Ensemble Singing Intensive

July 9-16, 2023

Muhlenberg College
2400 Chew St
Allentown, PA 18104
United States

Tuition:
$695

Directed by Michael Barrett
Faculty: Michael Barrett and Geoffrey Williams, with Emily Eagen, Daniel Johnson, and Temmo Korisheli

Amherst Early Music Festival, July 9-16, 2023

English Influencers

This summer, the Ensemble Singing Intensive program will explore repertoire from both England and continental Europe, examining how the special musical language of John Dunstable and his fellow English composers paved the way for the universal language of European polyphony in the later Renaissance. In the 1440's, Martin le Franc coined the phrase "English countenance" to describe the qualities that many Continental listeners observed in English polyphony: a penchant for sweet harmonies and smooth voice leading. The English approach was critical to the development of the international style of polyphony, spearheaded by Franco-Flemish composers, and a departure from the virtuosic intellectualism of the French Ars Nova of the 14th century.

ESI gives pre-professional and advanced amateur singers the opportunity to work closely with like-minded colleagues and professional coaches to refine their skill set for vocal chamber music performance. Students will participate in daily rehearsals, coachings, discussions, and masterclasses, working towards a performance at week's end. Along the way we will give special attention to the issue of singing in translation (both period and modern), and make connections between the twin "songs" of language and melody.

Audition Due date

April 1, 2023

Faculty

Festival FAQs

TRAVEL
Muhlenberg College
2400 Chew Street, Allentown, PA
Closest Airport: Lehigh Valley International Airport (ABE)
Approximately 7 miles from the Muhlenberg campus.
Trans-Bridge Lines offers service from the Port Authority Bus Terminal in NYC, and Newark Airport to the Allentown Transportation Center, 603 Linden Street, Allentown, PA (2.3 miles from campus)
Greyhound offers service from Philadelphia to the Allentown Transportation Center.

MEALS
The meal card is $227 and covers one week of meals starting with dinner on July 2, (July 9 for week 2) thru breakfast on July 9, (July 16 for week 2). A la carte meal prices are $10 / $13.50 / $16.75 for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

ROOMS
All rooms and classrooms are air-conditioned. Basic linens (sheets, pillow, and towels) are included. Beds are twin, extra long.

 

Ensemble Singing Intensive Audition Information

To apply for the Ensemble Singing Intensive Program you will need to submit the following through our audition portal. The due date for applications is April 1, 2023.

  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 16th -17th century style. The piece need not be accompanied. Please include composer and title information with your submission.

Scholarships & Work-Study

Work-Study

All participants are welcome to apply for tuition assistance through AEM's Work-Study program. Please fill out the work study application form to apply. Notice of awards will be sent in late May. Questions about Work-Study can be sent to Click here to show mail address.

AEM Scholarships

To apply for AEM scholarships, send a one-page letter to Marilyn Boenau, the Executive Director of AEM, explaining your interest in early music or dance, your goal in attending the Festival, and your financial need. Email to Click here to show mail address.

The Washington McClain Scholarship Fund honors the memory of Baroque oboist and Amherst Early Music faculty member Washington McClain. It will fund scholarships for students who have historically been underrepresented in the early music field, including African-American, Latinx, and others. Awards will cover tuition, room and board, and travel and may be used for any in-person AEM event, particularly the Amherst Early Music Festival. To apply send a letter of inquiry to Click here to show mail address, with information about your interest in early music or dance.

In addition to scholarships, AEM offers work study tuition to all of our workshops, and the Amherst Early Music Festival. Work study is an option for students of any age.

Other Organizations

American Recorder Society offers scholarships to recorder players for Weekend Workshops as well as Summer Festivals. Any ARS member who needs financial assistance to attend a weekend or week-long workshop may apply for this scholarship. Deadline: May 15.

Lute Society of America scholarships include full tuition, room & board, and some travel. Due Date May 1

Early Music America offers scholarships to help students attend early music and historical performance workshops in North America. Applications due April 17, 2023.

Viola da Gamba Society of America offers Grants-in-Aid to its members to attend Workshops and Masterclasses.

The Historical Keyboard Society of North America has established the Funaro Fund Award to support its members to offset the cost of traveling to an early keyboard event. 

COVID-19 Policy

Rapid testing is required to attend the Festival. All participants, faculty, and staff will take three tests: on the day before arrival, day of arrival, and mid-week. Two-week people will test on the weekend of July 8-9 and mid-week in the second week. Bring an extra test in case more testing is needed.

Masking is optional. AEM reserves the right to require masking if conditions change.

Vaccinations and boosters are encouraged but not required. Anyone with symptoms, or feeling unwell should notify us immediately, and not attend any classes or events. Self evaluation: Before coming to the Festival if you are experiencing symptoms that may indicate Covid, regardless of test results, DO NOT COME. Notify us right away. Anyone who tests positive for Covid at the Festival will be moved to a room in an isolated wing, and have cafeteria meals delivered, or could leave campus.

The Festival is a congregate living environment where we live, play music and dance together for several days. Our main approach to preventing Covid will be testing, and, like last year, we need everyone to test and to let us know if they experience symptoms.

(Updated May 12, 2023)