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Welcome Baroque Enthusiasts!

Dates: June 24-30, 2012
Place: the peaceful campus of Sonoma State University in the heart of California’s premier wine country

Bach: Master Craftsman, Sublime Artist

Play and sing the broad sweep of Johann Sebastian Bach's compositions, from cantata and chorus to concerto, from keyboard solo to chamber ensemble. Known for his far-reaching contrapuntal skills, outside-the-box harmonies, and exacting standards, Bach was also a master of heart-rending melody. His music reaches across time to touch people of all sorts.

Daily master classes offer each participant the opportunity to hone skills both technical and musical and to explore new modes of expression in prepared pieces. Instrumental and vocal techniques will be addressed by each instructor. In 2012 we bring back our Workshop Chorus, open to dedicated choral singers as well as to all vocalists and instrumentalists in the workshop. We offer classes for recorder, Baroque oboe, Baroque flute, bassoon, violin/viola, cello, viola da gamba, harpsichord/organ, and voice.

Elective classes include Orchestra, Chorus, Oboe Band, Performance Practice in Action, Continuo. Each participant will have the opportunity to work in a small ensemble with a coach, exploring repertoire and interpretation with the goal of performance at the end of the week. Faculty performances, lecture-demonstrations, and Concerto Evening (in which participants perform a concerto movement with orchestra) round out a week of inspiring music making and learning.

As part of our focus on J. S. Bach we will start each morning with the Fugue of the Day and precede each evening event by lifting up our collective voices in the singing of a Bach Chorale. Our workshop provides a friendly and supportive atmosphere for both the dedicated amateur and the professional musician. Our faculty of specialists in the field of early music are internationally known performers as well as gifted teachers.

A Day in the Life of a Baroque Workshop Participant

Breakfast is bright and early, affording time for a bit of sight reading or personal practice before morning master classes begin. Mornings at Baroque Workshop are spent in master classes with our virtuoso faculty members. Each instructor will guide students through his or her own unique combination of repertoire, technique work, and performance practice. Students will have the opportunity to play a prepared piece for the class, receiving individual attention from the instructor. Check the Master Classes tab after March 1st for information on specific master classes and for repertoire lists, so that you will know what to prepare.

After class, participants are free to join the faculty for "happy hour" lecture/demonstrations, put their feet up in the comfortable dorm suites, practice on their own, or get together with other participants for some Baroque sight reading.

Each evening features a unique after-dinner event, including, among other things, faculty performances and Concerto Evening, in which participants may sign up to play a movement of a Baroque concerto or sing an aria accompanied by the Baroque Workshop orchestra.

Our week of concentrated playing and learning will be permeated by the glorious works of Johann Sebastian Bach and interspersed with social gatherings with like-minded players from all around the country. These activities culminate in a night and a morning of very high-level student performances. Participants leave the workshop replete with new musical ideas, with new repertoire under their belts and new friends for future music making.

Faculty

Marion Verbruggen and Frances Blaker, recorder
Sand Dalton, Baroque oboe
Kathleen Kraft, Baroque flute
Kati Kyme, Baroque violin (and orchestra)
Rita Lilly, voice
Anna Marsh, Baroque bassoon
William Skeen, Baroque cello
Mary Springfels, viola da gamba
Peter Sykes, harpsichord
Bob Worth, chorus

Workshop Fees and Online Enrollment

The fee for the Baroque Workshop is $510 through May 2, $560 for enrollment received May 3 or later. Discounts are available for SFEMS members and for enrollment in more than one workshop. Room and board at Sonoma State is $585, room without board, $510 (this choice is limited in number). Rooms at Sonoma State are single occupancy only. All details appear on the online enrollment page. Mark your calendars now for the SFEMS Baroque Workshop. Enroll before May 2 and save!

Contact Us

Please continue to check the web site for developments. If you have any questions, please contact Kathleen Kraft, baroqueworkshop@sfems.org, 707-799-2018.

Last updated 02/12/2012.