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PROJECT DESCRIPTION

This educational project focusing on works of Purcell, Blow and Locke will involve student singers and instrumentalists
working side-by-side with professionals from Instruments of Time and Truth on the presentation of this extraordinary
repertoire.

We are applying for funding towards our Developing Talent Programme, which is designed to provide opportunities for
young musicians to experience professional rehearsals and performances and to learn directly from established historical
performers, through workshops, masterclasses and side-by-side projects. We have held four previous side-by-side projects (Divine Music - Odes by Blow and Purcell, 2022, ‘Schutz@350’, 2023, Harmonious Siren - the vocal music of Cozzolani, 2024, 'Monteverdi's Laboratory', February 2025).

Our previous side-by-side projects have received glowing feedback from participating emerging singers. Below we include feedback from participants:

‘I enjoyed being in a smaller/fewer-per-part ensemble than I am used to, and having to get into the music in just a short
space of time.’ ‘Schütz350’ Participant

“There was a lot of attention to detail, and the quality of the band, as well as the ability of Chris and Miriam, was inspiring.” ‘Divine Music’ participant

Following on from the success of IT&T’s previous side-by-side projects, we are now planning a project focussing on the rich seam of vocal/instrumental music written for performance in Oxford during the seventeenth century by the likes of
Matthew Locke and John Blow, paring these with the undeniable brilliance of Henry Purcell. Several of these pieces have not been performed since the seventeenth century and so will also be modern day premieres. This period of English vocal repertoire was a golden era in the history of English music, and offers rich learning possibilities for how a musician might develop all their skills to find technical and emotional finesse.

Harpsichordist and conductor, Christopher Bucknall will again work alongside soprano Miriam Allan, together exploring the possibilities of musical and textual expression in this extraordinary music. These young performers will work intensively on this repertoire which offers the opportunity for both ensemble sections and extensive solo lines, so that it will be possible for them to develop both ensemble musicianship and soloistic abilities.

Educational Impact for the students:
It’s difficult to teach professionalism; to teach style; to teach interaction between voices or between voices and instruments. Experience is, therefore, invaluable for emerging singers and instrumentalists - especially for those looking to build a career which incorporates early music. Side-by-side projects like ours give glimpses into the professional world, allowing student musicians to literally stand with skilful, professional musicians, demonstrating beyond a lecture or singing lesson how ornamentation evolves or how you work with other performers in a group.