Baroque Academy

Cast of Les Indes GalantesJuly 5-12, 2015

Directed by Saskia Coolen

Festival Theme: Music of Italy and Spain

The Amherst Baroque Academy is a program for advanced amateur, pre-professional, and professional singers and instrumentalists who wish to deepen their understanding of Baroque music and style in a dynamic workshop setting.

The Opera Project will be Handel's opera Il Pastor Fido, Directed by Drew Minter, and conducted by Kevin Mallon. 

Masterclasses are taught by renowned performers for all instruments. Ensemble sessions, special topic classes, presentations, and the opera tutti rehearsal complete the schedule. Pitch is A=415.

Singers can choose to audition for the Opera Project, the Baroque Academy Vocal Soloist Program, or both.  The Vocal Soloist program will include masterclasses with Baroque specialist Julianne Baird, chamber music coachings on repertoire with period instruments, specialized classes on solo repertoire, style, and ornamentation.

Tuition: $620. Click here for information on Room and Board options. Registration opens by Feb 1, 2015.

Audition due dates: April 1, 2015 for Singers, May 1 for Instrumentalists.

Audition Information

To audition, please click below to visit our page on getacceptd.com.

Submit your digital application

You will need to submit:

1. $30 registration fee

2. Your resume or a brief description (one or two paragraphs) summarizing your musical background and experience, including formal and informal training and education.

3. 10-15 minutes of music showing your technique, expression, and understanding of baroque style. The piece need not be accompanied. For 2015, please include a selection from an Italian or Spanish composer if possible. Please include composer and title information with your submission.

4. Singers auditioning for the Baroque Opera Project will also need to submit a head shot and a brief physical description: hair color, eye color, height, and weight. Photographs are accepted in any standard form. This information is required to be considered for a role in the opera.

Many file types for audio and video can be uploaded on the Acceptd website. 

​​

Scholarships

Limited scholarship funds are available, to apply, provide a cover letter with audition packet that details your experience and goals in the field of early music.  Early Music America also provides scholarships. You may also consider contacting your local arts and cultural societies about possible funding. We would be happy to help in providing documentation to assist you in obtaining a third-party scholarship.

Work-Study tuition assistance available in exchange for help with various tasks around the festival.  Application will be posted and linked here when it is available.