Presented by Road Scholar

Road Scholar National Recorder / Early Music Workshop

Enhance your technique and ensemble playing during an intensive workshop with director Letitia Berlin and other stellar faculty. Two fabulous weeks - choose either week or both!

Explore the music of England and France from the 13th to 18th centuries, with some modern composers as well!

Week 2: November 5 - 11, 2017
Recorder - Letitia Berlin, Frances Blaker
Viola da gamba - Larry Lipnik
Dulcian and shawm - Joan Kimball 
Strings and Early Repertoire - Shira Kammen

Week 2 Faculty Bios

Recorder and viol technique classes geared toward application of technique practice to the repertoire - making music out of notes!  Master class and consort classes.

All-Workshop Orchestra, conducted by Frances Blaker

Location
The workshop takes place at the Hidden Valley Music Seminars, An Institute for the Arts in Carmel Valley, California, nestled amongst oak and buckeye trees below majestic hillsides. Along with our rich opportunities for music making, bird watching and walking can be enjoyed nearby.

Schedule
The workshop includes four daily classes, morning exercise/dance, and impromptu group playing. Wednesday includes a free afternoon to explore the beautiful Carmel Valley area, play music, or just relax.

Classes - First Period

Technique/Consort for Recorders Tish Berlin, Frances Blaker   Our goal will be to improve your facility and expressive skills so that your musical soul finds its voice. These classes will be divided into two groups by level.   Work on technical exercises and apply them to music.

Musical Gym - Shira Kammen   Start the day with all kinds of exercises to open your musical imaginations! Music on the page, off the page, above and below the page – we’ll practice intervals, scales, modes, singing, rhythm, your own instrument, improvisation (no experience necessary), using your ears in a deep and purposeful way.   All levels, all instruments

Viol Consort/Technique  - Larry Lipnik   Technique exercises to make you a better player, consort playing to make you a better musician.

Dulcians and Shawms  - Joan Kimball   This is an auditioned program. Please contact Tish Berlin at tishberlin@sbcglobal.net to arrange an audition if you are interested in joining this program.

Classes - Second Period

Master Class for Soloists and Ensembles -  Larry Lipnik   For instrumentalists who have prepared a piece for Master Class. Class size limited.  Please indicate the piece you will play on your class choice form.   All instruments

Musical Styles Tish Berlin   For those who would like to have a deeper understanding of the differences between Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque styles. We’ll explore a wide range of repertoire within each of these large categories, through lots of playing, listening and some lecturing. Works ranging from chant and early polyphony to formes fixes and mass settings to chansons and madrigals to sonatas and concerti.    For all levels, all instruments

Guillaume Dufay  - Shira Kammen   A central musical figure in the Burgundian school, Dufay was possibly the most famous and influential composer in Europe in the mid-15th century. We'll look at his secular and sacred music, every piece a gem. By the end of this class, you will be able to fluently play 2 against 3 with Burgundian grace and confidence, and you will never doubt a rondeau or virelai again!   Upper intermediate voices and instruments

Dulcians and shawms will meet with Joan Kimball. 

Classes - Third Period

The Secret Passions of French Baroque Music -  Frances Blaker   Unlock to secrets of playing French baroque instrumental music. Divine the mysteries of French baroque ornamentation. Discover and explore the art of playing with exquisite line and grace! Revel in lush harmonies and experiment with mixing instrumental colors. We will play works by Couperin, Leclair and others.    Upper intermediate to advanced recorders, viols, harpsichord

William Byrd: A Life in Music  - Larry Lipnik   Against a backdrop of religious and political upheaval, William Byrd’s life spanned six English monarchs.  Discover a deeper appreciation of the wide ranging repertoire of this iconic composer who helped define Elizabethan musical style with selections from his various seminal publications; highlights include rollicking secular consort and partsongs, majestic motets and anthems, along with works by his mentors, colleagues and students: Tallis, Parsons, Morley and others.   Upper intermediate to advanced recorders and viols

Comparing English Medieval & Renaissance Music  - Shira Kammen   We’ll run the gamut of English music from 1200-1600 to see and hear what defines different eras and styles. From monophonic Middle English lyrics to five- and six-part madrigals, this class will be quite varied in its exploration of compositions and approaches. Bring your musical imaginations and flexibility hats.  Intermediate to upper intermediate recorders and viols

Music in a Scottish Drawing Room: Sonatas by Barsanti and Oswald,  and Traditional Tunes from the Caledonian Pocket Companion - Tish Berlin   We'll work on chamber music by Scottish composer James Oswald and Italian composer/Scottish transplant.   Francesco Barsanti, juxtaposed with traditional Scottish tunes collected by James Oswald and others. Barsanti wrote typical Italian sonatas, but also added bass lines to traditional Scottish tunes, thereby turning them into chamber music. Oswald also wrote in the popular trio sonata genre, using Scottish tunes as the basis of his melodies. We'll explore a wide range of works that could have been played in the middle-class Scottish drawing room of the 18th century. Participants will work together on Barsanti's Sonata #1, songs from Calliope or English Harmony: A Collection, Scottish tunes with added bass line by Barsanti, tunes from Oswald's collection of Scottish songs (The Pocket Caledonian), and Oswald's Trio Sonata in D major for two treble instruments and continuo.   Intermediate to upper intermediate recorders and viols

Dulcian players should choose from one of the above classes for the third period.

Fourth Period: Orchestra for All with Frances Blaker  Music of John Blow, John Taverner, Ralph Vaughn Williams

And there's more!

- Sunday and Monday evening tutti playing sessions – all welcome (in addition to recorders and viols, bring your krummhorns and other reed instruments if you have them)

- Evening playing sessions, led by YOU! Bring your favorite pieces and be a conductor for an evening! Tuesday-Thursday

- Faculty Concert on Tuesday

- Student Concert on Friday before dinner

- Open Mic on Friday after dinner

- BYOB Happy Hour every day

Information/Registration
The Road Scholar (formerly Elderhostel) Early Music Workshop is open to adult recorder and viol players of all ages who play at intermediate to advanced levels. Week two includes a renaissance reeds track. Harpsichordists also welcome.

For more information contact Peter Meckel at info@hiddenvalleymusic.org or (831) 659-3115.
To register by telephone, call Road Scholar Registration toll-free at 1-800-454-5768 and ask for program number #6254RJ. To register online Click here.