisite choral music, or one of our massive Royal Albert Hall concerts with 2500 singers. Not to mention our work creating over 300 choirs in schools and creating and performing incredible songs with SEND children, and our 3 choirs for those living with dementia and their families, the journey has been huge. Almost 200,000 have now benefitted from the outreach done by our charity across the UK.

Titles have always been an entertainment for us, a good way of capturing the attention of new audiences, and keeping us amused in the pub. My favourites – Monteverdi’s Flying Circus, There’s Something about Mary, Baroque Around the Block, Too Hot to Handel, not to mention Venetian Blinders which will be our actual anniversary concert. We have had 5 star reviews from The Times, BBC Music Magazine and The Independent plus a plethora of internation press and 4 star reviews from almost every major publication in the UK. All of it to our joy and surprise!

MY TOP 10 MEMORIES FROM THE LAST 25 YEARS

1 Walking on stage with Dame Emma Kirkby for the first time, and then not sleeping that night - planning the next few years inside my head.

2 Witnessing the hilarious carnage of Thomas Guthrie frightening the audience to death as he hid within them to start ‘The Scene of the Drunken Poet’ in our first ever Fairy Queen by Purcell.

3 My first time conducting over a thousand musicians at the Royal Albert Hall.

4 A multitude of incredible festival venues, most especially conducting Biber’s enormous 53 part mass to a packed Canterbury Cathedral.

5 Working with astonishing artists – Nicola Benedetti, Sir Willard White, Dame Judi Dench, Jeremy Irons, Anthony Sher, Dame Emma Kirkby and Rachel Podger amongst others.

6 My mother’s phone going off during the first piece of our Wigmore Hall debut.

7 Learning of a totally different approach to music making as we created choirs for street children in Nairobi, and with students in Mexico.

8 Every Bach programme we have performed.

9 Performing the 16 part works of Francesco Scarlatti for the first time in London, Naples and Tel Aviv, and blowing the audience away.

10 Seeing the Scholars programme grow and talented young people from all backgrounds achieving and surpassing their potential.

At our heart is a community, not just of musicians and staff, but also audiences and patrons and funders. None of what we do is possible without a combination of all of these. For that we are, and will continue to be hugely grateful for everything that people bring to this fabulous group of musicians and the team behind.

Christopher Monks Founder & Artistic Director

Memory Singers

Wednesdays | 1pm-2.30pm

All Saints Church

Vicarage Fields, Warwick, CV34 5NL

£6 per session (carers go free)

Thursdays | 10.30am-12pm

Coventry Dementia Partnership Hub

Everdon Road, Coventry, CV6 4FB

£5 suggested donation per session (carers go free) Coventry

Thursdays | 1pm-2.30pm

Elmdon Heath Community Centre, Cornyx Lane, Solihull, B91 2SF

£5 suggested donation per session (carers go free) Solihull

Details may be subject to change. Please check www.armonico.org.uk/communities Warwick

We are hugely grateful to all the generous supporters who fund Memory Singers, including a range of Trusts and Foundations and dedicated individual donors.

Singing sessions for people living with dementia and their carers

Singing has been proven to help people living with dementia to unlock memories and re-establish cognitive pathways. Our sessions are led by specially-trained musicians and bring people together in a fun, friendly and safe environment. Starting with relaxed refreshments, followed by fun warm-ups, activity songs and a wide variety of familiar tunes, the sessions can help build new friendships and boost confidence, helping people to feel more positive and supported. They are open to anyone living with dementia or other neurological condition, but participants need to be accompanied by a carer.

To book a place or for further information please contact Sarah Riddell: Email sriddell@armonico.org.uk or call 07722 632242

Support our Memory Singers | We are looking for friendly and enthusiastic volunteers to support our Memory Singers Group in Solihull. Please contact Sarah Riddell: Email sriddell@armonico.org.uk or call 07722 632242

Support our Warwick Concerts | Tasks would involve preparing the concert area and audience seating, programme selling and checking tickets. Please contact Becky Coates: Email bcoates@armonico.org.ukor call 01926 800109 ext. 1

our

Support Our Stratford-Upon-Avon Concerts | We are looking for volunteers to distribute concert flyers in the Stratford area, and to support our concerts there from December onwards. Please contact Becky Coates: Email bcoates@ armonico.org.ukor call 01926 800109 ext. 1

Come and join our friendly and supportive team of volunteers who help make this joyful programme happen.

IN SCHOOL CHOIR CREATION SCHEME

Armonico Consort’s Choir Creation Scheme delivers sustainable in-school music education and CPD through generous support from our funding partners. Schools work with our experienced leaders to achieve the following over a 5 session, in person programme:

• Whole class/choir singing in Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 3

• Develop existing singing provision or establish new school choirs

• CPD and practical training to build confidence in leading singing and choirs

• Ongoing mentoring support for new choir leaders

• Performance opportunities at large scale events, including the Royal Albert Hall every 2/3 years, alongside professional musicians

• Armonico Consort impact evaluation reports to support school leadership and OFSTED evidence

BUILDS CONFIDENCE

PROGRESSION TO EXCEPTIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

STRENGTHENS SCHOOL SINGING CULTURE

IMPROVES WELLBEING

THE SCHEME:

RAISES ASPIRATIONS

• Supports wellbeing, confidence and wider school culture

• Provides clear progression routes into AC Academy, scholarships and major performance opportunities

For more information, contact Nathan Cole (Director of Operations and Outreach): ncole@armonico.org.uk

