Tafelmusik Baroque Summer Institute

The TBSI faculty is drawn from the members of Tafelmusik, with a few invited guests with whom we have worked extensively. The experience of years of performing together enhances our teaching—and the opportunity to teach together enriches our performances. TBSI faculty for 2024 to be announced. 

2023 Faculty

(Scroll below to see full faculty bios)

Orchestra Directors
Patricia Ahern, Ivars Taurins, Julia Wedman

Choir Director
Ivars Taurins

Voice
Peter Harvey, Ann Monoyios

 Flute
Sandra Miller

Oboe
John Abberger

Bassoon
Stephanie Corwin

Violin
Patricia Ahern, Christopher Verrette, Julia Wedman, Cristina Zacharias

Viola
Brandon Chui

Cello
Michael Unterman

Double bass
Pippa Macmillan

Harpsichord
Charlotte Nediger

Lute/Guitar
Lucas Harris

Baroque Dance
Artists of Atelier Ballet

Accompanist & Keyboard Technician
Borys Medicky

The Instrumental Program is designed to offer experienced period players an opportunity for in-depth study of their instruments in a variety of solo, chamber, and orchestral settings. The program also offers players new to period instruments an introduction to the instruments, their technique, and the repertoire. The various components of the Instrumental Program are outlined below.

Instruments offered are flute, oboe, bassoon, violin, viola, cello, bass, harpsichord and lute/guitar. The availability of specific instrumental programs is subject to sufficient enrolment.

The program is open to advanced students and professional musicians, as follows:

• Players of period instruments
• Players of modern instruments who are interested in being introduced to the techniques of period instruments, the repertoire, and the principles of period performance practice.

String players will be provided with baroque bows as needed. A number of period wind and string instruments will be made available in part through the Jeanne Lamon Instrument Bank. String players may also use their modern instruments—we will assist with gut strings and retuning to a’=415hz. We have an array of harpsichords and chamber organs on site, and are able to provide loans of a theorbo and a baroque guitar.

Instrumental Program Outline

Masterclasses

Faculty members lead daily masterclasses in solo repertoire and technique. Repertoire guidelines for each class will be sent to participants prior to the Institute.

Orchestra

All TBSI instrumentalists participate in daily orchestra rehearsals, with additional sectional coaching by members of the Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra.

All instrumentalists play in one of two chamber-sized orchestras which perform in a public concert in the 2nd week.

All instrumental participants and faculty join forces to perform in the full orchestra for the Grand Finale on the last day of the institute.

Click here to see a list of TBSI Orchestra repertoire from recent institutes.

Chamber Ensembles

Instrumentalists participate in instrumental chamber ensembles, coached by members of the faculty. They also participate in mixed vocal/instrumental ensembles to explore the wealth of baroque repertoire for solo voice with instruments. Click here  to see a list of repertoire from recent institutes.

All chamber ensembles will have the opportunity to perform for other participants, faculty, friends, and family at an informal in-house concert.

Private Lessons

One private lesson is included in tuition. Extra lessons can be arranged for an additional fee.

Baroque Dance

Artists of Atelier Ballet (dance company for Opera Atelier) will lead classes in baroque dance for musicians. All participants are encouraged to join.

Continuo Classes

Charlotte Nediger and Lucas Harris lead daily continuo classes for keyboard players and lutenists/guitarists. Classes will include work on issues of style, technique, and sound production in chamber, orchestral, and vocal continuo repertoire on harpsichord, organ, and lute/guitar. Classes are divided according to the participants’ level of experience, so that we can accommodate both those who are new to continuo playing and those who have a range of experience.

Annual Bach Bash

All participants are invited to join in a spirited reading of one of Bach’s large-scale choral works, directed by Ivars Taurins assisted by various faculty members. Past ‘bashes’ have traditionally featured the St John Passion and St Matthew Passion.

Lectures

Lectures will be offered by faculty members and guests on various aspects of baroque music, performance practice, and baroque art and architecture.

Workshops

The program includes hands-on workshops in harpsichord tuning and maintenance for keyboard players and other interested participants.

Questions about any of the above? Email tbsi@tafelmusik.org

The Vocal Program is designed to offer advanced voice students and pre-professional and professional singers in-depth study of baroque vocal performance practice and repertoire. Acceptance in the vocal program is determined by audition.

The various components of the Vocal Program are outlined below.

Because the range of activities requires experienced singers with a secure, flexible technique, we limit participation to singers aged 21 or older. Exceptions for younger singers will be considered on an individual basis.

Masterclasses

Vocalists explore the solo repertoire of the baroque in masterclasses, addressing issues of style, performance practice, and vocal technique.

