Virginia baroque academy

June 8-14, 2025

Harrisonburg, ViriginA

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

Singers Only:
Application deadline is April 1, 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

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

  • LYNNE MACKEY

    Academy Director

  • ARTHUR HAAS

    Harpsichord

  • DANIEL LEE

    Baroque Violin

  • JUDITH MALAFRONTE

    Mezzo-Soprano

  • Martha McGaughey

    Viola da Gamba

  • ANNE TIMBERLAKE

    Recorder

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).