NCEM Spring Season 2025

IN THE VEINS

Sunday 26 January 2.00pm – 3.30pm
£5.00 (£2.50 for York residents | under 18 free)

Part of the 2025 York Residents Festival

In the Veins

Step into a powerful story of resilience and community with In the Veins, a moving short film from the Yorkshire and North East Film Archive. This captivating film explores the heart and history of coal-mining communities, 40 years after the 1980s Miners’ Strike.

After the screening, enjoy a rousing performance by the York RI Golden Rail Brass Band, featuring iconic music from the beloved film Brassed Off, which poignantly captures the struggles and spirit of a mining town facing pit closures.

To top it off, you’ll have the chance to try out brass band instruments yourself! Whether you’re a seasoned player or a total beginner, this is your moment to shine.

Join us for an unforgettable event full of history, music, and hands-on fun – there’s something for everyone!

LINA_

Tuesday 4 March 7.30pm
£22.00 (£20.00 concessions | £7.00 under 35)

Fado Camões

The multi-award-winning fado singer LINA_ is back with an extraordinary new album, released worldwide by the German label Galileo Music in January 2024. The album LINA_ Fado Camões has been acclaimed by national and international critics.

#1 in the World Music Charts Europe
#1 in the Transglobal World Music Charts
‘Fado Camões’ was awarded The German Record Critic’s Award as a recording of exceptional artistry
Nominated for the French Les Victoires de Jazz awards
Songlines Top Of The World Album with a 5-star review from Robin Denselow for ‘Experimental Fado at its best’.
BBC Music Magazine this month also rated the album with 5 stars

This concert features the poetry of one of Portugal’s most notable poets, Luís Vaz de Camões, adapted to traditional fado and produced by the UK’s Justin Adams (Robert Plant – Led Zeppelin, Tinariwen, Souad Massi), with arrangements by John Baggott (Massive Attack and Portishead), in a live performance with Ianina Khmelik (piano and synthesisers) and Pedro Viana (Portuguese guitar), including videos by Collective of Two, lighting design by Tela Negra (Miguel Ramos) and live sound by Marco Silva. A concert not to be missed.

UNIVERSITY OF YORK BAROQUE+ DAY

ENSEMBLE HESPERI

Saturday 8 March 12.00pm
£12.00 (£10.00 concessions | £5.00 students)

Mary-Jannet Leith recorders
Magdalena Loth-Hill baroque violin
Florence Petit baroque cello
Thomas Allery harpsichord
Claire Ward soprano

The Fund for Decay’d Musicians

In 1738 the violinist Michael Christian Festing saw two poverty-stricken young boys dragging donkeys along a busy London street. Recognising them as the sons of a fellow oboe player who had recently died, Festing was inspired to establish a ‘Fund for Decay’d Musicians’, supported by hundreds of his musical colleagues. Innovative period-instrument group Ensemble Hesperi is joined by rising-star soprano Claire Ward for a programme that celebrates the founding of this remarkable organisation, which still supports musicians in need today as the Royal Society of Musicians. Alongside stories of the men, women and children who benefited from the fund, this unique programme features chamber and vocal works by composers who signed the founding declaration, including some of the greatest musicians of the day: George Frederick Handel, Festing himself, William Boyce, Thomas Arne and John Hebden of York.

CONSORT OF VIOLS & SVES

Saturday 8 March 2.30pm
£10.00 (£8.00 concessions | £3.00 students

The Image of Melancholly

Through sad, reflective pavans and sorrowful songs, the University of York Consort of Viols and singers from the University’s master’s course in Solo Voice Ensemble Singing, led by Robert Hollingworth, reflect upon the cultural and artistic fascination with melancholia in England during the latter part of the sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries.

At the heart of the musical response to this fascination was John Dowland (Semper Dowland, semper dolens) whose extraordinary music features throughout this programme alongside sublime pieces by William Byrd, Thomas Tomkins, John Wilbye, John Ward and Anthony Holborne (it is from one of Holborne’s beautiful pavans that the title of this programme is taken). Daniel Saleeb and Fintan O’Hare, both members of the Consort of Viols, have written new works to complement this project, both of which take the Consort into previously unexplored soundscapes as they journey through doleful contemplation to enlightenment.

