Viola da Gamba Society of America

Members' Area Circuit Rider Program The Circuit Rider program is now accepting applications for Circuits starting in 2022! Apply here . Applications due by October 15th. ​ In 2008 the VdGSA initiated the "Circuit Rider Program" to provide support to communities that do not have a local viol teacher and wish to set up an ongoing relationship with a viol teacher by covering the cost of travel for a teacher to visit the community. The purpose of the program is to provide an opportunity for players in such communities to have ongoing lessons that will give direction to practice time and help set goals. ​ The application deadline for the Circuit Rider program is October 15 of each year with award decisions announced by November 1. The contact person must be a VdGSA member in good standing. See below for full information, including the "piggy-back option" (for a group close enough to an established Circuit to be able to offer their teacher another partial Circuit with coordinated dates). ​ The Circuit Rider program has expanded to include both 2- and 4-visit Circuits within the calendar year. The Full Circuit consists of 4 visits completed between January and December. The Half Circuit consists of 2 visits to be completed within 6 months, and is offered on a one-time basis as an enticement for new groups to try out the program and hopefully get ready for a Full Circuit the next year. Contact the Circuit Rider Coordinator, Isabel Hendry for more information. Program Guidelines: ​ ​ Ready to apply? Here are the steps you'll need to take: ​ Consult with other local players and assemble a group interested in having lessons and willing to make either, a one-year commitment to the program for a Full Circuit of 4 visits, or a six-month commitment for a Half Circuit of 2 visits (The Half Circuit is a one-time only, introductory option to the Full Circuit Rider program) Agree to guarantee the teacher a minimum of 10 hours of teaching at a rate of $50/hour for each visit (Canadian subsidies available). These teaching hours may be private lessons, group coachings, master classes, or beginner sessions. Your group may decide to divvy up payments as they see fit but must provide the teacher with a minimum of $500 per visit.​ Select a teacher from the list of participating teachers (below) and contact that teacher directly. The list of teachers includes airports nearest them so you can factor in travel costs when choosing.​ Contact the teacher and set up a preliminary schedule of 2 (Half Circuit) or 4 (Full Circuit) visits. Arrange to provide housing, food, and local transportation (as needed) for the teacher during each visit. The teacher's airfare, taxis, shuttles, and possibly rental car, can all be included in the travel budget paid by the VdGSA, as long as the total falls within the $500 per trip allowance. If your area is too small to guarantee 10 teaching hours per visit and is geographically close to an existing Circuit, you may apply to "piggy-back" on the existing Circuit. Piggy-back groups must guarantee 5 hours of teaching ($250) and may apply for a travel stipend of up to $125 per visit. Here are two examples of successful programs that may be used as a model to help guarantee the success of your new program. ​ ​ Here's what you'll get from the program: Coaching for any size or level of group, on music chosen by you or provided by your instructor. Continuity: personalized lessons from the same teacher with time to practice in between. A choice of teachers who are committed to the goals of the program. A special hourly rate below the national average. Because of the Circuit Riders’ generosity and desire to reach as many interested players as they can, the teaching rate for a Circuit is discounted by the teacher and set at only $50* per hour. Full Circuit: A stipend (paid directly to the teacher by the VdGSA) of up to $2,000 for 4 visits per year ($500/visit) to cover the Circuit Rider's travel; OR Half Circuit: A stipend (paid directly to the teacher by the VdGSA) of up to $1,000 for 2 visits over 6 months ($500/visit) to cover the Circuit Rider's travel. Additional funds are available for communities that can "piggy-back" their visits so that the teacher can make one multi-destination trip. ​ ​ *Canadian applicants my submit a request with their application for a subsidy to cover the difference between CAD$50 and USD$50. Circuit Rider Teachers: You must choose a teacher from amongst the VdGSA teaching members who have agreed to participate in the program. To browse the list of participating teachers and read about them, please visit the Circuit Rider teachers page. How to apply: Click here to fill out the application form . Deadline: The deadline for applications for each calendar year is October 15 of the previous year. For information about applications or general information about the Circuit Rider Program, contact Coordinator Isabel Hendry .

