Regular Curriculum (Full- & part-time)
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.
Beginning Viol
As an outreach to the community, we provide this program tuition free for area residents and others staying off campus. On-campus attendees in this program pay the minimum workshop fee, plus room and board. You will need to become a member of the VdGSA prior to registering for Conclave. Annual membership is a modest $35.00, or just $20 for students.
This class introduces basic viol technique, ensemble playing, practicing skills, and ideas about how to continue playing the viol after Conclave. Participants may add one lower intermediate (LI) or beginning level (B+) class for an additional $120. Possible add-on classes for beginners this year are: 1st Period “Gentle Consorts” and 3rd Period “Heaven and Earth: Pavans and Dances by Holborne.”
The 4th Period freebie classes are also available to those in the Introduction to the Viol program at no extra cost. To take a Freebie class, please register for it like other classes. Additionally, beginners are invited to the “Happy Evenings Consort Club” at 9 pm, led by Jessica Powell Eig and open to players of all levels.
Time: MTWThF, 11:00–12:15 pm (2nd period)
For more information about this program, contact Conclave Music Director Julie Elhard.
* Beginners are eligible to borrow a viol to use during Conclave, free of charge with advance registration. Please indicate that you are interested in borrowing an instrument when you sign up for the Beginning Viol Program.
Seasoned Players & Advanced Projects
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 advanced or advanced plus 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. Please plan to keep the 1st and 4th periods free for the SP program if you plan to participate in Seasoned Players.
Advanced Projects: For those in the Seasoned Players program who want to have more focus during their week, Advanced Projects, an option within the Seasoned Players program, is open to advanced 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. Past projects have included: proofreading new editions of consort music, exploring unfamiliar repertoire old and new such as Italian consort music and Dowland’s Lachrimae cycle, lyra viol playing, and playing from original notation. Bring your unfettered imagination! Those who wish to take one class from the Regular Curriculum can choose the SP+1 option for an additional fee. Please keep 1st and 4th Period free if you plan to participate in Advanced Projects. To apply for Advanced Projects, select the Seasoned Players program in Registration. Later in the process, you will be directed to a special questionnaire for Advanced Projects.
For more information about this program, contact the Project Coordinator Anthony Allen.
Consort Cooperative
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 presented free improvisation, new compositions, and arrangements of music for other ensembles alongside 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 available to a limited number of participants 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 encouraged to pay close attention to how the teachers of their classes work with students.
Daily Schedule and Class Selection:
CC 3+1 (traditional schedule)– CC projects 1st, 3rd and 4th Periods, Regular Curriculum class 2nd Period.
CC 2+2 – CC projects 3rd and 4th Periods, Regular Curriculum classes 1st and 2nd Periods.
How to Apply (deadline: May 31)
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If you have not participated in Consort Co-op before, please email the coordinator with a short statement about your background and what you would like to get out of the program. Please include in your statement whether you want to participate in the 2+2 option as space is limited.
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You may be asked for supporting material (professional CV, recordings, references) on an as-needed basis.
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Returning participants should still contact the coordinator before registering but will not need to provide a statement of intent or supporting materials.
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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.
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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
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.
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. To register for Online Conclave make sure to click on the registration link specifically for Online Conclave.
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, meets Saturday)
4th Period: 3:45 pm – 5:00 pm EDT “Freebie” class (MTThFS - no class Wednesday, meets Saturday)
Saturday class schedule:
3rd Period: 9:00 am – 10:00 am EDT
4th Period: 11:00 am – 12:15 pm EDT “Freebie” Class option