SoHIP - A
23-Year History Of Early Music In New England
The
Society for Historically Informed Performance (SoHIP), was formed by
members of the local early music community in anticipation of the 1987
Boston Early Music Festival. The Festival, with its substantial media
presence and internationally renowned performers, made audiences in the
Boston area more aware of early music than ever before, yet it was very
difficult for all but a handful of New England’s finest players to find
suitable opportunities to perform. Hoping to build on the enthusiasm
generated by the Festival, members of seven groups collaborated that
summer to produce a concert series to showcase the many talented early
musicians residing in the Boston area. Their purpose was not only to
share in the work and the expenses (committing to a regular schedule,
producing a flyer, advertising, etc.), but also to give a helping hand
to other groups that were trying to get a start in the field. The Board
of Directors consisted of performing musicians who lent their time and
expertise to the endeavor. The work of putting on the concert series
was shared (i.e., one group “hosted” a concert while another
performed). When SoHIP obtained its nonprofit status and generous
friends began to make donations, it was clear the SoHIP Summer Concert
Series would continue.
Many
things have changed throughout the years, but not the board's
dedication to locating and presenting the finest emerging and
established local early music artists. Some recent changes include:
- We have moved our Wednesday night concerts to a beautiful new venue
(complete with Tiffany stained glass windows!) at the Chapel at West
Parish in Andover.
- Our board has taken on additional members, both musicians and non-musicians,
and is constantly improving its ability to manage a growing network
of artists;
- We have received grants from the local cultural councils in both
Weston and Andover
As our 23rd anniversary
approaches, it is important to note that, to date, SoHIP has presented
358 concerts featuring over 75 different ensembles. A number of groups
and individuals who participated in the Summer Concert Series have gone
on to become virtual household names in the early music community --
The King’s Noyse, Ken Pierce Baroque Dance Company, Musicians
of the Old Post Road, Liber Unusualis, Pamela Dellal, Ellen Hargis,
Fred Jodry, Pamela Murray, Peter Bloom, Olav Chris Henriksen, Roxanne
Layton, Carol Lewis, Sarah Mead, Robert Mealy, Scott Metcalfe, Roy Sansom,
Peter Sykes, John Tyson, Emily Walhout — and the list goes on
and on.
We are very proud to
have been able to provide quality performance opportunities for up-and-coming
and established New England early music groups for the past twenty years.
As we look to the future, we are as committed as ever to sharing our
love of early music with Boston area audiences. We hope you will attend
one of our concerts and find out why.

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