2025 Baroque Workshop

TBA

The Baroque Workshop will be a full week of immersive musicking open to singers, wind and string players as well as keyboard and plucked continuo instrumentalists. There will be classes on ornamentation and movement, 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…Community 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/movement 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 Saturday 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
Aki Nishigichi recorder, oboe
Cléa Galhano recorder
Lars Johannesson traverso
Rita Lilly voice
TBA cello, viola da gamba
Anna Marsh bassoon
TBA Baroque movement
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.

Singers, String(er)s and Wind Players...

Can’t make the whole week of the workshop? Join us for one night of musicking, laughter and libations with the SFEMS Baroque Workshop! Bring yourself, your voice and your instrument to downtown Berkeley for a “pre-hearsal” and one casual “play-in”—to the sanctuary of First Church Berkeley UCC (2345 Channing Way, entrance on Dana St.) to dive into two wonderful works:

More information to come.

A reception to follow, as well as a silent auction to benefit the workshop!

The fee for the Cantata Night(s) will be $60. Pitch is set at A=415. You will need to print your own scores and parts, electronic copies of which will be provided upon registration with the email confirmation.

If you have technical difficulties, contact workshop administrator Stacey Helley at workshops@sfems.org.

N.B. This is already included for full-time registrants.

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

UC Berkeley Summer Conference Housing for the Baroque Workshop is in Unit 3, Beverly Cleary Residence Hall (2424 Durant Ave., Berkeley), with meals provided at the Unit 3 Dining Hall (at 2400 Channing).

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

Parking Permits (Residents and Commuters):
Parking permits for the Ellsworth parking structure are NOT included with a housing reservation;

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

No refunds can be issued for parking permits.

Housing:
Housing availability is finite. We only have a certain number of rooms—when they fill, that is it. May 9th is the last day to sign-up for Cal Housing.

A housing reservation includes dining services from Monday night (6/16) through Sunday morning (6/22) 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 Unit 3 Dining Hall 2400 Channing. 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 12. No housing refunds will be issued after this date.

Commuter Meals:
A commuter meal package is available for meals at the Unit 3 Dining Hall at 2400 Channing. The commuter meal package includes dinner on Monday (6/16), lunch and dinner for the rest of the week, and breakfast on Sunday (6/22). Price: TBA

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

You may purchase a commuter meal package until May 12. No refunds can be issued for commuter meal packages.

TUITION:
Full tuition for the Baroque Workshop is $900.

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 2; 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 2.

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

ROOM & BOARD (see above for more information):
Single-occupancy room and board is $1075 (Monday night–Sunday morning).
Double-occupancy room and board is $925 (Monday night–Sunday morning) Please contact us with your planned roommate for this rate.

Room & board must be paid in full upon registration. Full housing refunds can be issued until May 16. May 16th is the last day to purchase housing.

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 $TBD.

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

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.