About Us

Stoke Newington Early Music Festival (SNEMF) was founded by Vanessa Coode as a community event based in Stoke Newington, London, UK. The festival remains a volunteer-run, non-for-profit organisation, bringing the finest early music performers to this historic area of London. A regular feature of Stoke Newington culture over three decades, the festival has been interrupted only once, by Covid in 2020, after which it was taken forward by its current director, Rachel Stott. The festival continues its tradition of high quality traditional-style evening concerts, while also reaching out to groups less able to access them.

SNEMF promotes music from medieval times to the 19th century performed on period instruments. Programmes occasionally include 20th and 21st century works, either new compositions specifically written for period instruments, or modern works which relate stylistically to early music.

The main festival takes place in late June/early July,

Since 2022, SNEMF has been running the Early Music for Early Years series. These are weekday morning concerts for babies, pre-school children, their parents, grandparents and carers. These concerts are scheduled as part of the summer festival and also as extra events in the autumn, winter or spring.

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SNEMF's logo, designed for us by Colin Robinson in 2023, was kindly sponsored by Anthony Pinching of Pinner Music Festival. The emblem 'S' in this logo represents the serpent, a historical musical instrument which was played in court and church settings from the end of the 16th century to the mid-19th century. Hear an example of this instrument played by a marvellous 21st century exponent (YouTube).

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Friends Scheme

Friends of SNEMF contribute to the life of the festival in various ways. SNEMF organises an annual house concert for Friends and Volunteers. See more about becoming a Friend.

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We are listed on Continuo Connect:

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