UNIVERSITY BAROQUE ENSEMBLE & ENSEMBLE HESPERI

Saturday 8 March 7.30pm
£14.00 (£12.00 concessions | £5.00 students)

A Musical Evening with Queen Charlotte

Join University Baroque Ensemble on International Women’s Day to celebrate the musical tastes and talents of Queen Charlotte, Consort to King George III. Charlotte, now famous in popular culture from the hit Netflix show Bridgerton, had a lifelong love of music. Not only was Charlotte an excellent harpsichordist and singer, but she also loved to organise musical events for others and to encourage young women composers and performers. Throughout her lifetime, she collected her own manuscript and printed music, much of which still survives in the British Library in beautiful bindings. This programme recreates music from Charlotte’s personal collection and by the many musicians she employed in her concerts: a symphony by JC Bach, the Queen’s beloved music master, who taught her the harpsichord; a flute concerto by Bach’s good friend Carl Abel, also a member of the Queen’s Band; a concerto grosso and cantata by Handel, whose music Charlotte and George III both loved; a keyboard and violin sonata by Jane Mary Guest, who taught Charlotte’s children the piano; Scots tunes and more, alongside readings from Queen Charlotte’s own diaries and those of her lady-in-waiting, Charlotte Papendiek.

MARTIN SIMPSON

Saturday 22 March 7.30pm
£22.00 (£20.00 concessions | £7.00 under 35)

One of England’s most revered folk performers, widely acknowledged as one of the finest acoustic and slide guitar players in the world, Martin’s interpretations of traditional songs are masterpieces of storytelling. His remarkable solo shows are intense, eclectic, spellbinding and deeply moving. Always prolific, and never one to rest long without a guitar in his hands and a song in his head, Martin Simpson continues to travel the length and breadth of the UK and beyond giving rapt audiences passion, sorrow, love, beauty, tragedy and majesty through his remarkable intimate solo performances. Martin has been nominated an astounding 32 times in the 18 years of the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards – more than any other performer – and has won numerous awards.

Martin’s new solo album, Skydancers, will be released in April 2024 on Topic Records. The album is a twin release featuring a live CD recorded on recent gigs and a studio CD including some of Martin’s absolutely favourite musicians.

Last year’s album with Nashville’s Thomm Jutz, Nothing But Green Willow : The Songs Of Mary Sands And Jane Gentry, received superlative reviews from both sides of the Atlantic. “Drizzling with Simpson’s shining guitars” The Guardian “A record of rare power and significance” 9/10 Guitarist

A virtuoso player without question, but above all Martin Simpson conveys his diverse treasure trove of material from the heart, performing with rare subtlety, intensity and honesty. A true master of his art.

“One of the virtuoso instrumentalists of the English music scene… sounds better than ever” **** The Guardian

ANTONIO FORCIONE & GIORGIO SERCI

Friday 28 March 7.30pm
£22.00 (£20.00 concessions | £7.00 under 35)

Legendary award -winning Italian acoustic guitar virtuoso – composer Antonio Forcione teams up with fellow Italian/Sardinian award-winning guitarist, composer and educator Giorgio Serci. Passionate and melodic, these are world class performers.

With his vibrant and original blend of Latin, African, jazz, and flamenco sounds, Antonio Forcione is a highly inventive performer. He has teamed up with the evocative Giorgio Serci whose natural charisma equals his originality. Both virtuosos in their field, they bring a unique and distinctive flavour to the musical world when they team up together. Be prepared to both laugh and be moved as they celebrate the unexpected elements in life with delicacy, humour and not least, passion. International tours have brought high critical acclaim from as far as Australia and Hong Kong, to Russia, the Caribbean, USA and all over Europe.

As a duo, these two musicians are not just top of their game, but the front men of their own bands. Audiences are guaranteed a powerful and dynamic show of wit, personality and musical virtuosity.