2021 Young Players' Weekend 2021 VdGSA Young Players' Weekend ​ Welcome, Viol Players! ​ It is my pleasure to invite you to the 2021 VdGSA Young Players' Weekend. Because of the current situation in the world with the pandemic, this workshop will be held onlin—no travel required. ​ The weekend will include a range of activities for viol players of all ability levels. We will gather on Friday night to meet all the participants. There will be three sessions spread out over Saturday and Sunday and led by Amy Domingues, Gail Ann Schroeder, and myself. On Saturday night we will offer a voluntary masterclass led by our guest coaches, Amy Domingues and Gail Ann Schroeder. ​ There is no age limit to attend YPW. If you feel that you are a young player, you are welcome to attend. ​ Pedro Funes-Whittington Young Players Weekend Director ​ Schedule (Central Time Zone) ​ Friday March 12, 7 pm CST: Welcome, Social gathering ​ Saturday March 13, 11 am CST (90 min): Amy Domingues, Soul Sisters: Music from seventeenth-century Italian Convents ​ Saturday March 13, 3 pm CST (90 min): Pedro Funes-Whittington, In Nomine: the chant Gloria tibi trinitas in music from Taverner to Purcell ​ Saturday March 13, 7 pm CST: Masterclass ​ Sunday March 14, 11 am CST (90 min): Gail Ann Schroeder, Sing the Notes, Play the Words: Using basic bowing techniques as a means to playing expressively ​ Fee: $25 Please email questions to YPW Director Pedro Funes-Whittington . Registration Form ​ Click here to submit your $25 payment

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Circuit Rider Examples Two locations who participate in the Circuit Rider Program have contributed the following narratives about how they run their program. ​ Example 1: Florida We use a formula for distributing the $50/hour among those who participate; e.g. $10/hour each for 5 part—there are a few 6 part consorts, but we use $10 per hour for that too. Anything extra goes to the teacher, either as tuition or covering extra expenses not covered by the grant. Since the sessions (except for private lessons) tend to be 1½ - 2 hours, we can prorate, but we don't do change any more. Too troublesome. Some people put in extra, anyway. Sample Schedule: Teacher arrives in the evening Day 1 -First Consort gathers at around 10 a.m. and has coaching on prepared pieces. -Lunch -More coaching of the consort and/or private lessons in the afternoon -Dinner and social playing (others join the consort, sometimes tag-team) Day 2 -Both Consorts & anyone else who wants joins for Technique Class around 10 a.m. (This session is $10 each per hour, no matter how many are present--this gives us a cushion to cover extra expenses that the grant may not cover.) -After Lunch, Consort 2 gets coaching on prepared pieces; followed by private lessons if any. -Dinner and social playing Day 3 (morning only) -Consort 2 or whatever is left of it (usually a trio) gets coaching. Could also be a private lesson -Quick lunch and teacher is taken to the airport by 2 p.m. If there is only one consort things are considerably more relaxed (what we had the first 2 years). The 2 years we "shared" our teacher with a group in Bradenton/Sarasota, I drove to a half-way rest stop to collect her after her sessions in Sarasota. I believe she came Weds. eve. into Tampa, taught some lessons there Thursday, then was taken to a host Thursday night and taken to Sarasota to teach people from about a 40 mile radius on Friday morning & afternoon, before being brought to the rendezvous. This year we are fortunate to have 2 consorts (with 2 of us in both consorts). It is more complicated to do the scheduling, but it has worked so far. ​ In addition to putting up the teacher, the local host(s) provide sleeping accommodations for out of town participants: this sometimes means their bringing along air mattresses. For more information regarding the Florida model contact Kathleen Merfeld . Example 2: Mississippi Since we were trying to draw players from an approximately 500 mile radius, we began by sending out a "study with" letter to all prospective players. We had five beginner viol players and charged them $25 for the weekend. We borrowed viols for them and loaned them for free for the entire program. This is not including the family of four from Nashville who came once, and six regulars at varying levels. In the end we had players from such diverse loactions as Carbondale, Birmingham, and Memphis. ​ We really worked our teacher hard and think, in hindsight, that it was too big. We just didn't realize we'd have quite so many say "yes." Especially beginners. Sample schedule: Oxford Circuit Weekend, November 12-14, 2010 Friday morning -- private lessons with Ron and Susan Lunch on the town afternoon - private lesson(s) Dinner and general play-in (include newbies — easy pieces) Saturday 9:00 - 9:30 Intro for newest newbies 9:30 - 10:30 Coach newbies, informal experibies consorts 10:30 Coffee break 10:45 - 11:45 Coach experibies, Newbies practice and/or recuperate 12::00 - 1:00 Lunch in-house 1:00 - 2:00 Newbies group session & more self-coached consorts 2:00 - 3:30 Break for naps, gabbing, or consorts 3:30 - 4:30 Technique for all levels - tutti 4:30 - 6:00 Smaller ensembles, all levels, with teacher rotating and coaching 6:00 Dinner with all, including local family member(s) or friend - in house 8:00 More playing, with libations - or perhaps stargazing Sunday morning - private lessons & informal consorts 11:30 lunch 1:00 Coach newbies or perhaps continue smaller coached ensembles 3:00 tearful departures For more information regarding the Mississipi model contact Susan Marchant .

