Lute Society of America

June 29 - July 6, 2025
On the campus of Muhlenberg College, Allentown, PA
Tuition $730, room options start at $365, meals for the week $280

Register here!

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Detail of a broken consort from a portrait of Sir Henry Unton

A continuing tradition of collaboration between the Lute Society of America and Amherst Early Music. Lute week will take place week 1 of the Festival, June 29 - July 6. Classes will include Master Classes, repertoire from the 14th through the 18th centuries including early Renaissance German repertoire, lute ensemble classes, and mixed ensemble classes. LSA's world-class faculty includes Christopher Morrongiello, Paul O'Dette, Mark Rimple, and LSA director, Jason Priset.  Richard Stone will be the music director for the Baroque Academy Opera Project. See the Festival Overview page for a complete list of Festival faculty.

Don't miss this opportunity to play and collaborate with other instrumentalists and singers, as well as lutenists! To sign up, register for Central Program, week 1. You will receive a link to choose your classes in late Spring.  Register here! (Choose Central Program, Week 1)

Lute players interested in performing in the opera, Georg Reutter's Dafne under the musical direction of lutenist Richard Stone, are welcome to apply for Baroque Academy: https://www.amherstearlymusic.org/festival/program/baroque-academy-instrumentalists

Concert: Lautenschlagen Du edle Kunst
Lute Music in Late Renaissance Germany with Paul O'Dette

 

 

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horizontal image with lutes

COVID-19 Policy

The COVID virus is still with us, though as of mid-June the prevalence of COVID in the US east coast wastewater is very low. We are not requiring testing in advance unless you have been with others who test positive in the week before the Festival, or if you are experiencing mild symptoms in the week before the Festival. We reserve the right to change this policy if conditions change. Please bring your own COVID tests. Some will be available for sale. We recommend that you bring N-95 masks in case of an outbreak of illness. 

We ask that all Festival participants, faculty, and staff observe the following list of precautions:
In the week prior to your attendance at the Festival, to reduce the likelihood of spreading infection, please do all you can to avoid becoming ill. Wearing a mask on public transport and at large indoor gatherings can keep you from having to leave the Festival.

Before arrival and during the Festival: If you have symptoms of an infectious illness please do not come to the Festival. You will receive a refund. If you develop symptoms of an infectious illness while at the Festival, please immediately isolate, test for COVID-19, and let AEMF staff know. If you test positive for Covid you must leave the Festival or quarantine for the remainder of the Festival. You will receive a pro-rated refund. If you elect to stay on campus in quarantine, you will not receive a housing refund.

The Festival is a congregate living environment, and we want to protect the health of all our community members, who range in age from 1 to 90+ and some of whom have compromised immune systems. Thank you for helping us keep everyone healthy.

Updated June 17, 2026