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"A Unique Experience . . .

For over twenty-eight years SFEMS has offered o­ne of the most comprehensive summer early music programs in the United States, led by a faculty of international artists in residence. The program offers instrumental and vocal master classes, lectures, coached ensembles, and recitals that provide an opportunity for musicians and dancers at a variety of levels to improve their ensemble skills, performance techniques, and teaching abilities.

Full days of classes, coaching, and rehearsals are followed by optional evening events, including faculty concerts and lecture-demonstrations, plus more light-hearted activities, from Morris and Renaissance dancing to croquet or poetry readings.

The Baroque and Medieval/Renaissance workshops are held at Sonoma State University, an hour north of San Francisco. Surrounded by hills and vineyards, Sonoma State offers several performance halls, a small theater, large classrooms, and new, single-room dorms. Nearby are wineries and historic towns in the Napa and Sonoma valleys, Pt. Reyes National Seashore, Bodega Bay, and the Russian River.

The Recorder Workshop is held at St. Albert’s Priory, a peaceful ivy-covered brick oasis o­ne block from an upscale boutique-and-restaurant district in Oakland, California. All the single dorm rooms overlook a serene courtyard garden. The beautiful chapel that houses performances and orchestra rehearsals has wonderful acoustics. St. Albert’s is two blocks from the Rockridge BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) station, putting the entire San Francisco Bay Area and its many attractions within reach by public transit.

For young people between the ages of seven and fifteen, SFEMS offers the fourteenth annual Music Discovery Workshop, located at the Crowden School in Berkeley.

Financial aid, based o­n need, is available from SFEMS in the form of tuition scholarships or work/study arrangements. College credit is also available from Sonoma State University (two semester units of academic credit per week, or three continuing education units). "

See workshop links for more details and o­nline registration. SFEMS 2008 Summer Early Music and Dance Workshop

Accademia d'Amore: Workshop and Performance of Opera Scenes from the 17th century
August 21-31, 2008
Seattle Pacific University, Seattle, Washington

Faculty:

Musical coaching:
Stephen Stubbs, musical director
Nancy Zylstra, vocal coach
Maxine Eilander, harps and continuo
Jillon Stoppels Dupree, harpsichord and continuo
George Shangrow, stage accompanist and musical coach
Margriet Tindemans, viola da gamba

Stage directors:
Roger Hyams
Anna Mansbridge
Theodore Deacon

This workshop offers advanced singers and continuo players (keyboards, harps, lutes, bowed bass) the opportunity to work on all the musical and dramatic aspects of the 17th-century opera repertoire with a faculty of specialists. Founded by Seattle native Stephen Stubbs eight years ago in Bremen, Germany, Accademia d’Amore has an established track record for training musicians in the subtle art of 17th-century vocal performance and instrumental accompaniment. Its attendees have gone on to successful careers in baroque opera in Europe, the US, and Canada. Stubbs relocated his successful workshop to Seattle in 2005. 2006 will see the second season of this workshop as well as the opening of an ongoing graduate program for singers and continuo players called the Seattle Academy of Baroque Opera.

Schedule:
The workshop will begin with a 3-day intensive course in the stylistic elements of music and movement in the baroque theatre, as well as a specialized course for continuo playing in baroque opera. This will be followed by a week of musical and scenic rehearsals in preparation for a staged performance of all the scenes worked on during the week.

In the middle of the workshop, there will be an informal student concert with music of the students’ choice. This is a very important part of the week where students have an opportunity to show other sides of their musicianship.

Location: Seattle Pacific University, Seattle, WA.
See website for more information: Accademia d'Amore Workshop

"Please join us for the 2008 Summer Toot, with our featured faculty Alison Melville and Frances Blaker (recorder) Mary Springfels (viols) and Dan Stillman (louds)! In conjunction with the Toot, there will be several concerts open to the public. Our world-class faculty this year includes:

• Recorder:
  Alison Melville
  Frances Blaker
  Jennifer Carpenter

• Viols and other bowed strings:
  Mary Springfels
  Susan Scheib

• Reeds and brass:
  Daniel Stillman

• Harp & lute:
  Bruce Brogdon
  Therese Honey

• Voice:
  Daniel Johnson

Our classes include an array of small, o­ne-on-a-part Renaissance and Baroque ensembles and larger mixed vocal and instrumental groups. The size of the workshop enables us to create classes for all levels of students, from those of modest skills to advanced players and singers.This year's Summer Texas Toot is held at Texas Women's University in Denton, Texas. "

Visit the Toot website for more information. (ed.)

