Evening Talk: A Merry Noyse at Christmas
Tuesday 8 December | 7pm–9pm
Back by popular request, A Merry Noyse returns to help us welcome the Christmas season with an enchanting evening of historical festive music.
What did a town sound like 500 years ago? Before radios, recordings and concert halls, towns had their own soundtrack, and music was central to everyday life as well as festive occasions like Christmas. For over four centuries, official town musicians known as the ‘Town Waits’ marked the hours, welcomed royal visitors, accompanied civic celebrations and filled streets, marketplaces and churches with music.
Through a fascinating presentation of historical seasonal music, A Merry Noyse will explore the world of the Town Waits and the civic bands that followed them, revealing what their music can tell us about everyday life, civic pride, entertainment and social change from the medieval period to the dawn of the modern age. Combining historical insight with live performance, this special festive event offers a unique glimpse into the sounds of Christmas from another age.
Whether you're a lover of music, history, or simply looking to begin the festive season in style, A Merry Noyse promises an entertaining and atmospheric evening filled with seasonal cheer.