A free community concert series in York has been awarded funding for three more years.
The National Centre for Early Music and Explore York Libraries and Archives are delighted to announce that the NCEM has received a three-year funding package from The John Feldberg Foundation.
This will ensure that the popular Baroque Around the Books concert series can continue in the city’s libraries and will expand into the East Riding Libraries.
Baroque Around the Books is a series of free, informal and accessible performances presented in York’s community libraries, bringing high-quality Early Music to audiences across the city in a familiar community setting.
Funding from The John Feldberg Foundation will ensure that Baroque Around the Books continues until the end of 2028.
Baroque Around the Books began in 2024 and has featured musicians of the highest calibre who also perform on stage at the National Centre for Early Music.
This year’s concerts will be performed by The Portrait Players, an all-female UK-based ensemble bringing 17th and 18th century music to modern audiences and who will be appearing the York Early Christmas Festival.
Other artists who have taken part are: Dowland’s Foundry*,* setting Shakespeare to music by Elizabethan composers;Intesa, European musicians who combine the sound of the viol with the voice; and* Flutes and Frets*, who performed at our first series in March 2024.
The concerts have played to enthusiastic audiences and become an important part of the libraries’ work. Baroque Around the Books not only provides a wonderful community cultural experience but also a development opportunity for the NCEM’’s emerging ensembles to learn new skills in engaging with audiences. The workshops provide the communities of York with a unique opportunity to celebrate and discover Early Music.
Cherry Fricker, executive director, National Centre for Early Music said: “We are very grateful to The John Feldberg Foundation for providing the funding to deliver this wonderful community experience in partnership with Explore York Libraries and Archives.
“This three-year support enables the National Centre for Early Music to continue sharing the extraordinary array of talent within the UK’s vibrant Early Music scene with communities across York, whilst reinforcing our ongoing commitment to supporting, encouraging and nurturing the skills of emerging artists in the UK and beyond.”
Dave Fleming, creative producer for Explore York added: “Baroque Around the Books demonstrates the vital role libraries play as community and cultural spaces.
“These performances bring high-quality live music into welcoming, accessible settings, creating memorable experiences for our communities.
“One of the joys of the programme is seeing people call in to borrow a book and leave having discovered an exceptional live performance. We’re delighted that this successful partnership will continue for another three years.”
Baroque Around the Books 2026 will take placeMonday 7 and Tuesday 8 December. Find out more at the National Centre for Early Music website.
