The three-day course, to be held at Ballacottier School in Douglas, is aimed at instrumentalists who are sufficiently experienced to sight-read on instruments of the Renaissance and early baroque period one-to-a-part, or to hold a line in vocal music. At the time of writing details of the works to be studied were not available, but the organisers suggest they will be carefully chosen to suit members of the course.

The tutor will be Philip Thorby, a Senior Fellow of Trinity College of Music, London and well known as a performer, teacher and conductor of Renaissance and baroque music. Following assembly on Friday 28 September, the course will get under way with an early evening session. The two following days will be devoted to tutorials, ending on Sunday evening with a performance of some of the music studied.

The fee is £45 (a reduced fee of £24.50 is available to retired pensioners and those on supplementary benefits), which includes tuition, the provision of music and light refreshments. Further details are available from www.earlymusic.co.im/earlymusicformann.htm