Step back in time to the music of Gothic cathedrals and Renaissance faires with Stony Brook University Department of Music‘s fifth annual Early Music Day on Sunday, March 9, from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm, followed by the Baroque Sundays at Three concert at 3 pm in the Staller Center Recital Hall. This year’s event features three hours of hands-on instrumental presentations, performances by the Department’s top musicians on early instruments and family-friendly guides on the earliest days of classical music’s history. The presentations in the Music Department’s second and third floor classrooms in Staller Center are open to all, and participants are encouraged to walk in and out of rooms at leisure to experience all offerings. Admission is free.
Renowned scholar and Professor Emeritus Sarah Fuller, a founding member of the Department of Music, will give a special feature presentation at 1 pm. She will pique your interest on beautifully handcrafted manuscript music scores that demonstrate innovations in music notation throughout history. Joining her will be the University’s Gregorian Chant Group. Additionally, learn about the women who “wear the pants” in Baroque opera and get mini-lessons on topics such as Baroque dances and harpsichord playing. Instruments featured will be Baroque stringed instruments (cello, viola, violin, guitar), the Renaissance lute, natural horn, Baroque trumpet, clavichord, harpsichord, vocal demonstrations and more.
Early Music Day is for all ages and is free to attend. Following the presentations, all are invited to Baroque Sundays at Three. Anima, a professional Baroque ensemble, will perform 17th-century compositions based on Orpheus, the charming musician and poet of Greek mythology.
Schedule of Events
Room 2309: Baroque Violin, Viola, and Dance, 11:30 am to 2:30 pm, Kristina Giles
Room 2310: Natural Horn, 11:30 am to 2:30 pm, Amanda Tabor
Room 2313: Clavichord, 11:30 am to 2:30 pm, Johanna Schaufeld
Room 2314: History and Development of Renaissance Instruments, 11:30 am to 2:30 pm, live demonstrations by Andrew Galambos
Room 2315: Baroque Chamber Music, 11:30 am to 1:30 pm, Laurence Vesyoly and the Baroque Trio
Room 2318: Baroque Trumpet and Violin, 12 pm to 1 pm, Luke Balslov and Natalie Kress
Room 2319: Baroque Cello, 11:30 am to 2:30 pm, Mohit Mansukani
Room 2322: Medieval Manuscripts and Gregorian Chant, 1 pm to 2 pm, “Preserving Music: Technologies of Music Notation in the Middle Ages and Renaissance.” Medieval Musicologist Sarah Fuller shows medieval manuscripts with vocals from the Gregorian Chant Group at Stony Brook
Third Floor Presentations
Room 3317: Renaissance Lutes and Renaissance Garb, 11:30 am to 2:30 pm, Garald Farnham from The Good Pennyworths
Room 3319: Baroque Opera, 11:30 am to 2:30 pm, “Women as Men in Handel’s Operas: Preparing a Pants Role,” lecture and performance of arias by Christine Free
Room 3331: Learn to Play Harpsichord!, 11:30 am to 2:30 pm, informal harpsichord lessons with Anna Parkitna
Room 3334: Baroque Guitar, 11:30 am to 2:30 pm, Barkley Heus
Add comment