Baroque Performance Institute Viol Program
The Oberlin Baroque Performance Institute 2024 introduces a new Viol Program featuring four viola da gamba faculty – Catharina Meints, Kenneth Slowik, Rebecca Landell, and Catherine Slowik.
The program will feature daily morning masterclasses and a new Consort Class for Viol Program students. During the afternoon, viol students may participate in a coached viol ensemble focusing on consort repertoire or join a Baroque Ensemble, a mixed-instrument, coached chamber ensemble. Baroque Ensembles will perform on the Saturday Student Recital, and coached consorts may elect to do so also. Throughout, participants will have access to regular BPI programming, including morning beginner viol class, introductory continuo playing, baroque orchestra, chorus, baroque dance, lectures and concerts, and open faculty rehearsals in the evening.
Since the theme of BPI this year is French music we will also offer a program for anyone who wants to learn or play the pardessus de viole. Catharina Meints will have some special classes each week and advanced players might be able to participate in the regular ensemble program. Oberlin has 6 two-string pardessus to lend.
Students in the Viol Program will be provided with a dedicated room for ad hoc consort reading, and will have access to the Oberlin library. Participants may bring their own viols or borrow from Oberlin’s fine collection of instruments. All faculty will be available for private lessons.
The viol program will be offered during both weeks of BPI. Students may attend either or both weeks in any combination, including choosing the Viol Program for one week and the regular BPI curriculum for the other.