“A one-off musical sensation. Unmissable” The Scotsman

TRYPTIC

Sunday 6 April 6.30pm
£22.00 (£20.00 concessions | £7.00 under 35)

Three members of the acclaimed and much-loved band Moishe’s Bagel come together in a new project exploring a shared love of folk music. Dramatic tango meets joyful klezmer and folk-infused originals, wrapped up in irresistible jazz and Latin grooves. Violin, piano, bass, mandolin, accordion, guitar…it’s virtuoso musicianship with a whole lot of soul. This new incarnation sees three of Scotland’s most charismatic musical forces – Greg Lawson, Phil Alexander and Mario Caribé – explore diverse and uncharted musical pathways. Unleashing their unique energy and passion on a whole new set of compositions, they also set their sights on music from Armenia to Sao Paolo – with many melodic stops along the way.

HEJIRA: CELEBRATING JONI MITCHELL

Thursday 10 April 7.30pm
£24.00 (£22.00 concessions | £7.00 under 35)

Hattie Whitehead vocals & guitar
Ollie Weston tenor & soprano saxophones
Chris Eldred keyboards
Pete Oxley guitar
Dave Jones bass
Rick Finlay drums
Marc Cecil percussion

‘Hejira’ is a 7-piece band set up to celebrate and honour the masterpiece works of Joni Mitchell, mostly from the late ‘70s.

Having released the albums ‘The Hissing of Summer Lawns’, ‘Hejira’, ‘Don Juan’s Reckless Daughter’ and ‘Mingus’ (regarded as her ‘jazz period’), Joni then toured briefly with a band formed from the crème de la crème of contemporaneous jazz musicians (Metheny, Mays, Brecker, Pastorius and Alias). The tour was recorded, producing the outstanding live recording, ‘Shadows And Light’; it is from this album that the band Hejira is drawing the body of its repertoire.

Comprising highly experienced, world-class musicians, Hejira is fronted by the brilliant Hattie Whitehead who not only has – in her own way – assimilated the poise, power and beauty of Joni’s vocals, but also plays guitar with Joni’s stylistic mannerisms.

Expect an evening of the ‘great’ songs from Mitchell’s back catalogue, such as ‘Amelia’, ‘Woodstock’, ‘In France They Kiss On Main Street’, ‘Hejira’, ‘Black Crow’, ‘A Case of You’ ‘Free Man In Paris’ etc..’

‘Whitehead is one of the greatest singers I have ever heard” Jazzwise, March 2024

“Anyone who loves Joni will find these performances entrancing” Lynne Truss (best-selling author and broadcaster)

JAY PHELPS BAND: MILES DAVIS’ KIND OF BLUE

Thursday 24 April 7.20pm
Jay Phelps Band: Miles Davis’ Kind of Blue
£22.00 (£20 concessions | £7.00 under 35)

Supported by York Music Forum Jazz Ensemble 7.20pm – 7.40pm

The NCEM is delighted to collaborate with young jazz musicians across the city and to strengthen our partnership with York Music Forum. We extend our thanks to the Ronnie Scott Charitable Foundation for their support and commitment to jazz and music education.

Jay Phelps has curated an exceptional show which brings together the best of Miles Davis from 1958 and 1959.

Prior to the release of Kind of Blue, the best-selling jazz album of all time, Miles was busy in the studio, working with the same line-up of musicians: Cannonball Adderley, John Coltrane, Bill Evans, Wynton Kelly, Paul Chambers and Jimmy Cobb. In 1958, the year before Kind of Blue, the album called ’58 Miles was released and set the stage for the birth of world’s greatest jazz album of all time the following year. These albums defined the ground-breaking approach to the art of improvisation.

With four sold out shows at the Jazz Cafe already under their belt, the two sets presented by Jay Phelps features the music from ’58 Miles and Kind of Blue. To bring this to life, Jay has picked a line-up of the UK’s best!

“What Jay brings to the stage is an energy and a level of originality that is hard to find. Whether it’s a live show or one of his hybrid DJ sets, I know Jay will always deliver tenfold and leave the room in a better place than he found it. And that is priceless.” Juliet Kennedy, Founder & Director, Brick Lane Jazz Festival

FLOOK

Sunday 4 May 6.30pm
£22.00 (£20.00 concessions | under 35 tickets are sold out for this event)

Celebrating 30 years in 2025!

