2025 Baroque Workshop
Theme: Raiders of the Green Vault: Treasures and Curiosities from Dresden’s Jewelbox
First Church Berkeley UCC (First Congregational)
June 16–22, 2025
Lindsey Strand-Polyak, Director
General Registration is now closed.
Please contact workshops@sfems.org to discuss part-time (no chamber music classes) attendance.
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Join your SFEMS Baroque Workshop Faculty this summer as we journey to the infamous Green Vault of Dresden, a city known as the jewel box of Europe, and home of the early 18th century’s most impressive orchestra. Elector of Saxony August II was an avid collector of treasure and talent. His Green Vault was filled with unusual, beautiful objects like porcelain, jewels… and intricate creations made from misshapen pearls called baroques! His musicians were just as varied and valuable.
Unlike Jean-Baptiste Lully’s orchestra in Versailles, the musicians of Dresden were encouraged to display a wide array of versatility, uniqueness, and virtuosity. In Dresden, being flamboyant and baroque was an attribute, not a liability. The music reflects this— filled with individuals taking risks and unusual instrument combinations. Come join us as we raid Dresden’s musical treasure trove, from Schütz to Vivaldi, Pisendel, Farina, Heinichen, Hasse, Zelenka, Buffardin, and many many more.
Workshop highlights include: Instrument/Voice-Specific Technique classes, orchestra and choir large ensembles, cantata night, concerto night, and new this year: two sections of chamber music!
The Baroque Workshop will be a full week of immersive musicking open to singers, wind and string players as well as keyboard and plucked continuo instrumentalists. There will be classes on ornamentation and movement, large ensembles such as orchestra and oboe band, chamber music, special talks and technique classes. The Baroque Workshop welcomes players of all levels of experience and ability who want a supportive and welcoming place to discover and develop new musical skills.
Pitch for the workshop will be at A=415.
June 2nd is the deadline to register for the entire workshop.
After June 2nd, the chamber music assignments will be set.
To register part-time (without the chamber component), contact workshops@sfems.org.
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The Baroque Workshop will feature both small and large ensemble instruction, private and group lessons, sight-reading and skill building classes, and baroque dance/movement sessions.
There are four main class periods a day: the morning sessions will emphasize technical instruction; while the afternoon classes will feature further musical exploration, sight-reading, and group practice for a Saturday evening performance.
Evening activities include jam sessions, special presentations, and faculty concerts.
Pitch for the workshop will be at A=415.
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Click here to learn more about our faculty members!
Our faculty include some of the leading performers and teachers on their respective instruments:Lindsey Strand-Polyak director and violin
Aki Nishigichi recorder, oboe
Cléa Galhano recorder
Lars Johannesson traverso
Rita Lilly voice
Erik Andersen cello, viola da gamba
Anna Marsh bassoon
Peter Sykes harpsichord, continuo
David Wilson violin, violaArthur Omura keyboard collaborator
Derek Tam Cantata Night guest conductor -
Everyone! We welcome singers and instrumentalists of all kinds: all vocal types, strings (both violin and viol families), winds, brass, keyboardists and pluckers.
To the best of our ability, we will tailor your experience to your skill level and ability so that you will feel both comfortable and challenged.
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2025 SFEMS Baroque Workshop Production Apprentice Application Form
As well as attending the workshop, production apprentices assist with behind-the-scenes tasks that keep a workshop running. Our apprentices receive workshop fee remissions and financial aid to partially offset workshop tuition costs as well as gain experience in mentorship, concert production, and administration. We aim to offer as much aid and opportunities as equitably as we can.
If interested, please read carefully, and fill out the survey below so we can best place you in our apprenticeship program.
Workshop Production Apprentice Applications are due no later than 9pm, May 1st. We will begin examining applicants on a rolling basis, so early application is strongly encouraged.
2025 SFEMS Baroque Workshop Performing Apprentice Application: Bowed Bass and Plucked Continuo
Our goal in this program is to provide emerging players working on historical performance the chance to get a significant amount of continuo and ensemble experience in a safe and mentored environment.
Eligibility: You should already have some experience with historical performance to be a good candidate for this apprenticeship. If you do not, you should still come to the workshop as a participant, but this apprentice position might not be the best fit for you. Email Workshop Director Lindsey Strand-Polyak (baroqueworkshop@sfems.org) if you're unsure.
Performing Apprentices will receive a full scholarship for tuition to the workshop (Tuition is $900). Participants are responsible for their own housing and transportation costs.
Eligible Players: Cello, Bass, Violone, Viola da Gamba, Harpsichord, Guitar, Theorbo and Harp
Performing Apprentices will:
-Take an active role in being part of the continuo team for Concerto Night
-Be mentored by Bowed Bass Faculty Erik Andersen and Keyboard Faculty Peter Sykes
-Be guaranteed a solo opportunity in Concerto Night
-Play in at least two chamber ensembles
-Play in large ensembles (choir and/or orchestra)
-Basically, get a lot of playing and continuo experience in just a week!
