2024 Baroque Workshop

This summer, grab your best brocade jacket and come join director Lindsey Strand-Polyak and the SFEMS Baroque Workshop faculty as we become “Americans in Paris” for a weeklong exploration of French and French-influenced music. The court of Louis XIV was imitated all over Europe in architecture, design, fashion, art, language—and yes, music. Besides diving into composers such as Lully, Couperin and Rameau, we’ll look at those outside the Gallic lands who soaked up and reflected French style—yes, even Johann Sebastian Bach.

The Baroque Workshop will be a full week of immersive musicking open to singers, keyboard and plucked continuo instrumentalists, as well as wind and string players. There will be classes on ornamentation and baroque dance (naturellement!), large ensembles such as orchestra and oboe band, chamber music, special talks and technique classes. Special events include Concerto Night, Faculty Concert, Chamber and Orchestra concerts, and new for 2024…Cantata Night!

The Baroque Workshop welcomes players of all levels of experience and ability who want a supportive and welcoming place to discover and develop new musical skills. Pitch for the workshop will be at A=415.

The Baroque Workshop will feature both small and large ensemble instruction, private and group lessons, sight-reading and skill building classes, and baroque dance sessions.

There are four main class periods a day: the morning sessions will emphasize technical instruction; while the afternoon classes will feature further musical exploration, sight-reading, and group practice for a Friday evening performance.

Evening activities include jam sessions, special presentations, and faculty concerts.

Pitch for the workshop will be at A=415.

Click here to learn more about our faculty members!

Our faculty include some of the leading performers and teachers on their respective instruments:

Lindsey Strand-Polyak director and violin
Curtis Foster recorder, oboe
Cléa Galhano recorder
Lars Johannesson traverso
Rita Lilly voice
Eva Lymenstull cello, viola da gamba
Anna Marsh bassoon
Jennifer Meller Baroque dance
Peter Sykes harpsichord, continuo
David Wilson violin, viola

Arthur Omura keyboard collaborator
Derek Tam Cantata Night guest conductor

Everyone! We welcome singers and instrumentalists of all kinds: all vocal types, strings (both violin and viol families), winds, brass, keyboardists and pluckers.

To the best of our ability, we will tailor your experience to your skill level and ability so that you will feel both comfortable and challenged.

Workshop classes and events will be held at the First Presbyterian and First Congregational (First Church UCC) Churches of Berkeley.

UC Berkeley Summer Conference Housing for the Baroque Workshop is in Unit 3, Ida Sproul Residence Hall (2400 Durant Ave., Berkeley), with meals provided at the Crossroads Dining Hall (at Channing and Bowditch).

A commuter meal package (details below) is also available.

Residents and commuters may also consider purchasing a parking permit for the UC Ellsworth parking lot for the duration of the workshop.

Housing:
Housing availability is finite. We only have a certain number of rooms—when they fill, that is it.

A housing reservation includes dining services from Monday night (6/24) through Sunday morning (6/30) for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. There is no reduction in price for late arrivals, early departures, or missed meals.

All meals will be in the Crossroads Dining Hall at Channing and Bowditch. You'll be issued a card for the dining hall upon check-in.

Check-in time is 3pm, and check-out time is 11am.

Beds are made prior to arrival with pillow, pillowcase, sheets, blanket, and bedspread. Two towels, a face cloth, and a bar of soap are provided. Bedrooms are not cleaned during your stay. Common areas are cleaned daily. Pillows, blankets, and bedspreads are available to exchange at each unit front desk if needed.

Housing costs are due upon workshop registration.

Full housing refunds can be issued until May 20. No housing refunds will be issued after this date.

Commuter Meals:
A commuter meal package is available for meals at the Crossroads Dining Hall at Channing and Bowditch. The commuter meal package includes dinner on Monday (6/24), lunch and dinner for the rest of the week, and breakfast on Sunday (6/30).

You may also purchase a la carte meals at the dining hall on your own.

You may purchase a commuter meal package until June 3. No refunds can be issued for commuter meal packages.

Parking Permits (Residents and Commuters):
Parking permits are NOT included with a housing reservation; you will need to purchase one separately for the seven days (Monday through Sunday). Having a permit does not guarantee a space.

Commuters: You may also purchase a parking permit for the UC Ellsworth parking lot, though you may also consider street parking (metered or unmetered) or park in the day-use church lots (availability not guaranteed.)

Parking permits for the UC Ellsworth parking lots are available until June 3. No refunds can be issued for parking permits.

TUITION:
Full tuition for the Baroque Workshop is $875.

Receive an early bird discount of $50 by applying before March 31. SFEMS members in good standing at time of enrollment receive an member discount of $50. These discounts can be combined!

You don’t need to pay the full tuition upfront—secure your spot with a non-refundable deposit of $250.

All outstanding tuition must be paid by June 10; however, to receive the early bird discount, balances must be paid before March 31.

Tuition (other than the $250 non-refundable deposit) is refundable before June 10.

SCHOLARSHIPS:
Tuition assistance is available through our scholarship and work study programs. Please contact administrator Stacey Helley at workshops@sfems.org for more information.

American Recorder Society members are invited to apply for scholarships to weekend and weeklong workshops. Scholarships are available to players of all ages and ability levels. Applicants may join the ARS at a special ½ price rate if not already a member. Visit americanrecorder.org/scholarships for more details and to apply.

ROOM & BOARD (see above for more information):
Single-occupancy room and board is $1025 (Monday night–Sunday morning).
Double-occupancy room and board is $850 (Monday night–Sunday morning).

Room & board must be paid in full upon registration. Full housing refunds can be issued until May 20. No housing refunds will be issued after this date.

COMMUTER MEAL PACKAGE (see above for more information):
The commuter meal package (Monday dinner, lunch and dinner during the week, Sunday breakfast) is $225.

PARKING PERMIT (see above for more information):
A seven-day parking permit is $140.

If you have questions regarding registration or logistics, please contact administrator Stacey Helley at workshops@sfems.org.

If you have questions about workshop programming, please contact workshop director Lindsey Strand-Polyak at baroqueworkshop@sfems.org.