"Focusing o­n the works of J. S. Bach and his sons

We weren't sure we'd do it so soon, but last summer's workshop was such a resounding success we couldn't resist. So o­nce again, players, owners, builders, enthusiasts and aficionados of early keyboard instruments will gather in the beautiful seaside village of Stonington, CT for three-and-a-half days of immersion in the wondrous world of the harpsichord and clavichord -- and this time, we're including the fortepiano! Musically, we're focusing o­n Bach and his sons.

We've changed the format somewhat from last year. The first full day (June 14, 2008) will be composed of introductory sessions in building and playing. The next two days will mostly follow two tracks, allowing participants to concentrate more o­n either the "hardware" (building and maintenance) of the instruments, or the "software" (performance and performance practice) of the music. We've worked hard to devise sessions that will interest everyone, but o­ne thing we haven't changed: Zack will supply the meals, including two dinners in his restaurant across the street from the shop! ... "

"Focusing o­n Music, History (European History) and English (Music of Shakespeare’s time) classes. A pilot program for the Viola da Gamba Society of America and the Spirit of Gambo, a Chicago Consort of Viols, ‘Viols in Our Schools’ focuses o­n bringing early strings to the classroom setting. With the viola da gamba/ viol’s connection to the evolution of the guitar (via the lute), it is an ideal instrument to introduce earlier repertoire to guitar classes, while it’s frequent use in the madrigal repertoire and use as a continuo instrument makes the viol an ideal for demonstrating to choral classes as well as to music theory and history classes. In addition to music programs, ‘Viols in Our Schools’ demonstrates early European music to European history classes, as well as English/ Literature classes focusing o­n Elizabethan/ Shakespearen England. You can visit 'Viols in Our Schools' at http://www.violsinourschools.org . "

"International Harpsichord Festival and Meeting in Hungary
Budapest-Szentendre-Fehérvárcsurgó-Győr
18-22 June 2008

Concerts, master courses, workshops, lectures, presenters of old and new instruments, performance opportunities for young harpsichordists, etc.

Organizers: Ferenc Liszt Academy of Music, Hungarian National Museum, Clavicembalo Foundation, Joseph Károlyi Foundation, Tihamér Vujicsics Music School Szentendre

Patron: Dr. András Batta, Rector of the Ferenc Liszt Academy of MusicArtistic director: Prof. Anikó Horváth "

See "International Harpsichord Festival and Meeting in Hungary" website for more details (ed.)

"Open to UK-based ensembles of two to four members: the instruments must include a harpsichord. The Competition consists of two rounds using o­ne of the 18th century English harpsichords in the Benton Fletcher Collection of Early Keyboard Instruments. The winning group will be awarded an £800 cash prize, and a concert at Fenton House, the Cobbe Collection and Finchcocks. A separate Audience Prize will also be awarded. Jury: David Owen Norris, Maggie Cole and Steven Devine. See information brochure/application form obtainable from Competition Organiser. Application form must be completed and submitted by 29 February 2008. Contact: Competition Organiser Mimi Waitzman for more information. " See the site for more information o­n the competition (ed.): Fenton House Keyboard Competition

The results of this year's Musica Antiqua Festival Competition have been posted.

The jury for the International Harpsichord Competition were:Gustav Leonhardt [nl], Françoise Lengellé [fr], Andrea Marcon [it], Ketil Haugsand [nor], Johan Huys [be] (chairman), Davitt Moroney [uk/fr]. Winners of the harpsichord competition: (no 1st prize was awarded); 2nd Prize Ex Aequo -- Francesco Corti (IT) & Julien Wolfs (BE); 3rd Prize -- Tomoko Matsuoka (JP); 4th Prize -- Susan Toman (CA); 5th Prize -- Masumi Yamamoto (JP).

The jury for the International Fortepiano Competition were: Wolfgang Brunner [at], Claire Chevallier [be], Linda Nicholson [uk], Alexei Lubimov [ru], Ludger Rémy [de] (chairman), Bart van Oort [nl]. Winners of the fortepiano competition: (no 1st prize was awarded); 2nd Prize -- Stefania Neonato (IT); 3rd Prize Ex Aequo -- Alexandra Koreneva (RU) & Olga Andryushchenko (RU); Honorable mention -- Katarzyna Drogosz (PL).

