Immerse yourself in the dramatic and expressive world of Baroque music and learn the basics of Baroque performance practice. Historically Informed Performance (HIP) is the practice of approaching music of the past with knowledge about the musical styles and musical technologies with which it was originally conceived and performed. It is not a recreation of the past but rather an exploration of what the past offers us as 21st-century performers.
The Lamont Baroque Orchestra explores the dramatic and expressive repertoire for chamber ensembles and orchestras from the 17th and 18th centuries. Students learn the basics of Baroque performance practice (notation, national styles, ornamentation, and improvisation) and get to play on period instruments. Baroque string instruments, oboes, recorders, horns, and harpsichord are available for students to use and the ensemble plays at A=415. The ensemble gives a couple informal performances annually but is more focused on experimentation and experience than performance.
The Lamont Consort of Viols explores the beautiful and niche musical world of the viola da gamba (or viol). These six-stringed fretted instruments were popular in the 16th and 17th centuries and a huge repertory of gorgeous polyphonic music was written for ensembles of viols called consorts. Viols of various sizes are available for students to borrow and no prior background is necessary (other than the ability to read notated music). Viols are the easiest stringed instruments to learn. This ensemble is focused on sight-reading music and learning the intricacies of Renaissance polyphony. It performs rarely.
Go to the graduate admission application to submit your information. For information on admission requirements, visit the graduate academic programs page and locate your program of interest.
