Mountain Collegium 2024 Workshop
June 30–July 6, 2024
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 beginning classes for viola da gamba or for pipe and tabor. Additional classes in consort conducting, music theory, shape note singing, 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.
Mountain Collegium welcomes Al Cofrin (Medieval and early Renaissance music) and Joanna Blendulf (viol) to the 2024 workshop. Click on their names to learn more about them.
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, pennywhistle, bagpipes, 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, English country 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: $680
Room & Board (single): $515 • 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 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. 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: Patricia Petersen, Anne Timberlake, Gwyn Roberts, Jody Miller, Phil Hollar, Barb Weiss, Emily O’Brien
Viols
Intermediate • Advanced
Faculty: Gail Ann Schroeder, Holly Maurer, Joanna Blendulf, Chrissy Spencer
Sackbuts • Dulcians and Shawms
Faculty: Erik Schmalz, Joan Kimball
Medieval & Early Renaissance Music
Faculty: Al Cofrin
Capped Reeds/Shape Note Singing
Faculty: Will Peebles
Harp • Pennywhistle • Folk Music • Plucked Strings
Faculty: Rosalind Buda, Kelly Brzozowski
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.