What began in 1995 as a ground-breaking union of musicians and instruments, has continued as a unique musical offering through one live album, four studio albums and countless outstanding performances. A new recording is due for release in early 2025. After 30 years Flook show no sign of letting-up in their brilliance, their dynamism, or their inventive flair.

The band early on evolved an inimitable trademark sound and hold fast to their rightful reputation as exceptional musical innovators; the whistles and flutes of Brian Finnegan and Sarah Allen, the guitar of Ed Boyd and the bodhran of John Joe Kelly weaving and spinning tunes rooted in tradition over precise acoustic grooves, with a rare blend of fiery technical brilliance, delicate ensemble interaction and a bold, adventurous musical imagination.

There is an ever present abundance of individual virtuosity amongst Flook’s four members, but there is also something wholly unique when this iconic Anglo-Irish band step on stage together, their playing always an intuitive, almost symbiotic, exchange between the various flutes, whistles, frets and skins. An evening and a celebration you don’t want to miss out on.

‘An absolute powerhouse, a flute and whistle-led, eight-legged jig machine. Jigs, reels and waltzes whirl by. Each as glorious as the last, the musicianship as extraordinary, the mood never any less than euphoric’ FATEA Live Review 2023

‘Never have I seen so many people so completely and utterly spellbound…the most magical of experiences‘ The Irish Post

THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA

Tuesday 6 May 7.30pm
£20.00 (£18.00 concessions | £7.00 under 35)

The 1925 silent film with live piano

Beneath the opulence of the Paris Opera House, in the darkness of the catacombs, lurks the Phantom – a lonely creature whose only comfort is the sound of the music which drifts down to him from the stage above. When a new soprano arrives, he becomes enraptured by her voice and swears to possess her at any cost…

Both a dark love story and a horror classic, The Phantom of the Opera is one of silent cinema’s most lavish achievements. Its vast sets and innovative experiments with film colour are the background for one of early horror cinema’s most striking character creations – Lon Chaney’s Phantom. Chaney experimented for two years with metal hooks, wax, putty, and paint to create the skull-like appearance which terrified audiences a century ago.

Silent film pianist Jonny Best will bring the film alive with a brand new improvised score. Join us for a hauntingly unforgettable evening and celebrate the 100th birthday of one of silent cinema’s most beautiful creations.

The Phantom of the Opera. 1925. USA, 92 minutes.
Directed by Rupert Julian. With Lon Chaney, Mary Philbin, Norman Kerry.

NCEM YOUNG COMPOSERS AWARD 2025

Thursday 15 May 7.00pm
£3.50 (free to NCEM Patrons and Friends)

Join us for the final of the Young Composers Award 2025 to hear a selection of new pieces written for The Brook Street Band.

Presented in association with BBC Radio 3 and The Brook Street Band

MATTHEW BARLEY

Sunday 18 May 6.30pm
£22.00 (£20.00 concessions | £7.00 under 35

Light Stories

with video design by YeastCulture and on-screen dance by Mavin Khoo

Tells the story of Matthew Barley’s life through music and projected imagery, narrating his search for meaning in music-making and how, in time, he came to heal past wounds.

The performance incorporates pieces by Joby Talbot, Anna Meredith, John Metcalfe and Bach with new works by Barley, connected by moments of improvisations and electronics.

Light Stories is a passionate celebration of the redemptive power of music, bringing Barley’s teenage story of trauma and recovery into the light for the first time, integrating the twin senses of seeing and hearing, music and memory, sight and sound.

Innovative video designers Yeast Culture create projected images as a vivid counterpoint to the music, evoking the darkness of trauma and its transformation into clarity and understanding.

“one of classical music’s leading mould-breakers” The Independent

SAM KELLY AND THE LOST BOYS

Saturday 7 June 7.30pm
£25.00 (£23.00 concessions | £7.00 under 35)

Don’t miss one of the UK’s most exciting folk acts! BBC Radio 2 Folk Award winner Sam Kelly leads this powerhouse band, known for electrifying performances that blend traditional tunes, original songs, and surprise rock classics. With virtuosic players on banjo, cello, whistles, melodeon, and drums, their sound is vibrant, inventive, and utterly captivating.

