Virginia baroque academy

June 8-14, 2025

Asbury United Methodist Church
205 S. Main Street
Harrisonburg, VirginiA

Immerse yourself in the world of baroque performance practice with solo masterclass and ensemble coaching from internationally acclaimed artist faculty.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Application Deadline:
May 1, 2025

Please note:  Recorder Class is FULL (Accepting Waitlist applications only)

Singers Only:
Application deadline is April 10, 2025

Before you submit, please pay the $25 application fee at the link on the application page.

ACADEMY FEES

Application Fee
$25

Full Workshop Tuition
$500

Sunday, June 8 – Saturday, June 14

Includes: All Morning Masterclasses, Afternoon Chamber Coaching and Opera Rehearsals, Special Sessions, Bach Festival Noon Concerts, Baroque Artist Faculty Concert (Thurs, June 12) as well as the Final Workshop Concert and Reception (Sat, June 14)

Auditor
$150 week/$35 day

No participation included.

Limited Scholarships Available

Include request with your application.

Questions?

Contact Baroque Academy Director, Lynne Mackey at lmackey8@gmail.com

Virginia Baroque Academy Faculty Concert

Thursday, June 12, 2025 at 7:30 pm
Asbury United Methodist Church

Bach goes to England

Featuring:
JUDITH MALAFRONTE - MEZZO SOPRANO
ANNE TIMBERLAKE - RECORDER
DANIEL LEE - VIOLIN
MARTHA MCGAUGHEY - VIOLA DA GAMBA
ARTHUR HAAS - HARPSICHORD  


Trio Sonata for Violin, Viola da gamba, and Harpsichord by John Jenkins (1592-1678)

Greensleeves to a Ground, for Recorder and continuo by Anon.
from The Division Flutist 

Selections for Lyra-Viol solo by Tobias Hume (c.1569-1645)
[Untitled] (from The Manchester Book)  
Life
Deth
Loves Farewell

Song:  Under the Greenwood Tree by Thomas Arne (1710-1778)  

Sonata 1 for Violin, Viola da gamba and Continuo by William Corbett (c.1670-1748)
Adagio
Fuga allegro
Adagio – Largo
Allegro

Intermission

Sonata for Violin and Harpsichord, BWV 1019 by Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
Allegro                            
Largo
Allegro
Adagio
Allegro

Sonata 2 on a Scottish Air, for Recorder, Violin, and continuo by Francesco Geminiani (1687-1762)
Bush aboon Traquair                        

Song:  When Icicles Hang By The Wall by Thomas Arne

Ground for Harpsichord by William Croft (1678-1727)

Sonata 3 for Recorder, Violin, Gamba, and continuo by John Blow (1649-1708)
Presto – Adagio – [Allegro] – Presto da capo

AREAS OF STUDY

This Workshop is designed to give participants hands-on experience in Baroque technique and interpretation through masterclasses and coached ensemble sessions with internationally acclaimed faculty.  We welcome players of all levels in this five-day Baroque immersion course.  Pitch will be at both 415 and 440.  Solo practice time will be available for all participants.

violin/viola

Period style, technique, and ensemble playing for violinists, violists, and cellists. Accepting 4 violinists, 1 violist, and 1 cellist this year. Encouraged to apply early.

harpsichord

Participants will be expected to come with at least two solo pieces – one by J.S. Bach and another of their own choosing.  English music of the late 17th and early 18th century is suggested, such as by Purcell, Croft, or Handel in keeping with the special project’s English theme this year.  Continuo will move at the level of the participants, concentrating on rhythmic as well as harmonic accentuation. 

viola da gamba

Individualized instruction for all levels.  Solo, consort, and duo repertoire.  Intro to viol for string players.  Different aspects of right- and left-hand technique will be covered each day.

recorder

Technique, period performance practice, solo and ensemble repertoire, individual and group coaching, and special topics.

voice

Solo vocal repertoire, style, language, ornamentation, rhetoric, presentation.  Music for all voice types.

BAROQUE ACADEMY FACULTY

SPECIAL PROJECT

“The Judgement of Paris” (1703)


dramatic excerpts from the settings
by John Weldon, John Eccles, and Daniel Purcell
Libretto by John Congreve

In addition to our normal masterclasses and chamber ensembles in the workshop, we are featuring a special project – a performance of dramatic excerpts from the above settings of “The Judgement of Paris.”  Scored for 5 singers and small Baroque ensemble, this project can involve many of the participants enrolled in the workshop and will be an exciting addition to our offerings this year.

In 1700 a competition was held in London to encourage English opera composition. A "Musick Prize" was offered for the best setting of William Congreve’s short libretto, “The Judgement of Paris.” After a grand finale performance, the audience judged the winner. First prize went to John Weldon, second to John Eccles, third to Daniel Purcell, and fourth to Gottfried Finger.

We will perform excerpts from these settings (Finger's is lost, alas). There will be roles for Venus, Pallas, Juno (soprano or mezzo), Paris (alto or tenor), and Mercury (tenor or bass). 

THANK YOU to OUR GENEROUS 2025 HARPSICHORD LENDERS!!!

David Edwards

James Madison University

Lynne Mackey

William Polhill

Staunton Music Festival

Waynesboro Presbyterian Church

Zuckermann Flemish Single

Hubbard Kit French Double & Hubbard Kit Flemish Single

Dowd French Double

Zuckermann Italian Single

Hubbard Kit French Double

Hubbard Kit French Double