10/25/2026 - 10/31/2026
11/1/2026 - 11/7/2026
Each week long workshop opens Sunday at 2:00 pm and closes on Saturday at 9:00 a

Workshop

Revel in the lyrical sounds of the recorder, viola da gamba and harpsichord 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, in Carmel Valley, California, nestled amongst oak and buckeye trees below majestic hillsides, enjoy a serene and inspiring place for playing music. 

This unique experience includes opportunities for daily early morning stretching and breathing, daily happy hour, locally sourced meals, free time for local exploration or playing, live faculty and student performances, and interaction with the local community.

The 2026 musical theme is Music from Spain and England from the Middle Ages on, as well as music of the New World and Netherlands. Specific class offerings differ by date and will be given out 6 weeks before the program begins.

Week #1 (Oct 25 - 31, 2026) Faculty: Letitia Berlin (recorder), Frances Blaker (recorder & orchestra), Lawrence Lipnik (recorder & viola da gamba), David Morris (viola da gamba), and Shira Kammen (early strings & repertoire).

Week #2 (November 1 - 7, 2026) Faculty:  Letitia Berlin (recorder), Frances Blaker (recorder & orchestra), Lawrence Lipnik (recorder & viola da gamba), Mary Springfels (viola da gamba), and Alison Gangler (dulcian and shawm).
 

Setting: In-Person
Hidden Valley Music Seminars
104 W Carmel Valley Road
Carmel Valley, CA 93924

Click here for Google Maps

Renee Babcock
(phone: 8312363188)

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). The November 1, 2026 program includes dulcian and shawm. The dulcian and shawm programs are open by audition. Please contact the workshop director at tishberlin@sbcglobal.net to arrange an online audition. 

All registration is done through Road Scholar and the program closes to registration 35 days before it begins. 

Cost & Housing Options:
Hidden Valley Music Seminars campus (Waddell Center building): $1,499 Double (roommate matching available) & $1919 Single
Hidden Valley Inn (newly renovated inn located next door to campus): $2,099 Double (roommate matching not available, must sign-up with a roommate for a double room at the inn) & $2,789 single

 

•  https://www.roadscholar.org/6254

Click here to setup an email reminder for this event