Concerts

Wherever possible we illustrate our programmes with quotations from contemporary sources. The musical content may include anthems, Psalms, hymns, catches, glees, carols, dances and marches and there is often an opportunity to join in a round or chorus. Short programmes last one hour and Long programmes consist of two 45-50 minute sections with an interval. A short programme can be followed by country dancing to our band and caller. Concert programmes are continually evolving, and are summarised below:

"Sound up the tune, Neighbours"  Nelson  Harvest  Changing Scenes  Sea  Christmas  Hardy  Wesley  Watts  Cobbett  Wellington

"Sound up the tune, neighbours" : Village Music from Hampshire. The choir leader said these words to the band, which then played a short phrase to set the key before they sang each piece. In this programme we draw exclusively on music by Hampshire composers, or in Hampshire manuscripts, or collected from Hampshire people, and anecdotes from Hampshire sources. Our earliest pieces come from organists of Winchester Cathedral and College who composed anthems suitable for country choirs. Composers were also active in Andover, Heckfield, Lymington, and Portsmouth, and their printed books are in the British Library. Manuscripts survive from Bramley, Hannington, Nether Wallop and Winchester. Barrel organs in Avington and Stratfield Saye confirm the use of several tunes. Some of the music is more widely known, but some belongs very much to Hampshire. Hampshire hymn writers Isaac Watts and Anne Steele are represented. George Gardiner collected many songs in Hampshire in the early 1900s. [details]

Harvest – Long or Short programme This is a light-hearted look at harvest celebrations through the eyes of farmer’s wife Ann Hughes in 1796. It includes dances by members of The Madding Crowd and songs with audience participation. The short programme is often presented after a Harvest Supper. [details]

Through all the Changing Scenes of Life – Long programme We travel through the year with our village band and choir touching on some of the festivals and events in church and village. We teach a wedding round, audiences are invited to participate in other items and members of The Madding Crowd perform a dance. [details] This programme is not being offered in 2008, but we suggest the Hardy programme as similarly light-hearted.

Sea – Short programme This programme looks at the influence of the sea and war on the life of villages and villagers in the late 18^th and early 19^th centuries. Enjoy stories of smugglers and pressed men, and join us in patriotic songs. [details]

Nelson – Long programme Celebrate with us Nelson’s finest hour! For the 200^th anniversary year of the Battle of Trafalgar, we developed a special programme with quotations from Nelson and from the men who served with him, and rousing anthems and patriotic songs, not forgetting the magnificent state funeral. [details]

Christmas – Long programme Our Christmas programme is available from 1^st December to 6^th January. Meet the parsons of the time and find out how they celebrated Christmas, as we perform the carols, psalms and anthems they heard sung.  Find out about some of the Christmas customs and join in with a carol and a Christmas song. [details]

Hardy – Short or Long programme Thomas Hardy’s family were members of a church band in Dorset and Hardy takes a nostalgic look at village life of that time. We combine Hardy’s own words with the music he mentions, some from his own family manuscripts. This programme includes a dance by members of the Madding Crowd and there are opportunities to join the singing. [details]

The Wesleys – Long programme John Wesley understood that singing hymns was a powerful tool to move people spiritually. We celebrate the life and achievements of John and Charles, quoting extensively from John’s journals. We invite you to join us in singing some of the old Methodist hymns. This programme is particularly suitable for Methodist audiences.

Isaac Watts – Long programme The theme of our programme is "The Ubiquitous Isaac Watts", for everywhere we have researched our kind of music we have found Watts’ words. We show the variety of tunes setting his words, and illustrate them with incidents from his life.

William Cobbett – Long or Short programme We concentrate on William Cobbett’s life in Hampshire, his farming exploits, his great love of traditional country sports like single-sticks and his influential and passionately expressed ideas in the Political Register. Join in the chorus of Rule Britannia and enjoy the dance performed by members of The Madding Crowd. [details]

With Wellington we'll go - Short programme We look at the Duke of Wellington's roles in Hampshire, at Stratfield Saye, as Lord Lieutenant, and as Freeman of WInchester. Music includes Hymns and Psalms connected with events in his life, and glees and songs written or performed in his honour. This programme will be available later also as a long programme with the Wellington 2015 anniversary in mind. [details]

Workshops

A typical workshop runs from mid-morning until late afternoon, allowing people to travel the same day. A selection of metrical Psalms and hymns, an anthem, responses, canticles, perhaps carols and folk songs, will be printed and comb-bound to suit your needs. Music is usually in four parts, SATB, accompanied by woodwind and strings. Music can be provided for transposing instruments. Brass instruments are OK in moderation, but sometimes overpowering. English concertinas can play the music in good hands. Anglos, melodeons, guitars and keyboards are less suitable. Instrumentalists should be Grade IV or above. Our musical director has run many workshops all over the country, some culminating in an Evensong or showcase concert.

The workshop can be in a church or hall. It should be warm enough, with plenty of chairs, toilets and a kitchen for beverages. A nearby pub can provide lunches, or people can be asked to bring food. We often bring food to share.

Shorter workshops can be run as part of another event, perhaps a folk festival. These are typically 90 minutes, and give a taste of our music with about six choral items, usually supported by experienced singers and players.

We have a large collection of band music, and have provided the occasional purely instrumental workshop.

Contact our musical director to discuss your needs, as each workshop is unique.

Our band and choir have led the singing at Matins, Evensong, Communion, Baptism, Wedding, Patronal and Harvest Festival Services. The primary considerations are the worship and congregational participation. The music sits most happily in the Book of Common Prayer forms of service, with which it was contemporary. The Madding Crowd will normally be in costume.

Matins and Evensong music usually includes congregational Hymns, metrical Psalm(s) for the day, Responses, Canticles, an Anthem and a Voluntary. Since our band provides instrumental accompaniment, an organ is not needed.

We can provide dancing to our band and caller, for your wedding festivities.

Contact our musical director to discuss your needs, as each service is unique.

Going the Rounds at Stinsford with the Thomas Hardy Society is an experience not to be missed, a chance to follow in the footsteps of the old Mellstock Band as described by Thomas Hardy in Under the Greenwood Tree. Next in December 2010.

A Village Wedding of about 1820  This light hearted re-creation starts with a parade to the service, which is followed by dancing, singing and games such as "jumping in sacks" and "jingles", in which you are all invited to join. One highlight is the tug of war. Games are especially fun for families with children. This programme is very flexible, lasting from about two to four hours depending on your requirements. We have presented this at English Heritage sites, and as part of village fetes.