There is more to Conclave than meets the eye! Conclave is made up of several different programs that take place in parallel and occasionally overlap. Some of the programs have different tuition rates which you can learn about on the Fees page. Participation in any program automatically gains you access to our exciting extra-curricular events such as concerts, lectures, vendor demonstrations, the auction, and the banquet. Read about our many offerings below and find the program that's right for you.
Regular Curriculum (Full- & part-time, in person)
Full-time attendees enroll in two or three classes (1st–3rd Periods). Additionally, they may register for one of the optional “freebie” classes offered during 4th Period.
Part-time attendees enroll in one class only (1st, 2nd, or 3rd Period). Some participants prefer a lighter schedule and choose this option, while still enjoying all the other Conclave activities and events.
Online Conclave Curriculum
Online attendees enroll in one, two, or three classes (1st–3rd Periods). Additionally, they may register for the optional, live-streamed “freebie” class offered during 4th Period.
Online Class Schedule
1st Period: 9:00 am – 10:15 am EDT (Monday – Friday)
2nd Period: 11:00 am – 12:00 pm EDT (Monday – Friday)
3rd Period: 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm EDT (MTThFS - no class Wednesday)
4th Period: 3:45 pm – 5:00 pm EDT “Freebie” class (MTThFS - no class Wednesday)
Saturday class schedule
3rd Period: 9:00 am – 10:00 am EDT
4th Period: 11:00 am – 12:15 pm EDT “Freebie” Class option
Beginning Viol: Introduction to the Viol (In person only)
As an outreach to the community, we provide the Beginning Viol Program tuition free for area residents and others staying off campus. Those staying on campus pay the minimum workshop fee, plus room and board. An "add-on" class is also available to all Beginners. Plus, a NEW offering this year is the “Happy Evenings Consort Club” at 9pm, open to players at all levels, including beginners.
The Beginning Viol class, "Introduction to the Viol", introduces basic technique, ensemble playing, practicing skills, and ideas for how to continue playing the viol after Conclave. The class meets Monday through Friday 2nd Period from 11:00 am–12:15 pm. Participants may add a Beginners +1 class for an additional $100. Possible Beginners +1 classes this year are: 1st Period “Gentle Consorts” and “Music Theory Review for Viol Players”; 3rd Period “Turn, Turn, Turn”, “Brent’s Bowing,” and “Coming Home to the Viol”.
Freebie classes available to those taking “Introduction to the Viol” and a Beginners +1 class include: 4th Period “Voices & Viols”, “The More the Merrier,” and “Feldenkrais”. To take a Freebie class, please register for it like other classes.
Time: MTWThF, 11:00–12:15 pm (In-person, 2nd period)
You will need to become a member of the VdGSA prior to registering for this class. Membership is a modest $35.00 for the year.
For more information about this program, contact Conclave Music Director Julie Elhard.
*Instruments are available to Beginners to borrow free of charge with advance registration. Please check the appropriate box when you sign up for the Beginning Viol Program to indicate that you are interested in borrowing an instrument.
Beginning Viola da Gamba for Teens (Online only)
This FREE class for Teens ages 13–18 is being offered for the second time. It will introduce basic technique, ensemble playing, practicing skills, and ideas for how to continue to play the viol after Conclave. Interested students may sign up for this free course, which will meet Monday through Friday, 5:00 pm–6:00 pm (Eastern Daylight Time) via the Zoom platform. Students without access to a viol are invited to audit this course. Local VdGSA chapters will make every effort to provide beginning students with instruments to use during the week for this class. Participants are welcome to attend all other online Conclave events, such as lectures and concerts.
Time: MTWThF, 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm EDT
While you need to be a member of the VdGSA to register for Conclave, we’re happy to grant a free temporary membership for participants of this program. You can get a free membership by going here and clicking ‘Join’ to create an account. After you enter your info and create your password, send an email to
our membership secretary Nancy Washer with the subject: “Membership for
Teen Beginners”. This may take a few days to process.
For more information about this program contact Conclave Music Director Julie Elhard.
