The programme

The former monastery of Nieuw Sion in the Salland forests near Deventer in the Netherlands is the venue for this year's seven-day baroque course. This course has two aspects: each morning we work in small ensembles of singers and players of 'early' instruments, both vocal and instrumental separately or in combination. Each afternoon we work together on a joint program with baroque music from Central Europe. All singers and instrumentalists participate in this program.

Jeroen van Bergeijk: "The ideal holiday spending: many days of hard work in a monastery, immersed in music, with an inspiring group of music lovers"

Chamber music

Each morning of the course we work in small ensembles. Everyone is part of two different pre-arranged ensembles. The ensembles work most of the time under the intensive supervision of the teachers. The ensembles present themselves to the other participants at the end of the course. This year the focus is on German, Austrian, Polish and Czech baroque music, but this is optional for chamber music. Feel free to play or sing Italian, English or French music in the small ensemble program.

Birgit Apfelbaum: "In my opinion, La Pellegrina fully lives up to its claim of offering a stimulating environment for dedicated baroque enthusiasts with a professional attitude. I particularly enjoyed the combination of the tutti program with a grand final concert for external listeners and the work in chamber music ensembles accompanied by highly motivated coaches, culminating in a recital attended by the other participants."

Alle formaties vanaf kwartet zijn mogelijk. De ensembles worden in april of mei samengesteld, zodat je je thuis kunt voorbereiden. Binnen de mogelijkheden en beperkingen van de cursus wordt rekening gehouden met wensen voor stukken en instrumentatie. De cursus staat open voor individuele deelnemers en vaste ensembles.

All formations from quartet upward are possible. The ensembles will be assigned in April or May, so you can prepare at home. Wishes for pieces and instrumentation are taken into account, within the possibilities and restrictions of the course. The course is open to individual participants and permanent ensembles.

In the evenings those who still feel like it can form occasional chamber music combinations. A number of rooms and keyboard instruments are available for this.

Lea Schuiling: "Nice of course, doing a piece like this for choir, soloists and orchestra. But the chamber music is really an asset! Singers and instrumentalists, one to a part, with coaching by all teachers ... Something you rarely get the opportunity to do! And when the teachers sometimes contradict each other, .. well, .. that gives space"

Baroque from Central Europe, program for all singers and instrumentalists

Every afternoon, all singers and instrumentalists work together on the programme 'Baroque from Central Europe' for all, which is performed in the monastery church on the last course day as the culmination of the course. The program includes Biber's Requiem in F minor and Zelenka's Miserere in C minor ZWV 57. Of course, at first sectional rehearsals for the choir and orchestra and correpetition for the soloists will be held. Later in the week, all groups join forces to create a colorful and diverse ensemble, in which everyone has their own challenges. Read more about the works and their musical and historical context here.

For whom

Singers

There is room for up to 16 experienced singers. To qualify you must meet the following requirements:

• You are a good sight reader and able to study parts independently
• You are experienced with ensembles for early music in small ensembles (quartet, quintet)
• You have a trained voice suitable for ensemble and solo singing
• You are interested in historical performance practice, tuning systems and ornamentation

Instrumentalists

The maximum instrumental group size is 24. For instruments we can place baroque strings, viola da gamba, traverso/recorder, baroque oboe, baroque bassoon, baroque trumpet & trombone harpsichord/organ, theorbo; period instruments only, tuning pitch 415 Hz.

To qualify you must meet the following requirements:

• You are used to playing period instruments. Modern string players are welcome, but are required to fit their instrument with gut strings and play with a baroque bow. It is possible to borrow baroque bows via La Pellegrina.
• You are experienced in playing in small ensembles.

Harry Kragt: "I melted for the music, not because of the extreme temperatures. I have got the taste for more"

Staffan Rudner: "I think it was great that the tutors also took part in the music as players. Marco Vitale in particular, who dared to play the baroque oboe despite not being professional on that instrument"

Week programme and daily schedule

Week programme

• Thursday morning August 13: arrival at Nieuw Sion, 10:30 course opening and first rehearsal
• Tuesday August 18: final internal presentation of the chamber music ensembles
• Wednesday afternoon August 19: public concert with the programme 'Baroque from Central Europe' in the monastery church, followed by drinks and departure

Annelies Jans: "Each morning two rehearsals, each afternoon two rehearsals, and what we do on our free evenings? Right, make music as much as possible...!"