2019 Music Discovery Workshop & Youth Collegium
School of the Madeleine, Berkeley, CA
June 16–21, 2019
Colonial America: Yankee Doodle is Coming to Town!
Journey back to Colonial America, where children and adults gather for an evening of merriment and are surprised by a visit from none other than George Washington! People worked hard by day, but when night fell, they put on their best dresses and suits to participate in most delightful evenings of entertainment. Experience these early American pleasures as we delight in music, dance, games, and theater from almost two-and-a-half centuries ago. Our experienced music and dancing masters will introduce the popular music, dances, and entertainments of the day, and our creative theater director and artistic craftspeople will present a dramatic production that will be the talk of the town.
2019 Tuition
$490 by March 31;$525 thereafter
Sibling discount: $50
SFEMS/EMA/ARS member discount: $10
Returning students! Tell a friend about MDW/YC and when you both register, you each save $25*!
Simply have your friend(s) write your name on their registration form and a refund will be processed within one week for both of you. *There is a limit of one referral discount per student, but you may refer as many friends as you like. This offer is not applicable with other discounts or tuition deposits.
Limited scholarships available. Please inquire: discoveryworkshop@sfems.org
About the Workshop:
Music Discovery Workshop & Youth Collegium is a premier workshop for the kids in grades 1-12. Originally founded by Lee McRae in 1994, it has established itself as a unique gem among music workshops for children, not only here in the Bay Area, but in the nation.
Music Discovery Workshop is for younger children, in grades 1-6, who are looking for a fun and artistic introduction to the music of 1600-1800. The focus of the workshop is to introduce and immerse children in early music from the Middle Ages to the Classical period, while providing historical and cultural context, all in a fun, hands on way through instrumental and vocal music, theater and arts and crafts.
The Youth Collegium is a concurrent program designed for older, more experienced students, in grades 7 – 12, who want to explore early music in greater depth. Youth Collegium participants spend three periods daily in its dedicated All-Collegium band or choir and will explore the music performed and enjoyed by Colonial Americans. Students round out their day by having semi-private lessons, and elective options of drama, art and period dance.
We request all Youth Collegium applicants to submit a brief, casual video so we may better assess their musical level. This video does not have to be a performance. It may be a brief recording of a piece or a work in progress and may be filmed on a mobile device. Please send the video to the director, Yuko Tanaka at discoveryworkshop@sfems.org.
About the Classes:
Music classes are taught by our faculty, in semi-private instructions. We are proud to keep a very low teacher-to-student ratio, between 1:2 – 1:5. Music classes include: voice, recorder, violin, viola, cello, viola da gamba, harpsichord. All classes are taught in rotation: music, chamber ensemble, musicianship, dance, arts and crafts, choir, and theater. Also unique to the Workshop, all students will be introduced to the Baroque instrument called viola da gamba. By the end of the week, the children will have learned how to play this uniquely Baroque instrument! During assembly, we will have visits from special guests and early music specialists who may include instrument builders, performers, fencers, and others.
Snapshot from a typical day at the Music Discovery Workshop & Youth Collegium:
At the conclusion of our final Workshop day on Friday, families are invited to attend our Final Performance. The evening begins with a chamber ensemble concert of all the Workshop students, made concert-ready in just five days, and a highly imaginative, unique theater production including music, dance, singing, costumes and props made by the students during arts and crafts. The evening finale will be final pot-luck celebration, as we revel in our newly forged friendships and camaraderie. As families depart, we all make a renewed promise to see each other again the following summer — and most of our families return year after year!
About the Faculty:
The faculty are a dedicated team of experienced music educators, who have taught or are currently faculty members at music centers such as SF Conservatory of Music, UC Berkeley, Pacific Boychoir Academy, San Ramon Youth Symphony, East Bay Center for the Performing Arts, and San Francisco Youth Chorus. In addition, our faculty brings the unique benefits to our students of by sharing their experiences and insights as professional performers in Bay Area ensembles such as Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, American Bach Soloists, San Francisco Symphony, San Francisco Ballet Orchestra, Carmel Bach Festival, and Archetti. Our Workshop opens with a special faculty concert that will appeal to the parents and students alike.
2019 Faculty List
Vicki Melin, recorder
Jonathon Hampton, voice—Youth Collegium Vocal Director
Jennifer Meller, baroque dance
Farley Pearce, Baroque Cello, viola da gamba
David Sego, violin/viola—Youth Collegium Instrumental Director
Adam Sussman, theater
Jen Hobbs, arts & crafts
Yuko Tanaka, D.M.A., harpsichord—Musical Discovery Workshop and Youth Collegium Director
To register online, please log in to your existing patron account, or create a patron account if you do not have one. If you forgot your password, please click the “forgot my password” button.
Questions about registration? Contact us at workshops@sfems.org. For workshop questions please contact director Yuko Tanaka at discoveryworkshop@sfems.or