Praised by Seth Lakeman as “one of the best bands on the scene,” The Lost Boys deliver uplifting melodies, soaring harmonies, and jaw-dropping instrumentals—all laced with Sam’s stunning vocals and playful charm. Book now for an unforgettable night of thrilling music!

‘an assured and polished debut album which showcases a wide range of Sam Kelly’s undoubted talents as a singer/songwriter‘ Folk Radio

‘Really fabulous stuff‘ Mark Radcliffe

‘This is the album that the folk world has been awaiting… The Lost Boys is going to be huge.‘ Folking.com

OAE TOTS: SPIN, SPIN A STORY

Sunday 8 June 4.00pm
£7.00 (£4.00 under 16)

Spin, Spin a story! An enchanting story full of magic spells and much mischief … Once there lived a King and Queen in a magical forest full of wonder, laughter and song. They both decide to throw a grand party on the longest day of the year but then end up having a competition to see who can host the best party. Will their friends join them or will it all end in disaster?

OAE: THE FAIRY QUEEN

Wednesday 11 June 6.00pm
£4.00 adults | £2.00 children
Venue: Sir Jack Lyons Concert Hall

Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment

Kirsty Hopkins soprano
Simone Jonetsu Ibbett-Brown mezzo-soprano
Timothy Dickinson bass-baritone
Lynne Forbes narrator
James Redwood conductor
Hazel Gould director

The Fairy Queen is throwing a huge party. Big. Huge. You’re invited.

Welcome to The Magical Forest. As you make your way through it you’ll soon discover that the journey to The Fairy Queen’s Party is not a straightforward path. Strange things happen all around as sprites and pixies enchant and trick, but the only real obstacle is ourselves.

Composer James Redwood and writer Hazel Gould transform Henry Purcell’s Shakespeare-inspired 1692 opera into a magical new adventure for the whole family.

MARTIN TAYLOR & ALISON BURNS

Wednesday 18 June 7.30pm
£24.00 (22.00 concessions | £7.00 under 35)

When Grammy award winning guitarist Martin Taylor, who has collaborated with great singers including Peggy Lee, Martin Carthy, Jamie Cullum, Dionne Warwick and Bryn Terfel, chose to record a special duo album with a vocalist he chose the UK’s fastest rising jazz singer Alison Burns. The album, 1am, which was produced by legendary record producer Tony Platt (Bob Marley, The Who, The Rolling Stones, Buddy Guy), takes its inspiration from the Grammy award winning collaboration between Joe Pass & Ella Fitzgerald, mixing repertoire from The Great American Songbook and contemporary material.

‘Taylor is the finest British guitarist of his generation.‘ The Times

‘Burns’s voice strikes the right balance between sensitivity and power.’ HMV Choice

KAMALJEET & JAS AHLUWALIA

Sunday 22 June 6.30pm
£22.00 (£20.00 concessions | £7.00 under 35)

Absolute Focus

Kamaljeet Ahluwalia santoor
Jas Ahluwalia tabla

Working in partnership with SAA/Uk we are delighted to welcome US based husband and wife duo Kamaljeet and Jax Ahluwalia to the NCEM stage.

Students of the late Pandit Shivkumar Sharma (santoor) and Ustaad Tari Khan (tabla), this couple thrive on working across a diverse array of projects. Their portfolio includes work with Netflix, Apple TV+, Amazon and Disney. They have composed music for live theatre, cultural projects, and they strive to introduce Indian classical music to new audiences around the world.

Despite their innovative work, Kamaljeet and Jas remain deeply connected to their Indian classical roots. They continue to perform in Indian classical concerts across the globe, taking audiences on a journey from meditative introspection to dazzling energy-filled heights.

‘…engaging and incredibly energetic…stellar performers!‘ Rajib Karmakar Artistic Director Los Angeles International Music and Arts Academy