Leeds Baroque Programme Notes 2000-2018

Leeds Baroque is a period instrument performance group (choir and orchestra) based in West Yorkshire directed by Peter Holman. Members are drawn from professional and

non-professional players with students from the University of Leeds School of Music and the region’s music colleges and conservatoires. Free workshops given by leaders in the field of Baroque performance practice provide training, and the funds available are used to enable members of the orchestra to perform concerts with internationally renowned soloists. Both the choir and orchestra have launched several young performers on their professional careers.

Their repertoire is wide ranging, encompassing great Baroque ‘standards’ such as Bach, Handel and Purcell but including less frequently performed works by composers of the period. Leeds Baroque is a regular contributor to the University of Leeds International Concert series (http//:concerts.leeds.ac.uk ) and in 2015 was delighted when the Vice Chancellor of the University, Sir Alan Langlands, accepted an invitation to become their Honorary Patron.

Leeds Baroque is supported by a grant from Wades Charity and an active and lively Friends organisation that provides both financial and practical assistance. The Friends have helped in the purchase of instruments for use by up-and-coming students and they frequently provide grants to cover professional fees of guest artists and the hire of performance material. Their support is greatly valued and allows Leeds Baroque to be more adventurous in its programming.