We need to raise £7,000 by the 19th of October to build three trumpet marines and re-imagine an astonishing 17th-century musical event.
The Society of Strange and Ancient Instruments champions rare and exotic instruments from past centuries and our performance projects celebrate a musical heritage which includes extraordinary and unexpected sights and sounds. Since 2010 we've performed in over 70 venues and festivals, made two CDs and been heard frequently on national radio. We're now embarking on our most ambitious project yet and we'd love your help in getting it off the ground!
The Society of Strange and Ancient Instruments is on a mission to revive THE TRUMPET MARINE, a towering, single-stringed instrument with a host of resonating or sympathetic strings. It was a trumpet-substitute for nuns and an unusual vehicle for virtuosic musical display in the late 17th and early 18th century, later joining other exotic instruments that captured the imagination of amateur and professional musicians. It fell out of circulation in the late 18th century and has rarely been seen or heard since then, despite its magnificent sound and appearance.
We already own one of these beauties and we want to commission three more to be made by master luthier, Shem Mackey. Four multi-instrumentalists from The Society of Strange and Ancient Instruments will learn to play them with virtuosity and elan, and then re-imagine a performance advertised in the London Gazette in 1674 : A Rare Concert of four Trumpets Marine, in the Fleece Tavern, near St James’s, every day in the week, except Sundays. We'll transcribe and arrange 17th-century music for trumpet marine ensemble and other combinations of exotic musical instruments, and we'll commission new works to be written for this unique line-up. It will be the first time in 345 years that four trumpet marines have been heard together! The performance will be toured to venues, festivals, pubs and other more unusual performance settings. We will also record a CD, offer trumpet marine workshops and create a dedicated website. We can't wait!
But first we need to get funding in place and would love your help.
We are applying to the Arts Council for a grant to cover most of the research and development costs of the project, but they won't fund it outright. To make the most convincing case in our application, we need to raise £7000 in the next few days.
HELP US SHOW THE ARTS COUNCIL THAT WE MEAN BUSINESS!
We have the maker ready to make the instruments and we have festivals committed to hosting performances.
But time is running out...
Our crowdfunding appeal closes on the 19th of October.
So PLEASE DONATE now!
We’ve dreamt up some special Rewards to help you to get to know the trumpet marine including:
- Meet the Maker
- Sneak-peak: first chance to hear 4 tromba marinas in ensemble together for 343 years (attend a rehearsal)
- A private Skype tromba marina demonstration
- A Tromba Marina lesson - instrument provided (for the lesson only!)
- Name one of our three brand new tromba marinas - with the name to be included on an inscription inside the instrument
And if you can help us to spread the word (and the joy!) on Twitter, Facebook and email it would be wonderful.
WE ARE REALLY GRATEFUL FOR YOUR SUPPORT.
The Society of Strange and Ancient Instruments is now a charity. Tick the gift aid box to make your donation go further.
Find out more about The Society of Strange and Ancient Instruments by visiting our website.
This is our first crowdfunding campaign and we couldn't do it without help. Special thanks to Clare Norburn, Aidan Hendrickse, Shem Mackey, the fabulous Society performers, Bill, Anna and Rachel Salaman, Brian Jones, Jan Hendrickse and YOU - our supporters!