The Madison Youth Viol Consort, founded in 2017, is a part of the Viola da Gamba Society of America's nationwide Consort Loan Program.
Founded in 2017, the Madison Youth Viol Consort offers a unique experience in historical performance for high school students in the Madison area. Students learn to play the viola da gamba (treble, tenor, or bass) with a focus on repertoire from the renaissance (late 1400's through 1500's). MYVC has performed on WORT FM's Musica Antiqua, as guests with the Wisconsin Baroque Ensemble, and at the Chazen Museum of Art as part of the annual Bach Around the Clock celebration.
Viola da gamba consort music engages the heart and mind for a lifetime of music making through the beautiful and complex logic of renaissance counterpoint and the warm, rich resonance of gut strings and acoustic wooden instruments.
Currently Enrolling for new students for the 2024-2025 School year!
Who
Any string player (violin, viola, cello, bass, classical guitar) who will be in 8-12th grade during the 2024-2025 school year with a sense of adventure. Strong reading skills are essential. Students should be playing at or above a Suzuki book 4 or equivalent level. Class size is limited to 6 students.
What
Students will learn the layout of the viola da gamba strings and fret board, how to hold the instrument comfortably, hold the bow underhanded, and learn fundamentals of historically-informed style. Students will explore the exciting and beautiful world of new clefs, repertoire without bar-lines, and polyphonic part music. We will focus on dance music from the renaissance (late 1400's-1500's) and polyphonic consort music.
When
Classes will be held for an hour, once per week on Saturday mornings during the fall of 2024 and spring of 2025 (12 weeks per semester)
Where
Centrally located on Madison's West side.
Cost
Instruments are provided free of charge by the Viola da Gamba Society of America as well as my own personal collection! Tuition will be $150 per semester (12 weeks per semester, fall 2024 and spring 2025.
How to Sign Up
Sign up here.
Any questions? Contact me here.
Instructor Bio
Music educator, Eric Miller Eric has taught cello, trumpet, and viola da gamba lessons to students all ages and abilities at his home in Madison, Wisconsin since 2009 and currently teaches orchestra for the Oregon School District. He is director of the Viola da Gamba Society of America's Young Players' Weekend, founder of the Madison Youth Viol Consort, and has taught at the Madison Early Music Festival, the Blue Lake Family Suzuki Camp, and the Madison Bach Musicians Summer Chamber Workshop. He is trained in the Suzuki Method, and holds degrees from Northern Illinois University and the University of Wisconsin - Madison.
Eric performs as a viola da gambist, cellist, and occasional trumpeter around the Midwest, currently performing with the Wisconsin Baroque Ensemble and frequently giving solo recitals. Previous performance credits include the Madison Choral Project, the Madison Chamber Choir, Madison Youth Choirs, and American Players Theater as well as countless chamber music projects, mostly centered around historical performance.
Viola da gamba consort music engages the heart and mind for a lifetime of music making through the beautiful and complex logic of renaissance counterpoint and the warm, rich resonance of gut strings and acoustic wooden instruments.
Currently Enrolling for new students for the 2024-2025 School year!
Who
Any string player (violin, viola, cello, bass, classical guitar) who will be in 8-12th grade during the 2024-2025 school year with a sense of adventure. Strong reading skills are essential. Students should be playing at or above a Suzuki book 4 or equivalent level. Class size is limited to 6 students.
What
Students will learn the layout of the viola da gamba strings and fret board, how to hold the instrument comfortably, hold the bow underhanded, and learn fundamentals of historically-informed style. Students will explore the exciting and beautiful world of new clefs, repertoire without bar-lines, and polyphonic part music. We will focus on dance music from the renaissance (late 1400's-1500's) and polyphonic consort music.
When
Classes will be held for an hour, once per week on Saturday mornings during the fall of 2024 and spring of 2025 (12 weeks per semester)
Where
Centrally located on Madison's West side.
Cost
Instruments are provided free of charge by the Viola da Gamba Society of America as well as my own personal collection! Tuition will be $150 per semester (12 weeks per semester, fall 2024 and spring 2025.
How to Sign Up
Sign up here.
Any questions? Contact me here.
Instructor Bio
Music educator, Eric Miller Eric has taught cello, trumpet, and viola da gamba lessons to students all ages and abilities at his home in Madison, Wisconsin since 2009 and currently teaches orchestra for the Oregon School District. He is director of the Viola da Gamba Society of America's Young Players' Weekend, founder of the Madison Youth Viol Consort, and has taught at the Madison Early Music Festival, the Blue Lake Family Suzuki Camp, and the Madison Bach Musicians Summer Chamber Workshop. He is trained in the Suzuki Method, and holds degrees from Northern Illinois University and the University of Wisconsin - Madison.
Eric performs as a viola da gambist, cellist, and occasional trumpeter around the Midwest, currently performing with the Wisconsin Baroque Ensemble and frequently giving solo recitals. Previous performance credits include the Madison Choral Project, the Madison Chamber Choir, Madison Youth Choirs, and American Players Theater as well as countless chamber music projects, mostly centered around historical performance.
What is a viol? Click Here for information from the VdGSA or watch this quick video I made below.