Seasoned Players (In person)
The Seasoned Players program offers participants a chance to play through consort repertoire in a relaxed, social, and self-directed setting. The program is open to former participants of Seasoned Players, Conclave faculty on leave, and those with A scores based on the Self-Rating Guide. While the coordinator helps organize the players, the program is collaborative in nature and each participant contributes to the process. Those who wish to take one class from the Regular Curriculum can choose the SP+1 option for an additional fee.
For more information about this program, contact Seasoned Players Coordinator Anthony Allen.
Advanced Projects (In person)
The Advanced Projects program is open to advanced players, faculty on rotation, scholars/performers, former participants of the Consort Cooperative program, and other players with A+ scores based on the Self-Rating Guide. Participants may propose a project that spans one or more sessions, or simply request to play in other projects. They may also be invited to participate in faculty projects. Past projects have included: proofreading new editions of consort music, exploring unfamiliar repertoire old and new, and playing from original notation. 2022 being an International Leo M. Traynor Composition Competition year, participants will have the opportunity to register for the faculty-led Traynor classes to perform the winning pieces on the Faculty Spotlight Concert. Those who wish to take one coached class from the Regular Curriculum can choose the AP+1 option for an additional fee. To apply for AP, select the Seasoned Players program. Later in the registration process, you will be directed to a special questionnaire for Advanced Projects.
For more information about this program, contact Advanced Projects Coordinator Anthony Allen.
Consort Cooperative (In person)
Consort Cooperative is a program designed for early-career professional viol players who want to develop their entire professional tool-kit, including coaching and communicating as a teacher, rather than focusing only on technical and interpretational skills. In this collaborative and intensive week, participants independently rehearse consort music with the aim of presenting a public concert at the end of the week for the whole Conclave community. Participants are encouraged to pick repertoire that pushes the envelope: past performances have included free improvisation, new compositions, and arrangements of music for other ensembles, in addition to the core consort repertoire. Participants will choose pieces well in advance of Conclave for their CC project and are expected to put in significant preparation before arriving, as rehearsal time will be limited.
In addition to Consort Co-op activities, every participant takes one or two classes of their choice from the Regular Curriculum. The option to take two classes “CC 2+2” is new this year and is intended to allow students to work more closely with Conclave faculty while still getting the unique experience of the Consort Co-op program. Participants are expected to be working on their teaching skills and should pay particular attention to how the teachers of their classes work with students.
Daily Schedule:
CC 3+1 (traditional schedule)– CC projects 1st, 3rd and 4th Periods, Regular Curriculum classe 2nd Period.
CC 2+2 – CC projects 3rd and 4th Periods, Regular Curriculum classes 1st Period and 2nd Periods.
How to Apply (deadline: May 31)
-
If you have not participated in Consort Co-op before, please email the coordinator (consort.coop@gmail.com) with a short statement about your background and what you would like to get out of the program.
-
You may be asked for supporting material (professional CV, recordings, references) on an as-needed basis.
-
Please wait to register for Conclave until after notification of acceptance into the program; this will be within a week of submitting the supplementary materials. Then, complete the normal Conclave registration process, selecting the "Consort Cooperative" program option.
-
Past participants who have done the program fewer than three times may register for Conclave and choose “Consort Cooperative” as their program without contacting the coordinator first.
-
Those who have done Consort Co-op three or more times should contact the coordinator to be placed on a waiting list.
-
Once the full group is decided, you will be asked to fill out a detailed survey where you will suggest pieces that you want to work on.
For more information about this program or to apply, please contact Consort Cooperative Coordinator James Williamson.
Vendors (In person)
Makers and vendors of instruments, bows, and related materials are invited to exhibit at Conclave. Exhibit space with a table will be available in the Emporium, which also hosts the VdGSA Store and the full‐service vendor. While we make every effort to provide additional exhibit space if requested, we can only guarantee one table in advance. All Exhibitors must complete registration, including housing requests, by June 15.
For Exhibitors not taking classes: register for the special Exhibitors program, which allows the option of part-week stays. The fee is $25 per table per day, plus a pro-rated Workshop Fee.
For Exhibitors who plan to take classes: register for the desired tuition program, then also request exhibit space; in this case there is no extra charge for the exhibit space.
For more information about this program, contact Vendor Coordinator Kip Irvine.