Upcoming Concerts, Workshops, and Playing Events

Viola da Gamba Society of America 63nd annual Conclave

13-20 July, 2025

Miami University, Oxford, Ohio

Registration is open for the Viola da Gamba Society of America's 63nd annual Conclave. Please visit https://hume.vdgsa.org/conclave/5/register/ to learn more and to register.

*************

Beginning in September!

Levine School of Music

D.C. Campus, NW

Introduction to Viola da Gamba

Ages 12 - Adult

Jessica Powell Eig, Instructor

Step into the captivating world of the viol consort! This class offers a unique opportunity for musicians aged 12 and up with prior musical experience to delve into the elegant and expressive repertoire of the Renaissance and early Baroque periods.

The viol, a bowed string instrument with frets, boasts a distinctive sound that blends warmth, clarity, and resonance. In this class, you’ll learn to play as part of a consort, a small ensemble of viols, experiencing the joy of collaborative music-making and the intricate beauty of polyphonic textures.

What You’ll Learn:

Viol Technique: Develop fundamental techniques for playing the viol, including bowing, fingering, and intonation, tailored to the specific demands of consort music.
Renaissance and Early Baroque Repertoire: Explore a diverse range of music by composers such as William Byrd, John Dowland, Orlando Gibbons, and others, focusing on consort music specifically written for the viol.
Ensemble Skills: Cultivate essential ensemble skills, including listening, blending, rhythmic accuracy, and following a musical line within a polyphonic texture.
Historical Performance Practice: Gain insights into the historical context and performance practices of the period, including ornamentation, articulation, and stylistic interpretation.
Reading from Facsimiles/Original Notation: Explore facsimiles of original manuscripts and gain exposure to historical music notation.
Understanding of Modes and Early Harmony: Develop familiarity with the modal system and harmonic language prevalent in Renaissance and early Baroque music.

Who Should Take This Class:

Musicians aged 12 and up with prior experience singing or playing a musical instrument (string, wind, keyboard, guitar, voice, etc.).
Individuals interested in exploring early music and historical performance practices.
Those seeking a collaborative and engaging musical experience that will expand their skills and knowledge of early music.
Those who have experience reading musical notation. The various sizes of viol utilize treble, alto, and bass clefs. Class participants should be able to sightread in at least one clef at a basic level and be open to learning a new clef!

Prerequisites:

Basic music reading skills.
Prior experience singing or playing a musical instrument.
A willingness to learn and collaborate.

Class Format:

The class will typically involve:

Group instruction on viol technique and ensemble skills.
Rehearsal of consort repertoire.
Discussion of historical and stylistic aspects of the music.
Individual help and guidance from the instructor.

Instruments:

A limited number of instrument loans are available to class participants through a generous loan from the Viola da Gamba Society of America Please inquire about instrument availability when registering.
Alternatively, rental viols are available from the Viola da Gamba Society of America. https://www.vdgsa.org/rental-viols. Class participants who opt to rent a viol should communicate with the instructor Jessica Powell Eig at jpowelleig@levinemusic.org about which size viol (treble, tenor, or bass) to request.

About the viol:

To learn more about the viol, please visit the Viola da Gamba Society of America (VdGSA). https://vdgsa.org/pgs/the_viol.html

Join us and discover the timeless beauty of the viol consort!

Introduction to Viola da Gamba - Levine Music

*********************

VdGS-GWB Dues: Annual dues ($25 general, $40 household, $15 students/limited means) are due September 30 of every year, so if you haven’t paid/renewed yet, please do so in order to take part in our chapter activities. If paying by check, make checks payable to VdGS-GWB and mail to: Jessica Eig, Treasurer VdGS-GWB, 7408 Ridgewood Ave, Chevy Chase MD 20815.

We also accept payments electronically through Zelle, which is offered by most banks through their mobile apps or desktop online banking. Simply send your dues amount to our email address, violsgwb@gmail.com. You will be asked to enter a First and Last Name, so enter Viola da Gamba and GWB in either field. There is no fee to use Zelle.