Muhlenberg College
2400 W Chew St
Allentown, PA 18104
United States
Cloth of Gold: Music of France and England
Week 1 (July 12 - 19): Central Program, Baroque Academy, Historical Dance, Ensemble Singing Intensive
Week 2 (July 19-26): Central Program, Choral Workshop, Medieval Project, and New London Assembly
The 2026 Amherst Early Music Festival offers a bounty of classes, concerts, drop-in sessions, lectures, and opportunities for impromptu music making! Join with friends new and old in celebrating early music and the joy of singing and playing together.
Gain new skills, insights, and inspiration in classes taught by over 60 faculty members from the US and Europe. Amherst Early Music Festival faculty bring their spark, enthusiasm, talent and knowledge to you for an immersive week (or two) focusing on Music of France and England from the 11th to the 18th centuries.
The Central Program is the heart of the Festival. It is the largest and most varied program we offer, with classes available for most early music instruments, and music ranging from Medieval to Baroque. You can choose the combination of classes that works for you -- perfect if, like some of our students, you sing or dance and play an instrument or two. Play in consorts of like or mixed instruments, investigate a new repertory, take a dance class, or begin a new instrument.
Pitch: most classes will be at a=440. Viol-only and most Baroque ensemble classes will be at a=415. Festival tuition is $750 per week. Scholarships and work study assistance is available to students of all ages. See below for details.
Trumpeter to Henry VIII, John Blanke
Festival Schedule
Sunday Events
Check-in: 1:30 - 5:00 p.m.
Dinner is the first meal on the meal card
7:00 Orientation Meeting, followed by a reception, and late check-in.
Check-out: by 9:00 a.m. the following Sunday
Daily Schedule Classes begin on Monday morning, and run through Friday, with four class periods per day.
9:00 - 10:30 a.m.First Class Period
10:30 - 11:00 a.m. Coffee Break
11:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. Second Class Period
1:45 - 3:00 p.m. Third Class Period
3:30 - 4:45 p.m. Fourth Class Period
Evening Event Schedule
Monday, July 13, tba
Tuesday, July 14, tba
Wednesday, July 15, The AEM Auction
Thursday, July 16, tba
Friday, July 17, Baroque Opera, tba
Saturday, July 18, Faculty Concert, followed by All-Workshop Party
Monday, July 20, tba
Tuesday, July 21, tba
Wednesday, July 22, The AEM Auction
Thursday, July 23, tba
Friday, July 24, tba
Saturday, July 25, Faculty Concert, followed by All-Workshop Party
Other Evening Events In the evening there are lectures, concerts, madrigal singing, English country dancing, drop-in playing sessions, the AEM Auction, and socializing with early music enthusiasts from all over the US and beyond.
*Indicates faculty for week one only, **week two only, no stars = both weeks.
Tuition & Boarding
| Tuition | Tuition $750 per week |
|---|---|
| Room & Board | Standard rooms are air-conditioned. Budget are non-ac, with hall baths. Prices are per week, per person |
| Standard Room with Private Bath: $865 Single | $725 Double (per person) | |
| Standard Room with Hall Bath: $600 Single | $455 Double (per person) | |
| Standard Single Room - Suite with Kitchenette $715 | |
| Budget Room $470 Single | $375 Double (per person) | |
| Meals | Meals $280 per week ($8 breakfast, $14 lunch, $20 dinner) |
| Non-resident | Commuter fee to cover facilities costs, $110 per week |