JOIN AN AFTER SCHOOL AC ACADEMY CHOIR

Our popular AC Academy after school choirs for children aged 7-18 take place as follows:

WARWICK – AC ACADEMY CHOIR

By Audition Only

The Courthouse, Warwick

Tuesday: 4.15pm-5.15pm Juniors

5.15pm-6.30pm Seniors

COVENTRY – AC ACADEMY CHOIR

St Mary and St Benedict Catholic Primary School, Coventry

Wednesday: 4.15pm-5.30pm

SCAN THE QR CODE TO SIGN UP FOR THE LATEST UPDATES >

For further information contact Hannah Lant: hlant@armonico.org.uk

AC ACADEMY SCHOLARSHIPS

Applications are considered throughout the year to become an AC Academy Scholar. Gain Valuable experience in the professional music world and benefit from:

• Free singing lessons, individual mentoring and coaching from leading music educators

• Solo opportunities and prestigious performance opportunities alongside professionals

• Concert Tours and bursaries for music courses

• Support with University and Oxbridge choral scholarship applications and auditions

• Individual mentoring for talented young singers

• Pathways towards conservatoires, university choral scholarships and professional opportunities

N.B. Scholars need to be available on Tuesdays to attend AC Academy Warwick

For more info contact Ann Hannan: ahannan@armonico.org.uk

JOIN US

Become a member of Armonico Consort and support us to expand our groundbreaking work, as well as unlocking exclusive benefits that bring you closer to the magic:

• Early bird booking

• 10% off CD purchases

• Invitation to our annual reception

• Access to our members-only Facebook group

• Recognition in our publications

PLUS: at St Mary’s Warwick, Malvern Theatres, and Lighthouse, Poole concerts

Premium Patrons, President’s Circle, and Conductor’s Circle members enjoy a complimentary concert programme, a glass of sparkling wine at every performance, as well as discounts on tickets and complimentary invitations to concerts.

Whether you’re ready to join or considering an upgrade, our Fundraising team is here to help. Speak to us today and take your Armonico experience to the next level! www.armonico.org.uk/support-us

A HEARTFELT THANK YOU TO OUR EXISTING MEMBERS, WHO HELP MAKE EVERYTHING WE DO POSSIBLE!

A gift in your Will is a powerful way to share your passion for music, leaving a lasting legacy of outstanding music and high-quality education. By supporting Armonico Consort, you’ll help nurture future generations of musicians and ensure that our music education programmes continue to thrive.

Your legacy allows us to plan ahead with confidence, grow our impact, and reach more communities through our core programmes and new initiatives.

To find out more about leaving a legacy, contact our Fundraising Team: Call: 01926 800109, extension 6

Email: individualgiving@armonico.org.uk

Visit: www.armonico.org.uk/support-us/legacy-giving

Donate Today & continue with us into the next 25 years!

YOUR DONATION TO ARMONICO CONSORT CAN MAKE SUCH A DIFFERENCE!

Help us bring the power of music to communities most in need across the UK. Your donation could pay for:

£20 £50 £150 £500

provides refreshments at one of our Memory Singers sessions for people living with dementia.

covers the travel costs for our workshop leaders visiting a school in a deprived area with one of our life-changing choir creation projects.

meets the cost of a pianist for one of our performance workshops.

pays for the props and costumes for one of our amazing SEN performances.

£4,500

pays for a full three-school programme of choir creation projects in schools over a half term.

SCAN TO DONATE

Wills and Probate

Court of Protection

Commercial Real Estate

Residential Conveyancing Family Arranging and Paying for Care

Corporate Dispute Resolution

Armonico Recordings

Armonico Consort and Baroque Players have collaborated with some of the finest musicians to produce world-class recordings, which have gained widespread critical acclaim for their innovative programmes and exceptional quality.

Our CDs are available at all major retailers, iTunes, Amazon, Spotify, Apple Music and Presto Music www.prestomusic.com. For assistance please contact: marketing@ armonico.org.uk or

DANIELE

Thank You

We are especially grateful to the following benefactors who have given most generously to support Armonico Consort, those who wish to remain anonymous, and to the other individuals who give regular donations in support of our work.

CORPORATE

PRESIDENT’S CIRCLE

Clive & Paula

Benfield

Nick & Katie Chester

Sir Martin Dunne

KCVO & Lady Dunne

Mrs Margaret Eardley

Honorary Alderman

Michael Hammon

Rosemary Holding

The Ingles Family

Mr David Kershaw

CBE JP and Mrs

Vivien Kershaw

Gerry Slora & Jill Slora

CONDUCTOR’S CIRCLE

Mr John Boyden

David Burbidge

CBE, DL and Sandra Burbidge

Mr J Cook

Sir John Egan

& Lady Julia Egan

Mrs Hilary Eldridge

The Ingles Family

Gillian James

Mr Jamie Justham &

Mrs Alison Justham

Paul & Brigitta Lock

Mr Roger Medwell

MBE DL

Mrs Robina Phillips

Dr Paul Thandi

CBE DL &

Mrs Nicki Thandi

Mr & Mrs Turner

Mr & Mrs J

Wynn-Evans

We would like to give a special thanks to all our wonderful volunteers and hosts who generously support the running of our concerts.

Contact Us

ARMONICO CONSORT LTD

Ground Floor Offices, Pageant House, Jury Street, Warwick, CV34 4EW www.armonico.org.uk hello@armonico.org.uk

Registered charity no. 1103159

The information in this brochure is correct at the time of going to press. Armonico Consort reserves the right to change programmes and artists if necessary. In this eventuality, tickets cannot be refunded.

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