Interested in viola da gamba and early music? Get started on this beautiful instrument easily with a rental instrument and a flexible curriculum that adapts to your interest and abilities. Instructor Jane Hershey, a respected member of the Viola da Gamba Society of New England, will help you craft the perfect combination of lessons and/or ensembles to fit your lifestyle.
Consorts
Our viol consorts are well suited for you if you have a solid background in music but a limited amount of time you can commit to playing each week. If you have good musicianship skills (on the viol or another instrument) and are ready to dive in, the music we play in each consort offers just the right amount of challenge without being too demanding or overwhelming. Our continuing consorts are listed below, or we can create a new consort if there is enough interest.
Click here to ask about joining a consort.
Private Lessons
If you’re a beginner, don’t read music yet, or want to improve your ensemble skills before jumping right into a consort, we encourage you to start with private lessons first. Even a limited number of lessons can help you develop good technique, keep a steady rhythm, gain experience with more advanced repertoire, and hear how you fit into the bigger picture of an ensemble. Then test your new skills in an ensemble setting!
Click here to ask about private lessons.
Early Music Classes
Powers also offers several unique opportunities to learn more about early music! Young adults and teens aged 14-20 can join the Potentiae Collegium Youth Early Music Ensemble, led by Job Salazar-Fonesca, where they can learn to play with historical bows and study gamba.
Are you already a gamba player? Do you play another instrument, but want to learn more about early styles? Check out Ken Pierce’s Historical Dance for Musicians class, which focuses on the relationship between dance and music! And, stay tuned for our Harpsichord for Pianists class, taught by celebrated harpsichordist Frances Conover Fitch – more information coming soon!
How do I know which program is right for me?
Fill out our online inquiry form and we’ll have Jane reach out to help you design your own viola da gamba program! She can help you figure out whether an existing consort, a new consort, private lessons, or a combination of these is the best option for you. Depending on your interest, ability, and schedule, there is some flexibility with the length and frequency of private lessons.
Instrument rentals
Powers maintains a unique collection of viols in all different sizes that are available to rent.
To rent instruments, please contact staff member Stephanie Mann at smann@powersmusic.org, who can help you fill out and sign a rental agreement form. Instruments may not leave our building without a signed rental agreement.
Rental periods and rates
Rentals are $45 per month. Invoices may be sent monthly, or up-front if you know how long you’d like to rent it for. Here are a few examples of how you might want to set up your rental:
- $540 for full calendar year (September – August, or whichever 12 consecutive months you’d like!). If the instrument is needed for another year, it first must be returned to the office by August 15 so that the instrument can be checked out for any appropriate maintenance.
- $225 for Fall Semester Rental from September – January
- $225 for Spring Semester Rental from February – June
- $135 for Summer Semester Rental from June – August
- $135 for any consecutive 3-month rental
Please see this brief document on the history and care for these instruments.
