This spring, Vajra Voices is excited to announce its latest initiative: a one-day vocal workshop on Le Lai de la Fonteinne by Guillaume de Machaut (ca. 1300–1377), supported in part by a grant from the California Arts Council in partnership with the San Francisco Early Music Society. This landmark work by one of the titans of medieval culture is both a tribute to the Virgin Mary and an extended reflection on the Holy Trinity, presented in twelve movements, alternating solos and three-part polyphony. Workshop participants will have the opportunity to work on selected portions of the Lai, exploring issues of vocal technique, poetic interpretation, medieval French pronunciation, and rehearsal process with Vajra Voices director, Karen R. Clark, and ensemble members Allison Zelles Lloyd and Amy Stuart Hunn.
The workshop will be held on Saturday, May 5th, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., at Arlington Community Church, 52 Arlington Avenue, Kensington, CA. The cost of $85 general ($75 for high school and university students) includes all workshop materials and a delicious catered lunch, as well as snacks and beverages. The workshop will close with an informal performance for family and friends.
This workshop is geared toward both the vocal performer and the conductor interested in teaching and performing Medieval music with a chorus. Participation is open to musicians high school age and above; participants will need to be able to read music with some fluency and independence. Familiarity with the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) is also beneficial but not required.
Please register for the Vajra Voices Workshop by May 3, 2018.
Go to the Vajra Voices Workshop Registration Page, fill in the contact form and tell us a bit about your musical background and interests. To complete your registration, click “General ($85)” to activate the dropdown menu. From there you may select either the general or student rate. Then, click “Buy Now.” This takes you to your PayPal account. Once we receive your contact info and payment, you will receive a confirmation email. If you prefer to pay by check, please let us know. For more information, please contact Karen R. Clark at 510-812-4518 or [email protected], or visit www.vajravoices.com.
We look forward to a day of singing with you!
