A unique opportunity to sing a full choral service in the Chapel of Gonville and Caius College. This year we are singing the wonderful Missa Pater peccavi (6 voices) of Andrea Gabrieli.

A rare opportunity for singers living in Germany to prepare a real Anglican Evensong, which we shall perform in the evening service of the Anglican parish in Berlin at the Marien-Kirche at Alexanderplatz. Evensong, a genial mixture of elements from Vespers and Compline of the Catholic Church, has been sung unchanged in the Cathedrals and churches of the Anglican Communion since the mid-16th century. The Versicles and Responses, the Psalms (to Anglican chant), Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis, and the Anthem, form a magnificent organic whole.

The Sacre cantilene concertate were published posthumously in the year following Croce’s death. They represent the composer’s only surviving works in the new concertato style. All these pieces are for 3, 5 or 6 solo voices, a Ripieno group of SATB, and continuo. In his preface, the publisher suggests that the pieces can be performed just with solo voices and Basso Generale, or that the Ripieno may be reproduced two or three times – presumably in different parts of the church – ‘perche fanno vaghissimo, e soavissimo Concerto.’ The pieces are thus capable of performance with as few as 4/6/7 musicians (soloists and organ) or with much larger numbers. The Ripieno group(s) can be made up of singers and/or instrumentalists, each in a different part of the church: a performance might take the form: Verse (soli) – Tutti (Soli and Ripieno A) – Verse – Tutti with Ripieno B (etc) – Verse – Grand tutti with all groups. The pieces are thus ideal for a day’s workshop, providing opportunities for more or less ambitious soloists and for ‘all manner of voices and instruments’. Applications for solo parts are invited from SSMATTTB. If we manage all 10 pieces in the collection, up to 45 different people can sing a solo. Continuo players should contact us well in advance to get copies of the score – the continuo part is sparsely figured but no realisation will be provided. A workshop jointly promoted by Midlands and North West Early Music Forum.

Our 19th seminar in Hamburg is devotd to the many small-scale pieces of sacred music which are overshadowed by Monteverdi's Vespers. In 2008 we celebrated 15 years of the Hamburg Seminar, which has developed into one of the best groups in the programme.

A new course in the calendar, offering an opportunity to sing a complete Solemn Mass in the splendid Roman Catholic Cathedral in Brenwood. We are awaiting confirmation of many details, but the plan is to perform as much as possible of Victoria's spectacular triple-choir Missa laetatus sum, with appropriate instruments. FULL DETAILS WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN DUE COURSE.

The International Academy of Sacred Music was established by Michael Procter in 1992 and has been under his direction ever since. It provides a unique opportunity to study, in the heart of Venice, music created in and for the city and its magnificent Basilica. The 2011 Academy - the 20th - will include sacred music by Andrea Gabrieli and some of his pupils and colleagues, including Hans Leo Hassler and Gregor Aichinger, as well as Orlandus Lassus. A course for very experienced choral singers with very good sightreading. With a concert on Zattere and the annual High Mass in the Basilica. Details subject to confirmation. Full information will be posted on the website www.Venice-Academy.com as soon as it is available.

The 14th Summer Academy in the wonderful Praemonstratensian Abbey of Mondaye. The main emphasis this year will be on the music of Tomas Luis de Victoria. With the return of the Art Class led by Claudia Procter, for which a separate leaflet will be available - please ask!