upcoming workshop

Consorts & Conversations with New England’s Luthiers

by admin

Workshop Information

Location Richmond Congregational church, 20 Church St., Richmond VT 05477 Date Nov 14, 2026 Start Time 12:30PM End Time 4:30PM

For the third event of the VdGS-NE’s 50th anniversary season, on the weekend of November 14-15, 2026,  we will host a two day event entitled Consorts & Conversations with New England’s Luthiers at two venues in Richmond Vermont.

This two-day workshop offers the unique opportunity to hear from (and perhaps even play with!) seven esteemed viol makers and bowmakers based in New England. On Saturday, participants will play in two coached sessions; on Sunday, they play in one coached session and then gather for a special panel discussion.

Our coaches for the weekend are Sarah Mead, Laurie Rabut, Alice Robbins, James Williamson, and Jane Hershey. Together we’ll look at consort music favored by early 17th-c. viol players including madrigals by Marenzio and Monteverdi and consorts by Coperario, Ward and others.

The builders taking part in the panel discussion are Warren Ellison, Harry Grabenstein, Timothy G. Johnson, Thomas Jocks, Martin Macica, Peter Tourin, and Shirley White. Award-winning media producer Fran Stoddard will serve as our moderator for the Sunday panel discussion. She’ll invite the luthiers to share their expertise on how builders make bows and viols that work for players, and historically-based designs.

On Saturday we will meet at Richmond Congregational Church, 20 Church St., Richmond VT, 05477

On Sunday we will meet at the Richmond Free Library, 201 Bridge St, Richmond VT, 05477

Saturday Schedule

12:30-1:00pm Registration  

1:00-2:30pm
Coached session 1 

3:00-4:30pm
Coached session 2 & intro to the viol

Sunday Schedule 

9:30-11:00am
 Coached session

11:00-11:30am
 Break

11:30am-1:30pm
 Panel Discussion

1:30-2:00pm
 Meet the Builders
  • Pitch is A=415
  • Bring a music stand.
  • Beginning players are welcome. We will offer Intro to the Viol and/or Ensemble Skills classes if there is enough interest. 
  • No need to select classes; participants will be grouped into varying consorts with different coaches.
  • Music PDFs will be available for you to print at home or download to your tablet ahead of time.
  • Don’t attend if you feel unwell; your payment will be refunded or applied to a future event, or you may make it a donation to VdGS-NE.

Panel Topics

  • Bows: What are the historical models, and what are the factors involved in how a bow sounds and feels?
  • Copying old instruments: Comparison of 2 bass viols, Gregor Karpp (c.1700) and copy by Peter Tourin (1990), with a musical demonstration by Doug Kelley and Jane Hershey.
  • Choosing a viol: Players must often navigate a confusing lack of historical standardization in finding an appropriate instrument for their interests.
  • Setting up viols for best sound and response: What are the factors that luthiers work with?

Meals

Saturday dinner is on your own. Within walking distance, Richmond offers several casual restaurants, two pizzerias, and a bakery. The grocery store Richmond Market and Beverage is open from 7am to 8pm every day. 

On Sunday, light brunch snacks and coffee will be provided during the break, or you can bring your own meal.

Housing

La Quinta Inn in Williston, VT is holding a block of 10 rooms for us until October 13 priced at $120 per room. Options are one king bed or two queen beds. To reserve yours, call La Quinta at 802-216-0892 and give the group name “VdGS-NE”. If you have any trouble making the reservation, contact VdGS-NE member Elizabeth Newman at enewman@gmavt.net. 

Register by November 1 to reserve your spot!

Late registrants will be accepted only if space is available. If you have any questions about the workshop, please contact our secretary.

You may also register on paper using the flyer.