Gian Lyman Silbiger Grant

The Silbiger Grant is a competitive award which supports New England viol players and vocal ensembles who wish to present music appropriate for viol consort and voices. The grant is available to churches, synagogues, small choruses and ensembles eager to explore this beautiful repertoire in a service or public concert setting. Applicants may include a variety of repertoire, but with a minimum of three viol players and one vocal soloist.

Performances may take place either online, in person, or both.  All information about personnel and program should be provided a month before the event appears on line, including information on when and how the link for the performance will be provided, according to the publicity guidelines of the Grant.   The premiere of the video must be well-publicized to our membership and available for viewing after the premiere for at least one month. After that time, the video may be made available to other organizations, with acknowledgement of the VdGS-NE’s Silbiger Grant included in any accompanying program info.

The VdGS-NE encourages live performances also accepts applications for online-only performances as conditions demand.  If live streaming is preferred by the applicants, we ask that at least one month free access to the recording after the live streamed event be provided to the public. Please note that all the usual publicity requirements are needed for any Silbiger Grant performance, whatever mode is chosen. Please be as specific as possible on your application about what mode you envision for your performance:

  1. Live only
  2. Live with a with a video stream
  3. Video only

The grant pays $200 per viol player with a maximum total award of $1200. The viol player/organizer receives an additional $150. The applicant must pledge a minimum of an additional $50 per player.

Duties of the Viol Player/Organizer

The Selection Committee emphasizes the following guidelines:

  • Musical excellence and repertoire of high quality should be fostered.
  • New audiences for viol music should be actively sought through publicity provided to local media and in the printed program or bulletin.
  • Unless otherwise approved, the viol players must be from New England, and the performance site must also be in New England. If you have questions, ask us before applying.
  • Musicians may include a mixture of professional and amateur players, or may be fully professional.
  • Repertoire chosen should be appropriate to the level of the viol consort and singers.

The Grant was begun in 1995, and its recipients have included institutions throughout New England from Lime Rock, CT to Blue Hills, ME. Repertoire has ranged from verse anthems to Salamone Rossi, Schütz, and John Harbison. You can find a full listing of past recipients with some testimonials.

The grant commemorates the life and work of Gian Lyman Silbiger, viol player, teacher, composer and organist, who taught at the Longy School of Music, McGill University, and Brandeis University in the 1960’s and 1970’s and also served as the President of the Viola da Gamba Society of America. The grant is supported entirely by VdGS-NE members and friends. Please consider making a tax deductible contribution through our donation portal.

 

Applying for the Silbiger Grant:

The Silbiger Grant is awarded yearly on an academic year schedule.

Terms: This grant of up to one thousand, three hundred fifty dollars ($1350) is available to the successful applicant to pay for the services of a viol consort for the performance of music with soloists or choir. Up to six viol players will receive two hundred dollars ($200) each for a total maximum award of twelve hundred dollars ($1200). An additional $150 is designated for the viol player/organizer (see Duties of the Viol Player/Organizer). It is the responsibility of the applicant’s organization to provide an additional honorarium of at least $50 per player. The viol player/organizer will arrange the details of payment. The Selection Committee reserves the right not to make an award when insufficient or inadequate proposals are received.

To Apply: Apply by filling out the Online Application Form.

The Silbiger grant for performances in 2024-2025 will proceed on the following schedule:

March 1 – Application period opens
May  15 – Applications due
June 15 – Decision sent to applicants

Please direct all questions about applying for the Gian Lyman Silbiger Grant to the committee at Silbiger@vdgsne.org  The committee can also provide lists of local professional viol players or suggestions for repertoire upon request.