The Penticton Academy of Music is offering a special chance for people to enjoy the Leir House gardens, have a glass of wine and be introduced to music from the 16th Century with an Early Music Garden party.
Audience is a big part of the event. Guests who can read a little music and like to sing or play an instrument will have lots of opportunities to join in a variety of songs. Guests who aren’t ready to sing can simply enjoy the music.
Tracy Stuchbery, artistic director at the Penticton Academy of Music, will lead the madrigals and choral music by composers such as William Byrd, Jacques Arcadelt and Thomas Morley, who wrote the whimsical and fun madrigal, Now is the Month of Maying, which inspired the event.
“Most of this kind of music is relatively easy to pick up and sing,” said Stuchbery. “It was popular music, sung by all kinds of people to open meetings or public gatherings, and wasn’t really meant to be formally performed. It’s perfect for a garden party.”
The Early Music Garden Party takes place on May 25 from 7:30 to 9 p.m., at Leir House, 220 Manor Park Ave. Admission is by donation to the Academy of Music bursary fund. For more information, call 250-493-7977 or email info@pentictonacademyofmusic.ca.