-Perform with Faculty on Sunday March 22
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Singers, String(er)s and Wind Players...
Can’t make the whole week of the workshop? Join us for one night of musicking, laughter and libations with the SFEMS Baroque Workshop! Bring yourself, your voice OR your instrument to downtown Berkeley for one casual “play-in”—to the sanctuary of First Church Berkeley UCC (2345 Channing Way, entrance on Dana St.)
Join us for a celebratory opening night at the Baroque Workshop! Whether you are a singer or instrumentalist, revel in the splendor of court music in Dresden in the early 1700s. Under the direction of conductor Derek Tam, and joined by Baroque Workshop Director Lindsey Strand-Polyak and the entire workshop faculty, we'll explore movements of a mass by Johann David Heinichen, who brought the glory of Venetian music to the Dresden court of August II the Strong, Elector of Saxony. And we'll also read through movements of Johann Sebastian Bach's monumental Mass in B minor, which got its start as a "short" mass in a partially successful attempt to receive the title of Saxon court composer.Music will be sent out beforehand for both singers and instrumentalists. All instruments and voice types welcome. Pitch will be A=415.
The participation cost will be $40.
If you have technical difficulties, contact workshop administrator Stacey Helley at workshops@sfems.org.
N.B. This is already included for full-time registrants.
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Workshop classes and events will be held at the First Congregational Church of Berkeley (FCCB) in the newly rebuilt community building.
HOUSING IS SOLD OUT
🏠 🛏️ UC Berkeley Summer Conference Housing for the Baroque Workshop is in Unit 3, Beverly Cleary Residence Hall (2424 Channing Ave., Berkeley), with meals provided at the Crossroads Dining Hall (at 2415 Channing) — ground floor rooms upon request.
🍔 A commuter meal package (details below) is also available.
Parking Permits (Residents and Commuters):
🚙 Residents and commuters may also consider purchasing a parking permit for the UC Ellsworth parking lot for the duration of the workshop. Parking permits are NOT included with a housing reservation; you will need to purchase one separately for the seven days (Monday through Sunday). Having a permit does not guarantee a space.No refunds can be issued for parking permits.
HOUSING: 🏠 🛏️ 🚿 🍽️ SOLD OUT
Housing is right across the street! Ground floor rooms are available, however availability is finite.
We only have a certain number of rooms—when they fill, that is it. May 9th is the last day to sign-up for Cal Housing.
A housing reservation includes dining services from Monday night (6/16) through Sunday morning (6/22) for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. There is no reduction in price for late arrivals, early departures, or missed meals.
🛌 Beds are made prior to arrival with pillow, pillowcase, sheets, blanket, and bedspread. Two towels, a face cloth, and a bar of soap are provided. Bedrooms are not cleaned during your stay. Common areas are cleaned daily. Pillows, blankets, and bedspreads are available to exchange at each unit front desk if needed.
All meals will be in the Crossroads Dining Hall at 2415 Channing–1.5 blocks aw from the residence hall. You'll be issued a card for the dining hall upon check-in.
Check-in time is 3pm, and check-out time is 11am.
Housing costs are due upon workshop registration.
Questions? Email SFEMS Workshops Coordinator Stacey Helley at workshops@sfems.org -
TUITION:
Full tuition for the Baroque Workshop is $900.Receive an early bird discount of $50 by applying before March 31. SFEMS members in good standing at time of enrollment receive an member discount of $50. These discounts can be combined!
You don’t need to pay the full tuition upfront—secure your spot with a non-refundable deposit of $250.
All outstanding tuition must be paid by June 2; however, to receive the early bird discount, balances must be paid before March 31.
Tuition (other than the $250 non-refundable deposit) is refundable before June 2.June 2nd is the deadline to register for the entire workshop. After June 2nd, the chamber music assignments will be set. To register part-time (without the chamber component), contact workshops@sfems.org.
SCHOLARSHIPS:
Tuition assistance is available through our scholarship and work study programs. Please contact administrator Stacey Helley at workshops@sfems.org for more information.ROOM & BOARD (see above for more information):
Single-occupancy room and board is $1075 (Monday night–Sunday morning).
Double-occupancy room and board is $925 (Monday night–Sunday morning) Please contact us with your planned roommate for this rate.Room & board must be paid in full upon registration. Full housing refunds can be issued until May 16. May 16th is the last day to purchase housing.
No housing refunds will be issued after this date.
COMMUTER MEAL PACKAGE (see above for more information):
The commuter meal package (Monday dinner, lunch and dinner during the week, Sunday breakfast) is $TBD.PARKING PERMIT (see above for more information):
A seven-day parking permit is $TBD. -
If you have questions regarding registration or logistics, please contact administrator Stacey Helley at workshops@sfems.org.
If you have questions about workshop programming, please contact workshop director Lindsey Strand-Polyak at baroqueworkshop@sfems.org.