Grants Grants-in-Aid Private Lesson Subsidy Program Workshop Grants Chapter Start-up Grants Chapter Conclave Voucher Program Consort Loan Program The VdGSA Consort Loan Program is intended to help teachers begin a viola da gamba program for school-age children. The program is open to all private or school teachers of the viol who have been a member of the VdGSA for at least one year. While the teacher is responsible for designing and implementing the program (finding space, recruiting students, etc.), the VdGSA can provide the teacher with instruments to support their program. ​ A consort of five viols is available for loan for a period of two years (typically August-July). Renewal for additional years is possible at the discretion of the Consort Loan Program committee. Applications by letter or email to the Consort Loan Program Administrator are welcome at any time and a committee response may be anticipated within a month of receipt. Approval of any application is dependent upon the strength of the proposal and the availability of instruments at the time of application. ​ The application should include: Name of the VdGSA member applying for the consort loan Brief resume of applicant's teaching experience, with emphasis on viol teaching preparation and experience Detailed description of program: type of venue, ages of students served, typical activities planned, how the year's work is organized, sample syllabus for a class Estimated impact of program Specific dates of program Sizes of viol required* *The typical consort in the Consort Loan Program is 2 trebles, 2 tenors and bass, appropriate for high school and middle school. For younger children, a consort of small viols may be available. Please discuss your needs with the Program Administrator. If your application is approved, you will be required to send in a signed copy of the Consort Loan Program Agreement . ​ Costs and responsibilities involved in the Consort Loan Program: A security deposit of $500 is required, which will be refunded after the five viols are returned to VdGSA in the same playing condition as they arrived The applying teacher is responsible for all loss or damage to the viols VdGSA will pay for all viol shipping Periodic reports on the program by e-mail to the program administrator are expected semi-annually throughout the term of the loan, coinciding with the meetings of the Board of Directors Care and maintenance: Instruments will be sent in playing condition. It is the teacher's responsibility to replace any broken strings or frets before returning the consort. Any other problems must be reported to the program administrator to determine what action is to be taken. Teachers may apply to VdGSA for financial help in maintaining the viols; contact the Consort Loan Program Administrator with your request. ​ Shipping: The VdGSA will pay for shipping the consort to the teacher and back to the VdGSA. The teacher is responsible for any costs incurred by the VdGSA in retrieving an instrument, case and bow, including legal fees, and costs of repair of any damage. VdGSA strongly recommends that the recipient save the packing materials for the eventual return of the instruments. Packing materials, including the correct size of box, can be expensive and hard to find, so reusing these items is both convenient and cost effective. The VdGSA will not pay for replacing these materials for return shipment. Before returning the viols, please contact the Consort Loan Program Administrator first for detailed packing and shipping instructions. Please contact the Consort Loan Program Administrator with any and all questions about this program.

Members' Area Grants Grants-in-Aid Private Lesson Subsidy Program Workshop Grants Chapter Start-up Grants Chapter Conclave Voucher Program Consort Loan Program The VdGSA Chapter Conclave Voucher program provides each Chapter with one $200 voucher per year, which may be used by one or more Chapter members towards their Conclave fees. All Chapters are encouraged to publicize the voucher’s availability to their members. ​ Interested in a voucher, but not a Chapter member? Find your nearest Chapter and join today! Requirements Each Chapter may award one $200 Chapter Conclave Voucher per year. The Chapter may choose to split the voucher amount among multiple recipients but the total may not exceed $200. Each recipient must be: ​ a member of the VdGSA a member of that local Chapter registered to attend Conclave that year Choosing the Recipient(s) The method used to select the recipient(s) is determined by the Chapter. This financial boost can be made available to anyone with more enthusiasm than financial resources: this includes the young, the un- or underemployed, and retirees. Each Chapter should determine need as fairly as it can. Larger Chapters might ask for letters of application; smaller Chapters might vote for candidates who express the desire to attend. These are but two of many possible methods. How to Redeem the Voucher The Chapter officer or a designated representative must send, before Conclave begins, the voucher award information to the VdGSA Treasurer. The email must include: ​ the name of the Chapter the name and contact information of the selected recipient(s) the amount for each recipient, if the Chapter has chosen to split the award Contact the Treasurer . The Treasurer will deduct the specified voucher amount from the Conclave fees of the recipient(s).

