2025 Medieval & Renaissance Workshop

Songs & Dances both High & Low

This summer we will explore intimate relations between songs and dances (ca. 1100-1600), both high and low. Songs were danced and dances were sung to words both low & bawdy and high & courtly. Low stepping bassadanzas and pavanes gave way to leaping saltarellos and galliards. And all came together in service of the most sacred Masses built on bawdy and courtly songs and dances. 

Highlights of the workshop will include classes devoted the medieval dance songs  (led by Shira Kammen), a special class devoted to singing solo and consort songs of John Dowland and William Byrd (led by Jennifer Kampani and Jason Yoshida), classes in consort music on recorders, brass, and reeds (led by Rotem and Adam Gilbert, Adam Bregman, and Katharina Haun), and an All-Workshop Collegium concert with dance songs from the Cantigas de Santa Maria and Llibre vermell de Monsterrat and Masses by Guillaume Faugues and Henricus Isaac crafted on the great dance tenor La spagna. In addition to copious playing and singing, Adam Bregman has promised to lead us in dancing steps based on his latest research on the basse danse and bassadanza.

We welcome new faculty members: cornetto and recorder virtuoso Katharina Haun (from Basel, Switzerland) and renowned and beloved singer Jennifer Ellis Kampani. We welcome back Jason Yoshida who will teach lute, vihuela, and Renaissance guitar, and coach and accompany singers.

There are four class periods during the day: your choice of technique classes in the morning; a late morning collegium for the whole group; and two “special topic” classes in the afternoon.

There is time every evening for individual or group practice, followed by special presentations or faculty concerts.

The week culminates in student performances Friday night and Saturday morning.

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

Adam Gilbert, director, historical recorder, shawm, and bagpipes
Jennifer Ellis Kampani, voice
Adam Bregman, brass and winds
Rotem Gilbert, historical recorder, shawm, and bagpipes
Katharina Haun cornetto, recorder
Shira Kammen, vielle and fiddle
Jason Yoshida, lute, theorbo

Everyone! We welcome singers and instrumentalists of all kinds: all vocal types, strings, winds, brass, and keyboardists playing instruments of the period.

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 Congregational Church of Berkeley (FCCB).

UC Berkeley Summer Conference Housing for the Med/Ren 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 are NOT included with a housing reservation; you will need to purchase one separately for the seven days (Sunday through Saturday). Having a permit does not guarantee a space.

🚙 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. June 9th is the last day to sign-up for Cal Housing. 

A housing reservation includes dining services from Sunday night (7/13) through Saturday morning (7/19) for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. There is no reduction in price for late arrivals, early departures, or missed meals.

🛌  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.

All meals will be in the Unit 3 Dining Hall at 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.

Housing costs are due upon workshop registration. 

Questions? Email SFEMS Workshops Coordinator Stacey Helley at workshops@sfems.org

TUITION:
Full tuition for the Medieval & Renaissance 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 29; 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 July 1.

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 (Sunday night–Saturday morning).
Double-occupancy room and board is $925 (Sunday night–Saturday morning). Please contact us with your planned roommate to receive this rate.

Room & board must be paid in full upon registration. Full housing refunds can be issued until June 13. No housing refunds will be issued after this date.

COMMUTER MEAL PACKAGE (see above for more information):
The commuter meal package (Sunday dinner, lunch and dinner during the week, Saturday 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 SFEMS administrator Stacey Helley at workshops@sfems.org.

If you have questions about workshop programming, please contact workshop director Adam Knight Gilbert at medrenworkshop.sfems@gmail.com.