Education and Lecture Recitals
Music becomes vibrant and accessible when it is played and presented live. After years of extensive research James Bisgood's knowledge of historical instruments, musical forms and their context is exceptional. He spends a large part of his time involved in education work at all levels from primary school to university and has a wealth of experience having worked with hundreds of thousands of children, students and adults including special needs groups and reception classes.
Lecture recitals, adult education and entertainment
James has performed lecture recitals at some of the most prestigious national venues including the Victoria and Albert museum, the Fitzwilliam museum, the National Army Museum, the National Maritime Museum, the National Portrait Gallery, the Wallace Collection, the Museum of London and dozens of smaller regional museums and collections around the country.
His lecture recitals feature a remarkable and extraordinary collection of around fifty accurate reproductions of early musical instruments all of which he can play and demonstrate. Usually the theme is that of the renaissance period when both music and instruments were undergoing a period of transformation from mediaeval into the modern orchestral style. The lectures are witty and informative and have been presented as after dinner entertainments for Fine Art Societies, Rotary Clubs, the Women's Institute, as well as more serious studies for organisations such as the University of East Anglia, Shakespeare Institute, University of Birmingham, the Globe Theatre and the English Speaking Union. These lively, entertaining and informal talks reach a wide spectrum of people and explore not only the more esoteric aspects of music making but also ensure a great deal of laughter. His lectures at the Victoria and Albert museum have also included demonstrations of making and carving early musical instruments right beside the original examples.