Line-up 2025
Ensemble Ypotryll
Music from the Middle Ages
Ypotryll presents medieval European music, both sung and instrumental, dating from around the 13th to 15th centuries focusing chiefly on secular, non-liturgical music. Named after a mythical medieval monster, Ypotryll’s three members all sing and play instruments but most of the time Karen Jones sings soprano, whilst Rachel Tedd and Simon Pickard play various musical instruments that would have been used in this period such as psaltery, dulcimer, medieval harp, vielle, citole and recorder.
Alongside some of our favourite English and French medieval song, our programme this year will include music from the 15th century Czech Codex Speciálník, a drinking song from the 12th century Carmina Burana manuscript, and a love lament, accompanied by clavicembalon and dulcimer, from the 14th century French composer Guillaume de Machaut.
Julian McNamara
Organ recital
Julian McNamara was born in Hull, Yorkshire, and received his early musical training there and as a music scholar at Ampleforth College. Three organ scholarships followed: at St Michael’s College, Tenbury; New College, Oxford; and Manchester Cathedral. Whilst at Manchester he undertook postgraduate studies at the Royal Northern College of Music, winning the prestigious Alice Shawcross Prize for his final recital. He concluded his post-graduate organ studies at the Geneva Conservatoire, at the same time holding posts as Organist and Choirmaster at Holy Trinity Church, and as Musical Director of the Geneva Amateur Operatic Society. After Geneva he returned to Manchester to become Assistant Organist at the Cathedral. In addition to the usual assistant’s duties he founded the Manchester Cathedral Girls’ Choir, and he taught the organ and academic music at Chetham’s School of Music. He went on to be Director of Music at St Edward’s School, Oxford, and at the Oratory School, Woodcote, before moving to Downside School and Abbey as Director of Music, Organist and Master of the Schola Cantorum. Engagements as an organist, conductor or ABRSM examiner have taken him throughout western and eastern Europe, and to South Africa, Russia, China and Hong Kong. He has made several broadcasts on BBC Television, and on Radios 2, 3 and 4, and is a published composer and arranger.
Ensemble Bonaterra
Madrigals — A Guided Tour
Ensemble Bonaterra is a group of singers who meet occasionally in the Good Earth restaurant in Wells to sip coffee and sing madrigals informally. Several of us are also members of the Swan Singers chamber choir.
Some of us ascend Ebbor Gorge early in the morning of May Day, pausing to sing madrigals en route, much to the puzzlement of the local birdlife.
Wells City Band
Playing a variety of pieces this brass band is sure to entertain
Formed in 1839 Wells City Band is considered one of the oldest brass bands in the country. It has been serving the community of Wells for over 180 years, performing at the City’s important civic occasions and events as well as in local care homes, on the Wells bandstand and traditional carolling. Wells City Band is a non-contesting friendly band, open to all ages to join and carries on the long tradition of young people performing alongside adults in enjoying quality making music and developing their brass playing potential to the full.
Since Paul Denegri joined as our musical director the band has reached new musical heights and 2023 saw the band embark on high-profile performances among others, opening the bill for the Glastonbury Extravaganza, a tribute concert to the great trumpet player John Wilbraham who played with the band and sellout concerts in Cedars Hall where we are the resident brass band. A full series of exciting concerts are also lined up for this year.
In 2023 we launched the Wells City Brass Academy which provides a wonderful learning opportunity for beginners of all ages, players under grade 4, or those returning to playing after a reak. Since then, over 40 people have started making music with us. For more information on joining the Academy or the main band, our forthcoming concerts or anything else please see our website
Class Act Jazz with Alison Bell
