2026 Medieval Renaissance Workshop

There are four class periods during the day: your choice of technique classes in the morning; a late morning collegium for the whole group; and two “special topic” classes in the afternoon.

There is time every evening for individual or group practice, followed by special presentations or faculty concerts.

The week culminates in student performances Friday night and Saturday morning.

Everyone! We welcome singers and instrumentalists of all kinds: all vocal types, strings, winds, brass, and keyboardists playing instruments of the period.

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.

Workshop classes and events will be held at the First Congregational Church of Berkeley (FCCB) in the newly rebuilt community building.

Beverly Cleary Residence Hall (2424 Durant Ave., Berkeley), part of Unit 3 – a city block of 4 dormitory towers plus Beverly Cleary Hall surrounding the Front Desk, gym, and Dining Hall called “Cafe 3”. Beverly Cleary Hall is a half a block from the church. Ground floor rooms are available, however availability is finite.

Beverly Cleary Hall includes:

• Utilities: High-speed Wi-Fi, gas, electric, water, garbage, recycling, and compost

• Furnishings: extra-long twin bed (triple rooms include a bunk bed & a lofted bed), desk, chair, dresser, mirror, and closet

• Bathrooms: one large all-gender bathroom per floor

• Microchill refrigerator and microwave combo

• Laundry center, mail services, and bike storage

• Fitness center and recreation room

• Smoke free environment

A housing reservation includes dining services from Sunday night (7/12) through Saturday morning (7/18) 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.

You'll be issued a card for the dining hall upon check-in along with your building fob and room key.

Check-in time is 3pm, and check-out time is 11am. We will have your keys at the check-in desk at the church on the first day. 

HOUSING 

$1075 for singles

$925 for doubles – please contact the administrator with the name of your roommate, and we will send you this link. workshops@sfems.org

Housing costs are due upon workshop registration. 

Questions? Email SFEMS Workshops Coordinator Stacey Helley at workshops@sfems.org

OVERNIGHT PARKING:

Parking Lot Locations: Underhill/Ellsworth structures

Option #1: Pay at Yellow Kiosk every morning. All guests parking overnight will need to select the maximum number of hours, each day they plan on parking (It is strongly recommended that all guests pay first thing each morning to avoid receiving a citation) Your license plate and the code must be entered together or a citation will be issued. 

Guests should print their receipt or have a copy texted to themselves for their records

Option #2: PayByPhone App

Download the PayByPhone App from the App Store or Google Play

Enter the location number of where you have parked

For guests parking overnight, select the maximum number of hours and confirm your selection.

Add more time to your parking session in-app from wherever you are without having to rush back to the kiosk.

Please be sure to follow all the instructions to avoid a parking citation from Cal Police. 

COMMUTER PARKING 

There are a number of public parking lots and facilities near campus and in downtown Berkeley. The list below includes municipal and privately owned parking lots and garages open to the public. Please consult signs for hours and fees prior to entering the facilities.

Telegraph Channing Garage has hourly rates

First Presbyterian Church of Berkeley has an underground garage

There is a covered pay lot at 2315 Ellsworth between the Berkeley City Club and St. Mark’s Episcopal.

There is hourly street parking around our block. Street Parking Apps are Spot Hero and ParkMobile.

First Congregational Church has a lot that you enter from west-bound Channing. Spots there are not guaranteed. $10 per day.

UBER, LYFT, FRIENDS & FAMILY

App maps don’t have the address quite right. They will land you on either Durant Ave. or Channing, neither of which have a proper door to enter the spaces we use. All our entrances are on Dana between Durant and Channing.

COMMUTER MEALS

We are near a multitude of casual dining options for the commuter. 

You may dine with the group at the Cal dining hall anytime. Just pay the cashier when you enter. We will not have prepaid cards this year.

TUITION:

Full tuition for non-members for the Recorder 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 additional member discount of $50. These discounts can be combined!

Early Bird Member: $800

Early Bird Non-Member: $850

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 28; 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 7.

All full-time tuitions will have an $80 facilities fee added at checkout. 

SCHOLARSHIPS:

Tuition assistance is available through our scholarship and work study programs. Please contact administrator Stacey Helley at workshops@sfems.org for more information.

Please check with ARS and EMA for summer workshop scholarship opportunities. 

ROOM & BOARD (see above for more information):

Single-occupancy room and board is $1075 (Sunday night–Saturday morning).

Double-occupancy room and board is $950 (Sunday night–Saturday morning). Please contact us with your planned roommate to receive this rate. 

Room & board must be paid in full upon registration. Full housing refunds can be issued until June 28. No housing refunds will be issued after this date.

If you have questions regarding registration or logistics, please contact SFEMS administrator Stacey Helley at workshops@sfems.org.

If you have questions about workshop programming, please contact workshop director Adam Gilbert at medrenworkshop.sfems@gmail.com