See the site for more information o­n the competition as well as the Festival exhibitions. (ed.): Music Antiqua

The 2007 Greenwich International Early Music Festival and Exhibition takes place over the weekend of the 9th -11th November 2007. A lively mix of exhibition and performance, the event will fill the Old Royal Naval College with sounds of early music and song.

Friday 9th November 10.30am - 6.00pm
Saturday 10th November 10.00am - 6.00pm
Sunday 11th November 10.00am - 5.00pm

Admission to exhibition (includes complete programme):
Adults £7.50
Concessions £5.00
2 day ticket £12.00
3 day ticket £16.00
Children under 14 free
(concessions OAPs, UB40 holders, students, TCM staff and students free entry with TCM Resource Card)

"Neil Crutchley Writes:

The Festival is over for another year and there is the same feeling of regret that comes with the end of Christmas or the school holidays. But all good things must come to an end and it is now time to take stock of what has been a remarkably successful series of events and one in which the Festival Director and his team can take justifiable pride.

As predicted the Son et Lumière (sound and light) production met with universal approval and large audiences on two consecutive evenings were transfixed by this striking and unusual form of entertainment. It was the first time something like this has been tried in St. Mary’s and the effect was stunning. The first 600 years of the church’s eventful history were told in a dramatic recitation with appropriate music from St. Mary’s choir, whilst various parts of this ancient church – including the magnificent windows – were lit in different colours."

"16 July 2007

Le Jardin Secret was announced as the winner of the 12th Early Music Network Young Artists Competition o­n Saturday 14th July 2007 by Ashley Solomon, Chairman of the Competition Judges.

Le Jardin Secret – comprising soprano Elisabeth Dobbin; Romina Lischka viola da gamba, Sofie Vanden Eynde theorbo and David Bluden harpsichord - perform a wide range of seventeenth and eighteenth-century repertoire, exploring the possibilities of creative continuo playing and improvisation. Taking its name from the French metaphor for the heart, it performs music that is intimate and highly expressive. The members of the group were postgraduates at conservatories in Basel and The Hague and have worked with some of the most prestigious names in early music today.

The Competition, which takes place at the National Centre for Early Music in York, attracted young artists from as far afield as Australia, South Africa, Denmark, Europe, South America, Norway and of course from the UK. The winners received a cheque for £1,000 plus an invitation to return to the York Early Music Festival in 2008 and a variety of recording opportunities. ... "

See site for more details: National Centre for Early Music

"Welcome to the International Music Score Library Project! IMSLP attempts to create a virtual library containing all public domain musical scores, as well as scores from composers who are willing to share their music with the world without charge. You can read the full list of goals that IMSLP will try to achieve.

IMSLP also encourages the exchange of musical ideas, both in the form of musical works, and in the analysis of existing o­nes. Therefore, feel free to create/edit a page with your analysis of a particular piece (please use the "Discussion" link o­n the work page of that particular piece)." ... "

The ultimate goal of the IMSLP is to gather all public domain music scores, in addition to the music scores of all contemporary composers who wish to release them to the public free of charge. However, another main goal of IMSLP is to facilitate the exchange of musical ideas outside of compositions: for example, the analysis of a particular piece of music. We hope to build a growing community of dedicated musicians and music lovers, who can use this site as a platform for enjoying music. " ... See site for more info:http://imslp.org/wiki/Main_Page

An invitation to all to visit http://www.fima-online.org where you can find information about the Early Music Course and Festival held in Urbino, Italy 19th-28th July. The Festival is sponsored by FIMA (Italian Foundation for Early Music).

"The Western Early Keyboard Association (WEKA) is planning a very exciting day of early keyboard activities in Seattle, Washington, on Saturday, June 2nd! We hope you can join us for the wonderful organ, harpsichord and fortepiano events that day! Pertinent information is below. Even if you can't attend the day's events, your membership in WEKA would support a wonderful new organization and would enable you to receive our newsletter and information on upcoming events.

In the morning the WEKA conference will take place at Saint Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral in Seattle’s Capitol Hill District. In the afternoon we will travel to Seattle’s Queen Anne District. The day’s activities (including brunch, lunch and hors d'oeuvres) are free to WEKA members. WEKA dues are $35 for a regular membership, $25 for a senior over 65 and $15 for a student. Nonmembers may participate in the day’s activities for $25. There will be an additional charge of $15 for students participating in a master class. " ...

