The Bard Baroque Ensemble provides Bard College and Conservatory musicians the opportunity to explore early repertoire from the Medieval through the late Baroque periods. The ensemble takes a leading role in an annual series of Bach cantata presentations in the Chapel of the Holy Innocents and other venues on the Bard campus and in the local region. The Baroque Ensemble collaborates with other Bard musical ensembles, including the Chamber Singers, the Graduate Vocal Arts Program, the Preparatory Division Chorus, The Orchestra Now, the Graduate Conducting Program, and faculty from other branches of the College as part of their mission in bringing outstanding early music performances to the wider community. The program welcomes students from both the College and Conservatory and exemplifies the approach of including all eligible participants by challenging them at their own individual level while working together as a cohesive artistic team.
Photo Credit: Christopher Kayden
Repertoire
Although the cantatas of Johann Sebastian Bach are a particular focus of the ensemble’s programming, a diversity of other Baroque and pre-Baroque repertoire is explored to deepen students’ understanding, appreciation, and mastery of a broad range of styles and techniques. Guest instructors and lecturers are invited on an annual basis to give special topic presentations or to coach students in approaches to Baroque style. Baroque bows are provided for string players, and a collection of Baroque instruments are available for students’ use through the program, including a Coolsma Baroque flute, a set of recorders, and the George Taylor portativ organ on permanent loan. A one-manual Flentrop practice organ is available for keyboardists, in addition to the John Schreiner continuo organ, Hubbard one-manual harpsichord, and Goldfarb two-manual harpsichord used regularly in Baroque Ensemble rehearsals and performances.
Interested in Playing with the Bard Baroque Ensemble?
All students wishing to join the Baroque Ensemble will be auditioned and interviewed to assess eligibility for full participation in the group. Interested participants should have studied the instrument they intend to play in the ensemble for a minimum of three years through private lessons and should have a sufficient ability to sightread a standard level of repertory within a group rehearsal setting.
Rehearsals take place on Sunday evenings in Olin Hall from 7:00 pm to 9:50 pm.
Rehearsals take place on Sunday evenings in Olin Hall from 7:00 pm to 9:50 pm.