• The Ashford Baroque Ensemble is a mainly modern instrument ensemble made up of professional, semi-professional and good amateur players. (Keywords: baroque orchestra / London / group / amateur / early music group / Surrey / Berkshire / South East England, / South West London, / UK)
  
• Players who are grade 8 standard or above are invited to apply. We are looking for players with enthusiasm for the style, good intonation and musicality and good sight reading.
  
  
• Currently we have vacancies for the following instruments: Violin, Double Bass/Violone.
  We are always pleased to hear from other instrumentalists as well, as extras are needed from time to time. We would be particularly interested to hear from players with Baroque wind instruments, and from experienced players who could not promise a regular commitment, but would be prepared to play from time to time. There are no fees to join.
  
  
• We rehearse at St Matthew's Church, Ashford, Middlesex, fortnightly on Monday evenings from 7.30 - 9.30. 
  Formed in September 2005, we are a mainly modern instrument Baroque ensemble, although we aim for an ‘authentic’ playing style. However, many of our string players have Baroque bows, and we do sometimes tune down a semitone to Baroque pitch - for example when we have music for strings only, or when Baroque wind instruments are available. In most concerts we perform trio sonatas and other smaller scale works along with concertos and sinfonias. We have recently extended our scope to include vocal and choral music, which provides our audiences with even more variety. We also stretch the Baroque period as far as it will go, sometimes including late Renaissance style pieces at one end, and early Classical at the other.
  
  
• About our Director: Philip Buckmaster gained an honours degree at the Colchester Institute School of Music, where Peter Holman (of The Parley of Instruments) was the resident early music lecturer. He studied the organ, piano, harpsichord, violin, singing, composing and conducting. He then followed a specialist course for music teachers at Kingston University, and now enjoys a varied career in and around London, playing, teaching, directing, composing and arranging. He has always had a keen interest in Baroque music and its performance. Well known locally, he is also Director of Music at St Matthew's, and Conductor of Feltham Choral Society.
  
  
• Site last updated: 18/11/2008
  
  
• Listen to excerpts taken from our concerts:
  1.   Bach - excerpt from Suite in B minor - Badinerie
  2.   Bach -excerpt from Suite in B minor - Ouverture
  3.   Couperin - excerpt from Septieme Concert - Prelude
  4.   Couperin - excerpt from Septieme Concert - Allemande 
  5.   Vivaldi - excerpt from Concerto in D minor for Flute, Violin & Bassoon - Largo
• Note: If clicking these links doesn't work on your computer, you can right click, choose "Save Target As...", select a folder to save in, and download the file. You will then be able to play it. (You can then delete the file after use.)
  
  
• Please e-mail info@ashfordbaroque.org.uk or phone 020 8751 5315 if you are interested in joining us.
  Please note that we do not normally employ soloists from outside the ensemble.
  
  
• Click here to download a publicity leaflet (in pdf format) including directions on how to get to rehearsals.
  

Forthcoming Performances

Saturday 6th December, 2008: 7.00pm

Handel - Messiah with Feltham Choral Society

Soloists: Christine Brown, Patricia Hammond, Peter Di Toro & Jon Saunders

St Dunstan's Church, St Dunstan's Road, Feltham. TW13 4JY

Tickets: £9 (concessions £7) in advance, or £10 (concessions £8) on the door. Available from 020 8890 0238

Wine & soft drinks available in the interval.

Have Baroque Ensemble, will travel!

Would you like us to come and perform in your church or other venue?

We have our own music stands and harpsichord. All we require is chairs (without arms) and space for about 15-20 players to be seated, and a fee of £300. Occasionally this amount is exceeded if extra players need to be brought in for any large works you might want us to play, or if your venue is far away. Any amount you raise above this you can use how you wish. We suggest a ticket price of £7-10 for a concert, which means that after the first 30-43 people, you make a profit!

Works Performed

Do you need an accompaniment for your choir?

We are also available to choirs seeking an historically informed Baroque accompaniment at modern or Baroque pitch. Fees are negotiable. (We have also been known to play a bit of Mozart & Haydn!)

We can play for your Wedding or other function!

Usually a small section of the ensemble will play. Minimum 3 players, but 4 or more is recommended for variety. Competitive rates!

Related links:

St Matthew's Church