Viola da Gamba Society - New England

The Viola da Gamba Society - New England is a chapter of the Viola da Gamba Society of America (VdGSA). It supports the aims of the VdGSA, with special attention to viola da gamba activities in New England. These aims are to promote interest in the Viola da Gamba through educational and artistic programs such as workshops, lectures, master classes, and concerts. Read More ▶︎︎
upcoming workshop

Spring in person workshop — April 26, 2025

Join us at St. Anne’s Episcopal Church in Lincoln MA, on April 26, 2025 for “Dowland: A World of Music for Viol Consorts.” This is a full-day, in-person workshop on the music of John Dowland directed by Carol Lewis, viol, and Chris Henriksen, plucked strings, along with coaches Karen Burciaga, Guinevere Fridley, and James Perretta, […]

Read More ▶︎︎

past workshop

Masterclass with Cristiano Contadin

On Sunday October 27 from 12-3PM, the VdGS-NE is happy to offer a Masterclass with Venetian viola da gambist Cristiano Contadin. Cristiano performed with his ensemble Opera Prima on last year’s BEMF concert series and appears with the Henry Purcell Society of Boston next month. The event is open to both performers and auditors and […]

Read More ▶︎︎
past workshop

Fall in-person workshop

Join us for a full-day, in-person workshop led by the renowned Arcadia Viols: Robert Eisenstein, Jane Hershey, Anne Legêne, and Alice Robbins. This workshop honors our friend Will Ayton, esteemed composer, viol player, and Emeritus professor at Roger Williams University. It was originally planned for Jan. 2021 and postponed because of the pandemic, and VdGS-NE is […]

Read More ▶︎︎
News

Announcing 2024-2025 Silbiger grant recipient

We are pleased to announce this year’s recipients of the Silbiger Grant! The Longy School of Music Viol Consort will present a program of music by Jewish composers this fall. The performance will take place at Kehillat Israel located at 348 Harvard Street, Brookline, MA on November 17th at 3pm. The consort consists of viol […]

Read More ▶︎︎
News

Upper Valley Music Center Early Music Workshop

On Saturday September 7, join the Upper Valley Music Center in Lebanon NH for a day immersed in early music, led by UVMC’s own Chris Rua, along with guest musicians Jane Hershey and Dan Meyers. Early music lovers are invited to spend a day learning, playing, and enjoying great music on recorder and viola da […]

Read More ▶︎︎
News

2024-2025 Silbiger Grant Application is Now Open!

Applications are now open for the next round of Silbiger Grants. This grant now provides support of $200 per viol player for performances and worship services featuring voices and viols during the 2024-2025 academic year. The committee has decided to modify the timeline, moving the deadline to June 1.

Read More ▶︎︎
past workshop

In person workshop with Parthenia

In our first full length workshop since winter of 2020, the VdGS-NE is pleased to welcome the New York-based consort Parthenia to teach a workshop called Continental Connections: European Influences and Cross-cultural Exchange in English Viol Consort Music. The directors are Lisa Terry and Lawrence Lipnik with Rosamund Morley and Beverly Au as assisting faculty. […]

Read More ▶︎︎
Resources

Viol Classes and Instrument Rentals at Powers Music School

Powers Music School, founded by VdGS-NE founder Ellen Powers, remains a center for Boston area viol activities, offering both private lessons and coached consorts with Jane Hershey and private lessons with James Perretta. Several classes meet weekly during the year at various levels including consorts for experienced players, and and an ensemble skills class for […]

Read More ▶︎︎
past workshop

Viol open-house at Powers Music School

Welcome, Fall!  Come join the VdGS-NE for an informal afternoon of gently coached consort playing and socializing. This smaller sized and shorter than usual workshop is designed as a “Play-in”. Participants will be able to play in two sessions in two different groups. There will be opportunities for all levels; choose from Easy, Medium, or […]

Read More ▶︎︎