Viola da Gamba Society-Pacifica
Site Updated 1/01/2013




About the Chapter

The Viola da Gamba Society-Pacifica, a chapter of the Viola da Gamba Society of America, is an association of viol enthusiasts in the San Francisco Bay Area. We enjoy playing chamber music of the sixteenth through eighteenth centuries (as well as some contemporary music) from England, France, Italy and Germany on treble, tenor and bass viols. Members include novice to advanced players, instrument makers, teachers and performers.



Membership Activities/Benefits

  • Monthly Saturday meetings for playing in ensembles with players of similar ability and coached by leading professional players.
  • Monthly Gamba News newsletter, September through June.
  • Viol rental program. For information on currently available instruments and rates, contact John Mark.
  • Referrals to local viol teachers.
  • Cost of a normal membership is $40 per year, a student membership is $15 per year, and a household membership is $50 per year, all of which includes attendance at the monthly consort meetings and the chapter's email announcements and monthly newsletter. A $15 non-playing membership includes the email announcements and monthly newsletter only.
  • To join or for more information, please fill out the membership form or email the Chapter.


Chapter Monthly Meetings, 2012-2013

DateCoachTopics
September 8Josh LeeCare of the left hand - increasing efficiency, reducing stress and avoiding injury.
October 13Farley PearceThe Bourrée and possibly the Courante from J.S. Bach's Suite #3 for cello adapted for any size viol, and, time permitting, a Scottish tune from fiddler Nathaniel Gow's 18th century collection.
November 10Pat O'Scannell'Road-mapping' for more fluid and concise bowings: The forearm, the hand and then the fingers (in that order) are utilized to execute long, medium and fast notes. In addition, the whole bow, about half the bow or less, and very little bow are used to execute these same long, medium and fast notes.
December 8Marie SzutsBach chorale and ensemble playing. The chorales are a wonderful tool for practicing ensemble breathing and careful attention--plus they sound amazing on viols!
January 12Mary Springfels.
February 9Stanford Workshop with John Dornenburg and others.
March 9Shira Kammen.
April 13David Morris - Voices and Viols.
May 11Julie Jeffrey and Peter Hallifax.
June 8Pacifica Chapter Concert for Friends/Family .

Chapter Officers, 2012-2013

PresidentDalton Cantey
Vice PresidentRicardo Hofer
Co-SecretaryCarolyn Butler
Co-SecretaryBetsy St. Aubin
TreasurerEllen Fisher
Newsletter EditorPeter Brodigan
Rental CoordinatorJohn Mark
VdGSA Chapter RepresentativeLee McRae
Coaching Liaison & WebmasterAlexandra Saur
Membership List CoordinatorRoy Whelden
Member at LargePeter Ballinger
Member at LargeMelita Denny
Member at LargeJohn Dornenburg
Member at LargeRobin Easterbrook
Member at LargeMary Elliott
Member at LargeStuart Elliott
Member at LargeEllen Farwell
Member at LargeJulie Jeffrey
Member at LargeLynn Lipetzky
Member at LargeJulie Morrisett
Member at LargeElisabeth Reed



Chapter Classifieds



Early Music Links


Viola da Gamba Society-Pacifica is an affiliate
of the San Francisco Early Music Society

For further information, contact our chapter president: Dalton Cantey.
For site corrections/questions, contact: Webmaster

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