Musicians' Day Schedule and Classes

Class Descriptions

Morning Stretch and Warm-Up (Lady Judith fitzHenry)

We can't overemphasize the need to warm up before performing. Lady Judith will lead us in exercises to gently coax our bodies and minds into safe, energetic performing motion. Start your morning properly and get ready for a day of fruitful learning.

Playing Well with Others (Lady Efa vetch Cynan)

Ensemble Skills for intermediate players of soft instruments. We will explore useful ideas and practices for enhancing ensemble play. Repertoire including: Anon., Ferrabosco, Holborne, Phalese, and others.

Loud Band (Mistress Deonna von Aachen)

Be heard. Bring shawms, trombones & other loud winds, or come & listen as we rattle the rafters with this rather distinctive sound. Repertoire varies depending on participants.

Fun Songs I: Rounds and Catches (Lady Judith fitzHenry)

Like the modern equivalents, historical rounds and 'catches' are often shorter pieces which lend themselves to spontaneous sharing. We'll start with "Non Nobis" (known to some as "The OTHER 'Non Nobis'") and focus on songs written down by Thomas Lant (1580) and Thomas Ravenscroft (1609).

Hexachords and the Gamut: An Introduction to Medieval Music Theory (Master John Elys)

Terms and concepts familiar to every educated medieval musician, and how their legacy remains in modern music notation. Where do our modern treble, alto, and bass clefs come from? Why does the flat sign look like the letter b? And ... what about ... Guido?

Fun Songs II: Part-Songs (Master Christopher Darras)

Fun, easy, and familiar songs to sing with your friends at events.

Gamba Jam (Magistra Rufina Cambrensis)

Sport sightreading for violas de gamba, with an emphasis on fifteenth- and sixteenth-century polyphony. If you have a piece you'd like to share, please bring several copies. A few loaner viols will be available for people who already play, but do not own a viol. Vielles also welcome; players of other period bowed strings should check with Rufina. Tune to A=440.

Krummhorns (Baroness Sabine de Kerbriant)

Curious about that odd buzzy "curved horn"? This class will provide an overview of the popular historical instrument and its uses, the period repertoire, and the various modern makers' reconstructions now available, followed by hands-on playing time in basic consort configuration. Several instruments will be available; if you have access to one yourself, please bring it along.

Voices and Viols (Magistra Rufina Cambrensis and Lady Isabeau d'Orleans)

Two great sounds that sound great together! The apex of this combination was the Elizabethan consort song, but we will look at pieces from other repertoires, as well. Sightsinging a plus for singers, but not essential. Viols should tune to A=440.

Recorder Repertoire Reading (Lady Erlan Nordenskald)

Music in 3-6 parts for Soprano, Alto, Tenor, and Bass recorders.

Building Stringed Instruments (Master Arden of Icomb)

Commentary on what we can and do know about medieval stringed instruments, materials and methods used for construction, and how we can use existing fragments of evidence, from iconography, pieces of surviving instruments, and textual descriptions to reconstruct extinct forms. Brief notes also on use of modern materials and methods in comparison to historical. Slide show.

CD Shout & Share (Baroness Sabine de Kerbriant, Master Arden of Icombe, Master John Elys, and Lady Isabeau d'Orleans)

Desert Island Discs meets Speed Dating! Our four panelists will each tell you about five noteworthy recordingss, both new releases and old favorites, and what makes them special.

Big Band Jam Session (coordinated by our crack team of cat-herders)

Informal sightreading of large-scale works of Renaissance polyphony, for voices, recorders and bowed strings. Lots of music, lots of fun.