As previously reported on 4BR, the Beverley & East Riding Early Music Festival returns for its 37th event with a celebration of Georgian musical heritage later this year.

Held between Friday 23rd and Sunday 25th May, the major strand of the programme looks at Beverley through the eyes of 18th century diarist and gentlemen John Courtney, reflecting on the music that was an important part of his life at a time when the town was at the centre of Georgian society.

Georgian Party Music

A new addition to the programme will see a special Georgian Party Music Workshop which will take place prior to the festival at Beverley Memorial Hall, on Saturday 10th May (2.00pm — 3.15pm).

The extra event is specially aimed at young musicians aged between 7 to 12 who play a woodwind or stringed instrument, but also those who have a general love of music.

Teach

A spokesperson told 4BR: "The Georgians loved making music, dancing, and playing games at their extravagant gatherings.

In this interactive workshop, musicians from Ensemble Augelletti will teach young people to play authentic Georgian tunes for traditional dances, while revealing quirky facts about the era."

Full Festival programme:

Full programme: https://www.ncem.co.uk/whats-on/bemf/

The National Centre for Early Music's 'I Can Play!' programme provides music-making opportunities for D/deaf children across the city of York and also runs 'I Can Play with Brass Roots', in partnership with Shepherd Brass Band.

It supports hearing impaired children and their families to play music in a band environment whilst developing their skills on a brass instrument. In 2024 "I Can Play with Brass Roots"won the Brass Band Project of the Year Award at Brass Bands England's 2024 Annual Conference in London.