| A Happy New Year from all of us at WEM. At our AGM on Saturday 6th January we said thank you and farewell to trustees Simon and Matthew, and welcomed new trustees Carole and Rob. We looked back over the past year through the comprehensive accounts prepared by Ross our treasurer, and through the chair’s report; a year when increased funding was a big part of the story, and audience numbers remain stubbornly steady. The committee who work hard promoting our concerts, all agreed to be re-elected en bloc, so with the AGM done, we are all set to begin planning next season, as well as ensuring the rest of this season runs smoothly. Our next concert is on Sunday February 18th at 3.30pm and features local artists Amarylli; Liz Pallett (lute and theorbo) and Hannah Grove (soprano) who will perform Lute Songs in a programme entitled “Love’s Sweet Passion”. I’m really looking forward to hearing Amarylli who have gained a reputation in their local performances, in the last few years. The last concert of the season will be on Sunday April 7th, and sees the return of violinist Magda Loth-Hill (who performed as part of Ensemble Hesperi earlier in the season), to play solos and sonatas with harpsichordist Nathaniel Mander in a programme entitled In Stil Moderno, They will be exploring works from 17th and 18th century which were at the forefront of creativity and invention at the time. We are also currently discussing the possibility of a vocal workshop to be given by Professor Laurie Stras in collaboration with MEMF, as an addition to this season….watch this space and pencil in Saturday 11th May in your diary! And as for season 2024-2025…well, it’s beginning to take shape so more about that in the next month or so. Here’s to a busy and successful WEM in 2024 |
