saturday 2 may 2026
Baroque and Renaissance Instrument Discovery Day
explore, hear and play!
In celebration of a recent bequest of Baroque and Renaissance instruments St Mary’s Music School is opening its doors on Saturday 2nd May 1.10pm – 6pm, to anyone who would like to learn about, hear, try to play, or share expertise in, early wind, brass and stringed instruments (viols and vielle). The afternoon is run in partnership with Dunedin Consort and is led by their specialist musicians Amelia Shakespeare and Lucia Capellaro. There will be a series of presentations, demonstrations, and opportunities to have a go on the instruments. There will also be a parallel path for those who already play, to bring their instruments, and meet and play with others, including coaching sessions from Lucia and Amelia.
Suitable for anyone aged 15 years of age and above, no musical experience is necessary.
Date: Saturday 2 May 2026
Where: St Mary's Music School
Entry is free but registration is required. Please register below.
register here
General Programme:
- 1.10pm - Registration (Main Entrance)
- 1.30pm - General presentation (Chapel) everyone: introduction to the instruments, how they work, and their historic music context, including demonstrations of the instruments being played by Amelia and Lucia.
- 2.10pm - Break into two groups; Strings with Lucia and Winds with Amelia.
- Approaches to playing Part 1: This session will share more detailed information about the instruments and their context, how they are played, and what music they might play.
- 2.40pm - Break
- 3:00pm – 5:00pm - Approaches to playing Part 2: Have a go at playing yourself! Remaining in the strings and winds groupings, there will be an opportunity for anyone who wishes to, to have a go at playing the instruments. Strings will use a consort of viols, and winds will use a mixture of instruments. There will be 15-minute sign-up slots to ensure those who want to have a chance to take their turn in trying to play whilst the rest of the group are welcome to observe.
Alternative Programme - Parallel path for those who already play:
- 1.10pm - Registration (Main Entrance)
- 1.30pm - General presentation (Chapel) everyone: introduction to the instruments, how they work, and their historic music context, including demonstrations of the instruments being played by Amelia and Lucia.
- 2.10pm - Break into two groups; Strings with Lucia and Winds with Amelia.
- Approaches to playing Part 1: This session will share more detailed information about the instruments, how they are played, and what music they might play.
- 2.40pm - 5:00pm - Participants can either take part in the activities listed above or choose to meet with other existing players and chat or play. There will be rooms available for this. Please bring an instrument, as our instruments will be in use during this time.
- 5:00pm - 6:00pm - Coaching clinic from Lucia and Amelia: Lucia and Amelia will meet the existing players and, depending on the group of participants, be available to offer advice, coaching, or answer questions. Our limited number of instruments will be available for this session.
