Central Program

Northampton Community College
3835 Green Pond Rd
Bethlehem, PA 18020
United States

Frances Blaker, Festival director

Central Program classes run both weeks of the Amherst Early Music Festival
August 7-14, and 14-21, 2022
Bethlehem, PA, at Northampton Community College
Tuition $675 per week

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. We also offer a unique program in early notation for all levels starting with absolute beginner. Pitch: most classes will be at a=440. Viol-only and most Baroque ensemble classes will be at a=415. Detailed class descriptions and schedule will be available in May.

Schedule  Classes run Monday through Friday, with four class periods per day.

In the evening there are lectures, concerts, madrigal singing in the courtyard, English country dancing, drop-in playing sessions, the AEM Auction, and socializing with early music enthusiasts from all over the world. Saturday is a day of rehearsals and concerts, including student concerts featuring music prepared in class.

 

Festival FAQs

TRAVEL
Union College
807 Union Street, Schenectady, NY 12308
Close to a major airport (15+ minutes from Albany International Airport), accessible by Amtrak (station is 1 mile from Union College) and Megabus, Union College is 3 hours away by car from NYC and Boston, and 4 hours from Montreal.

MEALS
The meal card is $228 and covers one week of meals starting with dinner on Sunday, June 30, (July 7 for second week) thru breakfast on Sunday, July 7, (July 14 for second week). A la carte meal prices are $7.25, $10.25, and $11.00 for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

ROOMS
All standard rooms are air-conditioned with private baths. Budget rate housing is not air-conditioned, with hall baths. Basic linens (sheets, pillow, and towels) are included with all housing. Beds are twin, extra long.