General Information

• Experience Level: The workshops themselves are for advanced beginners through seasoned players: while we will be teaching playing skills the main focus will be on learning repertoire, so some experience in playing the instrument is recommended. Beginners are more than welcome to come observe and soak in the experience. See Workshop Fee for further details.

• Tuning: The chosen tuning for the festival is D/G, so please make sure your instruments are set up to play in D/G tuning. This means the melody strings are in D and we may use G or D drones depending on the repertoire. 

• Housing and Transportation: Participants are responsible for their own housing and transportation to and from the venue.

• Meals:

  • Breakfast: Coffee and pastries will be provided each morning to start your day.

  • Lunch: Sandwiches will be available for lunch each day.

  • Optional Dinners: We will have an optional dinner together on Friday and Saturday night, but these meals will be at your own expense.

We are looking forward to a weekend of music, learning, and connection!

Class Descriptions

Renaissance (Mary Vanhoozer) 

In this class we will learn to play four renaissance tunes, three of which belong to significant dance music collections from the 16th and 17th centuries: Tielman Susato’s Danserye (1551), Claude Gervaise Livres de Danceries (1557) and Michael Praetorius' Terpsichore (1612). In addition, we will also learn to play a round on the hurdy gurdy written by the brialliant English renaissance composer, Thomas Tallis. The class will also explore topics pertaining to performance practice, ornamentation, and second voice or harmony line possibilities. 

French Balfolk (Taryn Spink)

TBD

Lecture - Articulation in renaissance dance music (Mary Vanhoozer) 

In this lecture, we will consider aspects of articulation in renaissance dance music, and how that applies to our left and right hand techniques: we will learn couping patterns we might use for a variety of renaissance dance repertoire and explore phrasing techniques for our left hand, which will help us bring life and character into our dance melodies. This will be a hands-on session, so please bring your instruments!

Lecture - Dance informs the Music; Music Informs the Dance (Taryn Spink)

TBD

Workshop Fee

If folks aren't able to attend the entire weekend, or if a minor wants to attend with a parent/guardian, there are options available at a further discount price. Please feel free to contact us! 

Playing Participant Full Festival Fee: $250

Individual Days: $50 for half day or $100 for full day

We have been encouraged by the many enthusiastic responses we’ve received regarding the Wheel Song Hurdy Gurdy Festival, and we’re delighted that a couple folks, who don’t yet have an instrument, have nevertheless expressed interest in attending as spectators. In light of this, we are delighted to open our festival to observers, as well as hurdy gurdy participants! 

Observer Fee: $150

Schedule

Friday, June 26th:  

3:30-4:00 pm Arrival and Check in. Get your hurdy gurdy in tune and address minor adjustments with assistance. Taryn will be available for help with instrument set up and maintenance as well as minor repairs.

4:00 - 5:45 Welcome session and foundations with Taryn and Mary

6:00 pm Group dinner at Currito Bowl in downtown Elmhurst.

7:30 pm Optional Jam session

Saturday, June 27th:

8:00 am Breakfast is open and will be available until 9:00 am

8:30 am Warm Up and Foundations with Taryn

9:00-10:30 am Morning Session with Mary

      10:30 - 10:45 Break with Snacks Provided

10:45 - 12:15 am Morning Session with Taryn 

12:15 - 1:15 pm Lunch provided

1:30-2:30 pm Lecture presented by Taryn

2:45 - 4:00 pm Afternoon Session with Mary

     4:00 - 4:30 pm Break with snacks provided

4:30 - 5:45 pm Afternoon Session with Taryn

6:00 pm Dinner/Dismissal (optional group dinner in downtown Elmhurst)

7:30 pm Faculty Concert featuring Mary Vanhoozer and Taryn Spink. Open to the Public. Located at Buik Hall in Irion Hall, Elmhurst University campus (190 S Prospect Ave, Elmhurst IL 60126.) This is the same location as our group sessions.

Sunday, June 28th:

8:00 am Breakfast is open and will be available until 9:00 am

8:30 Warm Up and Foundations with Taryn

9:00-10:30 am Morning Session with Mary

     10:30 - 10:45 Break with Snacks Provided

10:45 - 12:15 am Morning Session with Taryn 

12:15 - 1:15 Lunch provided

1:30-2:30 pm Lecture presented by Mary

2:45 - 4:00 pm Afternoon Session with Mary

     4:00 - 4:30 pm Break with snacks provided

4:30 - 6:00 pm Afternoon Session with Taryn

6:00 pm Dinner (optional group dinner in downtown Elmhurst)

7:30 Group performance and dancing

8:30 Group photo and departure