VdGSA Member Login ​ Already a member? Login Ready to become a member? Join If this is your first visit to the new website, even if you are already a member , you must click "join"! There are many reasons to become a member of the VdGSA! In addition to joining a large and friendly community of viol players, you'll gain access to the Members' Area, which has even more sheet music, our music-minus-one offerings, and the digital archive of the VdGSA News . Members also receive our biennial Journal and quarterly News in the mail. Read more about the benefits of membership (and find out how to join by mail). Back to Home

Members' Area Private Lesson Subsidy Application Apply here to participate in the Private Lesson Subsidy Program. Private Lesson Subsidy Program Application Are you currently renting a viol from the VdGSA? Yes No I confirm that I am a VdGSA member in good standing and that I will renew my membership if it expires during the span of my participation in the Private Lesson Subsidy Program. I confirm that receiving a Private Lesson Subsidy will make private lessons financially possible for me. I confirm that I have arranged with an eligible teacher to take up to six subsidized lessons on a schedule the teacher and I agree on within 12 months of receipt of the Private Lesson Subsidy. View eligible teacher list I understand that I will pay up front for lessons, and that I will receive a reimbursement of $40 per lesson within one month of submitting evidence of lesson payment. Thank you for applying for the Private Lesson Subsidy Program. You'll hear from us soon! Submit

Members' Area Legal Code of Conduct Copyright Privacy Policy Copyright Notice for vdgsa.org The entire contents of this website, www.vdgsa.org , is Copyright © 2013-2021 by The Viola da Gamba Society of America. Some portions of this website have additional copyright notices as presented below. Copyright Notice for Images ​ Photos on the About the Viol pages copyright by Francis Beaulieu, Wesley Brandt, Sarah Mead, and Warren Shingleton. For inquiries about use of any of the images on these pages, contact the website committee by using the link below. ​ All other images copyright VdGSA. ​ Copyright Notice for Music Published in the VdGSA News The music published by the Viola da Gamba Society of America in the VdGSA News under the heading "News Music" is protected by copyright. Copyright © 2013-2021 The Viola da Gamba Society of America. Distributed under a Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 3.0 license . Non-binding summary: You may copy, distribute, transmit, perform, and adapt this work for non-commercial purposes. You must credit The Viola da Gamba Society of America and distribute any copies or adaptations under the same license. ​ Should you wish to use this work for commercial purposes, please contact the VdGSA for permission to do so. Copyright Notice for the Database of Historical Viols The entire contents of the Database of Historical Viols found at https://www.public.vdgsa.org/historical-viol-database , originally started by Peter Tourin in the late 1970s, transferred to Thomas MacCracken in the early 1990s, and first presented publicly in 2011 is protected by copyright. ​ Copyright © 2011-2021 Thomas MacCracken. Tobi Szuts , chair of the website committee

Young Players' Weekend "I feel that overall the Young Players’ Weekend was a very insightful event that guided me on the right path to not just becoming a better viola da gamba player, but a better musician as well." -Jack Meyer Young Players' Weekend 2021 ! ​ The tenth VdGSA Young Players' Weekend was held March 12 - 14, 2021, online. Additional details available on this page . ​ The next YPW will be in 2023— stay tuned for more details! About The Young Players' Weekend ​ Periodically, the VdGSA hosts a weekend retreat specifically geared toward younger players. The workshop is subsidized by the Society, so that the cost is affordable to students, young professionals, and those of limited means. The primary goal of this workshop is—what else?—to get together and play the viol, but it also serves several secondary objectives for the society and its members: to provide those who may not have the means to attend Conclave every year (or at all) with opportunities to learn from professional players and scholars to provide younger players who may not know many other viol players with the opportunity to connect with musicians with similar interests to provide a warm welcome to the VdGSA family, and to share information about all the fantastic opportunities available to VdGSA members Pedro Funes-Whittington is the current YPW director. Past Directors: Jessica Powell Eig, 2013-2016 Josh Lee, 2008-2013 FAQ Who qualifies as a young player? There is no age limit for YPW attendees. If you feel that you are a young player, you are welcome to attend. How much does it cost? The total fee for tuition, room and board in 2019 was $150. Fees may fluctuate from year to year, but the VdGSA has committed to keep the cost affordable to those of limited means. How good do I have to be? Every year, YPW includes players who run the gamut from absolute beginner to professional track. We value this diversity of experience and benefit from it. Whether you've been playing for 15 minutes or 15 years, there is a place for you at YPW. Do I need to bring a viol? Loaner instruments of all sizes are available for those who have difficulty traveling with an instrument and for those who are interested in trying a new size. More information: Email YPW Director Pedro Funes-Whittington or find the VdGSA Young Players group on Facebook .