Mountain Collegium 2025 Workshop
June 29–July 5, 2025
A weeklong workshop with programs for all levels of early musicians and folk musicians. The workshop takes place on the campus of Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, North Carolina and has programs for all levels of Early Musicians and Folk Musicians.
What’s special about Mountain Collegium?
Mountain Collegium has been a summer workshop destination for early musicians and folk musicians since 1972. With small class sizes and an impressive faculty roster, our participants feel encouraged and challenged. Our community is welcoming and we will even set you up with a buddy if you’re new to the workshop scene or just need a little extra guidance.
This year we welcome back many of our most popular recorder and viol teachers, but we also have offerings for brass, double reeds, and capped reeds. We especially invite you to sign up for at least one period of folk or crossover music, or to try one of our classes for emerging viol players or emerging recorder players. Additional classes in consort conducting, Medieval music, folk music, and much, much more offer a superbly well-rounded experience. Click the buttons below to see this summer’s class offerings, our weekly schedule, and to sign up for the workshop.
At Mountain Collegium it is possible to create an interesting track that suits your needs. We’re offering nearly 50 classes this year!
• Want to play only folk music all day? You’ll have a blast with faculty members Janie Rothfield, Allan Carr, and Therese Honey.
• Want to play only brass or reeds all day? With Erik Schmalz, Joan Kimball, and Will Peebles on our roster, this is entirely possible.
• Are you a beginner or nearly beginner? Our classes for emerging recorder players and beginning viol players allow you to take classes that move at YOUR pace.
• Are you looking for immersion in music of the Medieval period? Al Cofrin and Annette Bauer are two of the most revered teachers in North America and will give you the experience you need.
• Do you need to brush up on your skills in leading consorts or other groups in your neck of the woods? A class in consort conducting can help with this! We also hope you will choose classes that can fill your own toolbox when looking for skills and music to share with others.
• Do you have few opportunities to make music in mixed ensembles? Well, we’ve got news for you! Mountain Collegium offers like-instrument class AND mixed classes to help satiate that need!
New for 2025
Two evenings of Renaissance dancing on The Bridge
Class for capped reeds at the beginning, intermediate, and advanced levels
Appalachian and Celtic folk music opportunities for plucked strings, fiddles, and other folk instruments
Expanded fourth period class options
Explore 2025 classes and register by clicking below.
Come celebrate 50 years of music-making against the backdrop of the scenic Smoky Mountains!
Mountain Collegium offers study of Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque, and Folk music, with four classes each day. Classes are taught by highly acclaimed early music and folk music performers, scholars, and teachers in recorder, viol, voice, sackbut, open and capped reeds, other early instruments, folk harp, fiddle, and more.
Classes are offered at all playing levels, including a track for emerging recorder players.
The workshop environment is warm and welcoming. Evenings include large-group playing sessions, Renaissance dancing, the Trexler Folk Lecture,
Faculty Concert, and opportunities to break off and play your favorite music with friends.
Accommodations are in modern dormitories in singles (shared bath) or doubles. Cafeteria meals include a variety of stations and options.
Tuition: $695
Room & Board (single): $520 • Room & Board (double): $440
A limited number of awards are available through the Mountain Collegium Workstudy Fund. Read more about workstudy awards here. Workshop participants are also encouraged to apply for awards through early music member organizations, such as Early Music America, American Recorder Society, and Viola da Gamba Society of America.
American Recorder Society members are invited to apply for scholarships to weekend and weeklong workshops. Scholarships are available to players of all ages and ability levels. Applicants may join the ARS at a special ½ price rate if not already a member. Visit americanrecorder.org/scholarships for more details and to apply.
Covid-19 / Illness Policy
Mountain Collegium does not require proof of vaccination. Participants who are ill should not come to the workshop, in which case Mountain Collegium will issue a full refund. If a participant becomes ill during the workshop and needs to leave, we will issue a partial refund of amounts we have not spent. If a participant suspects they have been exposed to COVID prior to the workshop or if they are having symptoms consistent with COVID, please test before coming. As some workshop participants may prefer to be masked, please ask if they prefer you also be masked when approaching them. For this purpose, please carry a mask with you and be considerate of fellow attendees’ requests for social distancing.
Recorders
Emerging • Intermediate • Advanced
Faculty: Anne Timberlake, Gwyn Roberts, Jody Miller, Phil Hollar, Barb Weiss, Annette Bauer, Chris Rua
Viols
Intermediate • Advanced
Faculty: Gail Ann Schroeder, Holly Maurer, Chrissy Spencer, Wendy Gillespie
Sackbuts • Dulcians • Shawms
Faculty: Erik Schmalz, Joan Kimball
Medieval & Early Renaissance Music
Faculty: Al Cofrin
Capped Reeds
Faculty: Will Peebles
Harp • Fiddle • Folk Music • Plucked Strings
Faculty: Janie Rothfield, Allan Carr, Therese Honey
Trexler Lecture
This year’s Trexler Folk Lecture TBA.
To be added to our mailing list or to ask a question, please contact us HERE.