Göteborg is ca. 300 km north from Copenhagen, ca. 300 km south from Oslo and ca. 500 km south west from Stockholm. "It is the second largest city in Sweden with a population of about 500 000. It has a university of which the School of Music and the Göteborg Organ Art Center are parts. The Göteborg International Organ Academy is arranged by the City of Göteborg in collaboration with the Göteborg University / Göteborg Organ Art Center (GOArt) and the Academy of Music and Drama - also called Artisten ('the artist'). The Academy of Music and Drama, with the address Fågelsången 1 , where the Academy office is to be found, is situated in the middle of the city, near Götaplatsen where the Concert Hall, the Art Museum and the City Theater are located."

Deadline for application: Active participants May 20, observers June 15. Applications received before May 1st receive a 20 % discount.

See the website link below for more information:

GÖTEBORG INTERNATIONAL ORGAN ACADEMY 2007

CALL FOR PAPERS
The 8th International Symposium o­n Spanish Keyboard Music “Diego Fernández” will be held in Almería, Andalusia, from 11th through 13th October, as part of FIMTE 2007: the 8th International Festival of Spanish Keyboard Music. The festival shall feature both mainstream and fringe concerts as well as various courses and exhibitions. Proposals for papers are particularly encouraged in the following areas:

-Portuguese-Spanish musical relations during the 18th century with an emphasis o­n keyboard music and keyboard instruments.
- Domenico Scarlatti: the Sonatas, Performance Practices, Keyboard Instruments
- New research in Spanish keyboard music (16th through 18th century)

See the site for more information: http://www.fimte.org

Tafelmusk (Toronto, Canada) announces their Baroque Summer Institute for June 1-14, 2007)"The Tafelmusik Baroque Summer Institute is led by some of the world's finest musicians in the field of baroque performance. The Institute is held at the Faculty of Music, University of Toronto. The comprehensive training program includes orchestra and choir rehearsals, masterclasses, opera scene study for singers, chamber ensembles, private lessons, lectures and workshops, and concerts by both participants and faculty. We invite advanced students, pre-professional and professional musicians to apply." Application Deadline: March 30, 2007. See their site for more more information: Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra and Chamber Choir

Next organ tour: May 26 - June 3, 2007 (Buenos Aires - Argentina)

Organ visiting - City tour - Concerts - Tango show and classes - Dinner - Wine tasting

Hotel accomodation - Ground transportation

Enjoy the beauties of Buenos Aires and its people...

A rare opportunity to experience the musical life and culture of the city of Buenos Aires, Argentina by signing o­n to the Last Frontier Organ Tour this coming May 26-June 3, 2007

There be organs, of course some fantastic European instruments by Europe's finest builders among them Cavaille-Coll, Walcker, Serrasii. Early music concerts, a couple tango lessons, visits to the cultural monuments of that great city and a harpsichord recital are planned for Buenos Aires.

Last Frontier Organ Tour

This is our sixth consecutive year that we are offering an international concert Cycle focused o­n early keyboard instruments such as the harpsichord, the spinet, the virginal, the muselaar, the fortepiano, and the historic organ.

For the 2007 Cycle, we have not yet the support to incloude of master classes, talks with musical examples and commented concerts, with the pourpose of better divulging the art of playing o­n period instruments. By now, we have just programmed some concerts scheduled already last year for this o­ne, and will be anounced when confirmated. We are searching for people to join the team and colaborate with the management of the Cycle.

Sugested by many of the people who attended the formers editions, the Cycle will be supported by a $20 Contribution Bonus (argentine pesos = USD 7) for concerts. Like last year, we added the chance to support the Cycle as Benefactor or Protector, giving them admision free for two people to all events and the mention of them in printed programs, and an enhanced mention or advertisement for Sponsors. ... (more)

" Text – Itamar Moses
Direction – Pam MacKinnon

Leipzig, Germany, 1722: seven rival musicians jump at the chance to fill the most sought-after musical post in Europe: organmaster at Leipzig. Inspired by actual events, emerging playwright Itamar Moses has crafted a hilarious fugue of schemes and mayhem as each musician deliciously blackmails, bribes, and double-crosses to win the position. When Bach at Leipzig played at the Milwaukee Repertory Theater last season, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel said, “Imagine the Marx Brothers and Tom Stoppard collaborating o­n a play.” ...

" The 2005 Greenwich International Festival & Exhibition of Early Music takes place over the weekend of the 11th -13th November 2005. A lively mix of exhibition and performance, the event will fill the Old Royal Naval College with sounds of early music and song. " ...