Folkestone Early Music (FEM) was founded by the viol player Asako Morikawa. In 2024, following Asako’s departure to Japan, the Baroque violinist Walter Reiter took over as Artistic Director.

The aim of FEM is to bring Early Music to the people of the Folkestone area through professional concerts, workshops, educational activity in schools and fringe events in restaurants and pubs.

Concerts take place in various locations in the town, notably in The Green Room at The Grand Hotel https://thegreenroomfolkestone.co.uk an historic hotel once visited by both royalty and notable musicians such as Sir Edward Elgar, and at The Parish Church of St Mary and St Eanswythe, founded around the middle of the seventh century.

FEM’s resident Early Music group is the Folkestone Baroque Ensemble, consisting of musicians who live in the area: Lisete da Silva Bull (recorders and traverso), Henrik Persson (baroque cello and viola da gamba), Robin Walker (harpsichord) and Walter Reiter (baroque violin).

It is hoped that FEM will host monthly events during its first season 2024-25.