Enhance your technique and ensemble playing during an intensive workshop with directors Letitia Berlin & Lawrence Lipnik, plus other stellar faculty. Two fabulous weeks - choose either week or both! Week# 1 October 26 - November 1, 2025. Week #2 November 2 - 8, 2025.
Revel in the lyrical sounds of the recorder, viola da gamba, harpsichord, dulcian & shawm as you share your musical gifts during a week-long intensive early music workshop. Enhance your skills in small classes taught by expert instructors with emphasis on improving technique and playing with ensembles. At Hidden Valley Music Seminars, An Institute of the Arts, nestled amongst oak and buckeye trees below majestic hillsides, enjoy a serene and inspiring place for playing music in the world famous Monterey/Carmel area.
Technique classes geared toward application of technique, practice to the repertoire – making music out of notes! Master class and consort classes. The 2025 theme is currently TBD and will be announced once available.
Each workshop week includes four daily classes, morning stretching, and impromptu group playing in the evening. Wednesday includes a free afternoon to explore the beautiful Carmel/Monterey area, play music, or just relax!
And there’s more!
– Faculty Concert on Thursday evening
– Student Concert on Friday before dinner
– Open Mic Party on Friday after dinner
– Happy Hour every day
October 26 - November 1, 2025 Week #1
This program is for intermediate to advanced recorder and viola da gamba players. Recorder players must be able to play at least two sizes (at least one F instrument and one C instrument).
Workshop Directors, Letitia Berlin and Lawrence Lipnik
All-Workshop Orchestra, conducted by Frances Blaker
Recorder Faculty, Letitia Berlin, Frances Blaker, and Lawrence Lipnik
Viola da gamba Faculty, Lawrence Lipnik and David Morris
Early Strings Faculty, Shira Kammen
November 2 - 8, 2025 Week #2
This program is for intermediate to advanced recorder, viola da gamba, and dulcian/shawm players. Recorder players must be able to play at least two sizes (at least one F instrument and one C instrument). The renaissance reeds track (dulcian/shawm) is open by audition/permission. Please contact the workshop director, Tish Berlin tishberlin@sbcglobal.net to arrange an online audition.
Workshop Directors, Letitia Berlin and Lawrence Lipnik
All-Workshop Orchestra, conducted by Frances Blaker
Recorder Faculty, Letitia Berlin, Frances Blaker, and Lawrence Lipnik
Viola da gamba Faculty, Mary Springfels
Dulcian/shawm Faculty, Wouter Verschuren (this program open by permission of Directors)
Dulcian consort class, Letitia Berlin
Registration: Cost (tuition, housing, meals & fees) starting at $1,399. Workshop will be closed to enrollment 35 days before the start date. This means that you must register for week #1 through Road Scholar by Saturday September 20th and register for week #2 through Road Scholar by Saturday September 27th.