Workshop - Blondel
St Mary's Church, Banbury, OX16 0AA
Sunday 27th September 2026
Explore some of the most popular tunes of the 14th-16th centuries with members of Blondel Medieval & Renaissance wind band.
"Cover Story" is Blondel's ongoing project exploring the ways in which music was transmitted, reworked & repurposed in the 14th-16th centuries. During this period we can find examples of melodies that occur in manuscripts found across Europe and over the course of decades. Some remain remarkably unchanged in multiple sources. Others turn up with new words, either through translation, or altered context, such as secular to sacred. Popular folk songs formed the basis for complex counterpoint or dazzling instrumental ornamentation.
In this workshop Blondel band members Emily Baines & Belinda Paul will each introduce you to a collection of arrangements of one of these tunes. Together we will explore how they developed over time from one composer to the next.
All historical instruments are welcome. You will need a basic level of sight reading. Pitch A=440. Please bring your own music stand.
"Cover Story" is Blondel's ongoing project exploring the ways in which music was transmitted, reworked & repurposed in the 14th-16th centuries. During this period we can find examples of melodies that occur in manuscripts found across Europe and over the course of decades. Some remain remarkably unchanged in multiple sources. Others turn up with new words, either through translation, or altered context, such as secular to sacred. Popular folk songs formed the basis for complex counterpoint or dazzling instrumental ornamentation.
In this workshop Blondel band members Emily Baines & Belinda Paul will each introduce you to a collection of arrangements of one of these tunes. Together we will explore how they developed over time from one composer to the next.
All historical instruments are welcome. You will need a basic level of sight reading. Pitch A=440. Please bring your own music stand.
