First Period
Choose either an early music ensemble or a folk group. These classes are sorted by level, and meet for all three days.

Folk:
Tune Intensive (Buda/Stewart)
In true folk style, we are here to bring you a plethora of enticing new tunes fit for session playing, solo sets, and personal enjoyment. Teachers will bring tunes from their areas of expertise to share with you and will discuss style, technique, tempo, and feel. Tunes are the bedrock of the traditional music, and we will dive into learning and discussion in each of the Tune Intensive classes. Who doesn’t love a good tune?!
The tune intensive classes are every morning and will be divided by ability level in LEARNING BY EAR, not ability on your instrument of choice. All levels and instruments welcome.

Early:
Consort Intensive (Kimball/O’Brien)
We’ll focus on the consort technique and ensemble skills needed to get the most out of Renaissance ensemble music. Consorts will be divided by level. Geared toward Renaissance consort instruments such as recorders and viols, but open to other ensemble-friendly instruments as well. If you have any questions, just ask!


Fourth Period

Fiber time! This year’s 4th period topic is “How to Distaff: an ancient tool for the modern spinner”. At this workshop you’ll make a ring distaff and learn how to use it with your modern spinning tools of choice! Wool, wire, and spindles will be provided, but you’re welcome to bring your own supplies if you’re already a spinner. Beginning spinners encouraged and welcome! If you’ve never spun before, try it for a few days. If you’re an accomplished spinner, try some new methods and learn a bit more fiber history. If spinning isn’t your thing, join us anyway and work on your own crafty pursuits or the group projects we’re cooking up!

2nd Period AND 3rd Period

Folk:
Folk Ensemble (Buda/Stewart)
One big, happy, folky family! In the folk ensemble, expect to learn new songs and tunes from the Celtic Nations and Appalachia. We will focus on working together and learning and strengthening the skills you need to arrange music and perform cooperatively as an ensemble. 2nd period will be divided into two classes and third period we will all work together!

Early:
Friday Collegium (Kimball/O’Brien)
We’ll experience some of the big, luscious double choir pieces that are perfect for big groups. For 2nd period we’ll divide into two groups by level, and then all come together in 3rd period for that big full sound. Open to voices and most instruments (please inquire if you aren’t sure; solid reading skills required).

Evening Activity:
Lecture, Molly Jones-Lewis: “Roman Woolwork Unspun, or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Distaff”

What happens when a Roman historian who knows how to spin tries to do an accurate demonstration for her Roman World class? And what can her discoveries do for your crafting toolkit? Come on a sheep-to-loom adventure in which we talk about how to use art, archaeology, ancient authors, and some rather stinky projects to understand the world of ancient clothmakers.

2nd Period

Harp 101 (Stewart):
“I always wanted to play the harp!” If you’ve ever thought it might be fun to try, this is your chance! This class will be for VERY beginning harp players. Class size is limited due to the availability of instruments, but we have harps and we need people to play them! This class will focus on establishing a good fundamental harp technique and trying your hand at something new.

Interpreting Scottish Pipe Music (Buda):
The tradition of Scottish bagpipe music is a deep well and a resource for musicians the world over. This class is meant to demystify the majestic tunes of the Scottish pipes and make them accessible and enjoyable for all instruments. We will look at the pipe’s unique ornamentation and what it is that makes the music sound like “pipe music” on all instruments. Tunes will be explored by ear and with music, looking at fine details but also striving for an overall picture and understanding of this great music.

Consonance and Dissonance in Renaissance England (Kimball/O’Brien): Dissonance creates delicious drama and tension and it’s oh-so-satisfying when it resolves – or surprising when it doesn’t resolve the way you think! In this session we’ll savor some juicy chromaticism from Byrd, Tallis, and their contemporaries. This topic will be divided by level, and is open to recorders, viols, and other consort-friendly instruments. 


3rd Period

Cultural Sampler Pack (Buda/Stewart):
Folk traditions are integral to our heritage, and this class is here to bring you an incredible sample of music from a number of European folk traditions. Whether it is for dance, special occasions, songs of immigration or change, folk music is there to be the voice of the people. Come enjoy this introduction to multiple folk genres, find what appeals to you as a player, and simply learn about some new tunes and elements of “trad” cultures.
This topic will be split into two sections by level.

Renaissance Style Sampler (Kimball/O’Brien):
What’s the difference between a madrigal and a motet? What does a fantasia have in common with a galliard? We’ll cover a selection of Renaissance pieces from different genres and regions, and explore what they have in common and what makes them unique. This class will be taught in two sections by level, and is suitable for recorders, viols, voices (solid reading skills required), and other ensemble instruments.

Evening Activity:

Open Mic and Open Gallery Night:
Play a tune, tell a joke, perform a skit, lead a song, demonstrate a technique. Meanwhile, we’ll set up a pop-up gallery around the room with finished objects and artwork from anyone who wants to show off something you’ve created. Bring 1-2 items, along with tags, labels, or descriptions for display. This can be any kind of art you like – painting, pottery, jewelry, fiber arts, crafts, quilts, sculpture, etc, as long as it’s reasonably sized and not messy or
noisy.

2nd Period

Whistle 101 (Buda):
The sound of the Irish Whistle can be both haunting and joyful and is a vehicle for inspiring airs and jubilant dance tunes alike. An approachable instrument, it is wonderful to learn as an introduction to folk wind playing. In this class, enjoy learning all about this charming, pocket sized instrument through a welcoming, step by step approach. This class is intended for players from any background or instrument. All you need is an Irish Whistle in the key of D! Special notes may be given especially to recorder players as they learn the differences between recorder and its fippled cousin.

Harp Airs for All (Stewart)
Sometimes the harp players get to have all of the fun, but I’m willing to share! This class will focus on learning and arranging some of the most beautiful airs in the tradition and making them playable and fascinating on whatever instrument you bring. All levels/All instruments

Painting the Words (Kimball/O’Brien): “All we like sheep, have gone astra-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-ay!” Just as Handel depicts the straying sheep with a meandering melisma, composers of the Renaissance often relished the opportunity to write melodic lines that imitate the text. Rising or falling, laughing or crying, dancing or sleeping – music and words come together to illustrate this imagery in full color. This topic will be divided into two sections by level, and is open to recorders, viols, and other consort-friendly instruments.


3rd Period

Cultural Sampler Pack (Buda/Stewart):
Folk traditions are integral to our heritage, and this class is here to bring you an incredible sample of music from a number of European folk traditions. Whether it is for dance, special occasions, songs of immigration or change, folk music is there to be the voice of the people. Come enjoy this introduction to multiple folk genres, find what appeals to you as a player, and simply learn about some new tunes and elements of “trad” cultures.
This topic will be split into two sections by level.

Renaissance Style Sampler (Kimball/O’Brien):
What’s the difference between a madrigal and a motet? What does a fantasia have in common with a galliard? We’ll cover a selection of Renaissance pieces from different genres and regions, and explore what they have in common and what makes them unique. This class will be taught in two sections by level, and is suitable for recorders, viols, voices (solid reading skills required), and other ensemble instruments.

Evening Activity:
Faculty concert, thank-you’s, and group project presentation

Breakfast: 8:00
Check-out by 10AM