EMF "A" Classes

Miyo Aoki: "Belle, bonne, sage" For advanced recorder players with excellent rhythm.
A great flowering of musical activity occurred in the late 14th century, producing delicately intricate pieces in a new and subtle style, or ars subtilior. This music is full of complex rhythms and interesting melodies, and composers took great pains to notate it in equally novel ways. In addition to giving voice to compositions from this unique repertoire, you will enjoy the intellectual challenge of their rhythmic complexity.

Mark Davenport: "The Art of the Netherlands: Dufay, Ockeghem and Josquin." (upper intermediate to advanced): Ensemble players in this class will have the opportunity to explore the glorious music by the central figures of the Franco-Flemish School: Guillaume Dufay (ca. 1397-1474); Johannes Ockeghem (ca. 1410-97); and Josquin des Prez (ca. 1450-1521). Participants will be introduced to editions that closely resemble the original manuscripts (individual partbooks in original note values with no bar lines).

David Lee Echelard: ""Da Pacem Domine" / "Give peace in our days"
Renaissance compositions set to the Latin text: "Da Pacem Domine" for recorders and voices.
We will explore settings of Renaissance vocal music set to the latin text "Da Pacem Domine" which translates to "Peace be with you". "Da Pacem Domine" is a latin text taken from Gregorian chant that has been the base for musical compositions inside or outside of the liturgy.
The Latin text has inspired many composers of the Renaissance. We will look at settings by: Lassus, de Rore, Willaert, Agricola, Brumel, Verdelot, de la Rue, Festa, Sermisy and Gregorian Chants.
We will explore polyphonic settings of the Latin text creating rich and beautiful textures with dramatic and expressive settings. The compositions create a contemplative quality, with a focus on the spiritual and an introspective nature of the music.
Explore these exquisitely constructed works as you reinvigorate and hone your vocal technique or play and think instrumentally like a singer sings.

All voices are welcome. All Instrumentation is welcome. Great opportunities to practice reading alto fingerings up. Lots of tenor recorder cantus Firmus action awaiting. Come play any instrument, sing, or feel free to go back and forth from singing to playing instruments. The compositions are all in the public domain and can be used for your future performances.

Music is provided.
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcUNXyYi2Gl9HaJ8k2KjufEzPb47NHpZf&si=liNr2_U8lRKJRR6f

James Chaudoir: "Nowell, Noël!" (SATB) This session will focus on a type of music for the Christmas holiday season that, in many cases, has no more than a single word as a title, Nowell (Noël). We will play through music from the robust Nowell of medieval England through the charming organ Noël of the French baroque.
While playing this music, we will focus on stylistic interpretation of each piece and experiment with the use of percussion as accompaniment.
To quote LaNoue Davenport from the preface of his publication Seven Medieval Carols, "It is hoped that these pieces will prove welcome to the musician and teacher searching for fresh and appealing material to supplement the badly over-worked traditional Christmas music."
Be aware that there may be some "tricky" rhythms, particularly in the Medieval English music, and a few "high" notes in parts of the organ Noëls. For those of you looking for something different to play with your home groups during the Holiday season, this is the class for you.

CLEA GALHANO: "Brazilian music for recorder ensemble"
This class will feature repertory from folk to modern and popular tunes arranged for recorder ensemble showcasing the infectious melodies, lovely - and sometimes strange - harmonies, and exciting rhythms based on African and Portuguese influence.

Lisette Kielson: "Canzoni Extravaganzi" (advanced)
In this all out canzona playing session, we will read through some of our well-known 4- and 5-part favorites (Scheidt's Bergamasca, Cornetto, O Nachbar Roland, and Cantionem Gallicam "Est-ce Mars") as well as some that might be less familiar by Cima, Frescobaldi, Merula, Merulo, Trabaci, and maybe more! This genre offers wonderful challenges such as counting the larger tactus (whole note to the beat), changing meters, reading from parts, reading alto up an octave, and attacking all those 'furioso' passages! Geared for advanced SATB recorders and viols.

Dale Taylor:"Old Spain in a New World." The musical scene in Spain's New World empire was incredibly rich, bringing the finest in European music of the day to the Americas. Shawm bands played in Santa Fe. The New World's first operas were written in Peru and Mexico. Jannequin and Ureede were performed in missions and cathedrals. And native composers wrote new music which has survived. This class will survey some of the literature, taking the time to work up a few details as we go. Intermediate. Not all music will have parts for soprano, altos may have to read up, and basses are needed.

Laura Kuhlman: "Renaissance Wind Band music of Guatemala"
There are nine codices of music dating from the 16th to early 17th century Guatamala. It was common practice in most large cathedrals to maintain a wind band for use in the services.
We will be using the Musica Sacra et Profana editions, Early Music of Latin America, to explore the rich textures of these simple, yet complex scores. This session is open to all historical double reeds, sackbut, cornetto, strings and recorders. Alto recorders must be able to read up an octave and tenor viols need to read treble clef down the octave.

Musica Sacra et Profana, Early Music of Latin America: Renaissance wind band music of Guatemala, vols. 1 & 2

Liza Malamut: "Renaissance Loud Band"

This class is for Renaissance reeds, brass, and cornetto. We will explore Renaissance polyphony by composers such as Rore, Lassus, Victoria, Vivanco, and more. Players should be able to read bass clef and treble clef, including octave treble clef. We will read from modern notation on A440 instruments. Shawms should be prepared to read at pitch (meaning if your instrument sounds up one step, please be prepared to make this adjustment as parts will not be transposed down a step). Players should have intermediate facility on their instrument.

Mona Mann: "Advanced Beginner Consort"
In the Advanced Beginner group, participants will focus on music basics such as rhythms, time signatures, key signatures, and fingerings for C and F recorders through duet and trio playing. We will work to improve both music reading and recorder playing skills at a manageable pace. We will also discuss techniques and strategies for practicing effectively. This class is ideal for participants wanting to make music, but needing to move more deliberately in order to be successful. Participants may register for one or both sessions (A and B)

Charles Rasmussen: "Fors seulement Chansons and Polyphony" (Advanced)
This session explores a collection of polyphonic music compiled by Fridolin Sicher. The collection highlights composers of the late 15 th and early 16 th centuries, including popular composers from the time such as Josquin des Prez, Johannes Ockeghem, and Heinrich Isaac. There are also several settings of the popular chanson Fors seulement in the collection.
Although Mr. Rasmussen's session focuses on the viol, this session is suitable for viols and recorders. Recorders need to be tenor, bass or below.

Pieces are scored for 3 5 parts, and clefs utilized are treble, treble an octave
lower, and bass clef.

Gail Schroeder: " Palestrina…500 years!" (Viols; Intermediate and up)
Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina was one of the star composers of the 16 th century. Renowned for his masses and motets, Palestrina had a long-lasting influence on the evolution of church and secular vocal music in Europe, as well as the development of counterpoint. This class in honor of his 500 th birthday, will survey his sacred and secular vocal works.