Special Topics Classes

Begun as a response to not being able to offer our in person workshops during the 2020-2021 academic year due to COVID-19, the Special Topics Classes were 90-minute classes held on Zoom. We continued offering these classes through 2023 as they allowed us to reach beyond our specific geographic area. During the first year, topics included technique classes, Machaut’s Lai de la Fontaine, a crash course on tablature, and a special session of trios. Presenters were largely from outside the New England region and included Mary Springfels, Catharina Meints, Larry Lipnik, and Ros Morley.

The classes cost $15 a session for members of the VdGS-NE and $20 for non-members. Non-members who take a class had the opportunity to get a free first year’s membership. Participants were sent any required materials along with the zoom link before the workshop. Videos of the workshops were available for 30 days after the class took place.

2022-2023 Topics:

Sun. Oct. 23, 4-5:30pm Philip Serna: “Size Matt’reth Not: Consorts of Orlando Gibbons” 

Sat. Dec. 10, 10-11:30am Tina Chancey: “Making Bassano’s Ornamentation on “Frais et Gaillard” Work for You”

Sat. Jan. 21, 3-4:30pm James Williamson: “Transforming the Lachrymae”

Sun. May 21, 2-3:30pm Carol Lewis: “Viols and Shakespeare–Why Not?”

2021-2022 Topics:

Sun. Oct 17, 3-4:30pm  Tina Chancey: “Playford Tunes as Tech Hacks”

Sat. Nov. 13 Fall Mini-Workshop
1-2:30pm: Arnie Tanimoto: “Twilight Music: Abel’s Pembroke Sonatas”
3-4:30pm: James Perretta: “Intro to Realizing Figured Bass on the Viol”

Sun. Dec. 12, 3-4:30pm ET Carol Lewis: “French Music for Everyone”
Level: Intermediate-High Int.
Play music by some of the greatest 17th-century French viol player-composers, including Hotman, Dubuisson, and even a little Marin Marais! Register by Dec. 8 for link and materials.

Sat. January 22, 3-4:30pm ET Sarah Mead: “Psalm to Table”
For all levels and sizes of viols, recorders, voices, and friends! A=440
Artisanal settings of vernacular psalms for the home market. English, French, Dutch and German Reformation music in four and more parts intended for amateur music-making. 

Sun. February 20, 3-4:30pm ET John Mark Rozendaal: “Renaissance Notation for Beginners”

Sun. March 13, 3-4:30pm ET Mary Springfels: “Trios of Gibbons, Lupo and Coperario”

Sat. April 2, 3-4:30pm ET Patricia Ann Neely: “Susanna Rare on Susanna Fair”
Consort settings of this popular melody by Byrd, Ferrabosco, Lupo, Farnaby, Sweelinck, Sommer, and Dowland.

Sat. May 14, 3-4:30pm ET Lisa Terry: “L’Amorosa Ero”
Explore a 16th-c. Brescian collection of madrigals by a Top 20 hit parade of composers.