Choir

Ivars Taurins directs the vocalists in daily choral rehearsals, exploring issues of style, intonation, expression, and ensemble singing. The choral element of the Institute is central to the vocal programme and involves all the vocal participants. Each singer will participate in choral works with one or few singers to a part, as well as in the full choral works selected for the Grand Finale Concert. All soloists for the latter are drawn from amongst the participants.

We recognize that many of the vocal participants attending TBSI plan to pursue a predominantly solo career. Choral ensemble singing was an essential part of singers’ professional activities during the baroque era, and is an increasingly significant part of the careers of singers performing with period ensembles today as one- or few-to-a-part choral performances are embraced. It is also an invaluable hands-on (or voices-on!) method of teaching a great deal about baroque style at a very detailed level in a short period of time.

The small TBSI choral ensembles will perform with the TBSI Orchestras at a public concert in the second week, and all vocalists join forces with members of the Tafelmusik Chamber Choir, the TBSI Orchestra, and Tafelmusik Orchestra to perform in the Grand Finale on the final day of the institute. Click here to see a list of TBSI Choir repertoire from recent institutes.

Chamber ensembles

Vocalists participate in small vocal ensembles, coached by members of the vocal faculty and exploring the rich ensemble repertoire of the early 17th century, including madrigals by Gesualdo, Monteverdi, Strozzi, etc. They also participate in mixed vocal/instrumental ensembles, in which vocalists sing an aria or duet with a group of instrumentalists. These ensembles are coached by members of both the vocal and instrumental faculty. Click here to see a list of repertoire from recent institutes.

All chamber ensembles will have the opportunity to perform for other participants, faculty, friends, and family at an informal in-house concert.

Private lessons

One private lesson is included in tuition. Extra lessons can be arranged for an additional fee.

Baroque Dance

Artists of Atelier Ballet (dance company for Opera Atelier) will lead classes in baroque dance for musicians. All participants are encouraged to join.

Annual Bach Bash

All participants are invited to join in a spirited reading of one of Bach’s large-scale choral works, directed by Ivars Taurins assisted by various faculty. Past ‘bashes’ have traditionally featured the St John Passion and St Matthew Passion.

Lectures

Lectures will be offered by faculty members and guests on various aspects of baroque music, performance practice, and baroque art and architecture.

Workshops

The program includes hands-on workshops in harpsichord tuning and maintenance for keyboard players and other interested participants.

Questions about any of the above? Email tbsi@tafelmusik.org

The Tafelmusik Baroque Summer Festival presents four free public concerts in conjunction with TBSI: 

 Two faculty concerts: 

• The Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra & Chamber Choir 
• Faculty chamber recital 

 Two participant concerts: 

• TBSI Orchestras & Choirs (the small orchestras & choirs) 
• Grand Finale: All vocalists and instrumentalists, joined by the faculty 

 The participant chamber ensembles will have the opportunity to perform for other participants, faculty, friends and family at an informal concert. 

A detailed daily schedule for TBSI 2024 will be available a few weeks before the Institute. 

Each year at TBSI we welcome professional musicians from around the world to this intensive two-week programme in baroque immersion. This includes members of symphony orchestras who wish to explore baroque repertoire on a baroque instrument for the first time, as well as experienced players and singers who wish to expand their knowledge of the repertoire and historically informed performance practices.

For those who are new to period instruments, we are able to provide the loan of instruments and/or bows as needed, and offer a congenial environment in which any initial shock or embarrassment is quickly dispelled! It is a unique opportunity to delve into period playing at a very advanced level.

We are able to provide letters of support for those seeking funding through professional development grants, including those grants whose deadlines precede TBSI application deadlines.

Questions about the Institute can be directed to tbsi@tafelmusik.org.

The application deadline for TBSI 2024 will be announced in December 2023. 

Fees for TBSI 2024 will be announced in December 2023. 

Tuition 2023: CAD $1,395

International applicants should note that the Canadian dollar is distinct from the US dollar—check today’s exchange rate here to calculate the cost in your own currency.

A limited amount of financial assistance is available, and is awarded based on need to those participants who would otherwise be unable to attend TBSI.

We welcome auditors at TBSI. Details of TBSI 2024 will be posted in December 2023. 

TBSI tuition does not include accommodation: TBSI participants are responsible for making their own accommodation arrangements. Rooms at a University of Toronto residence will be available for booking at a special TBSI rate.

Administrative Coordinator: Kaitlin Saito
Artistic Coordinator: Charlotte Nediger

Email: tbsi@tafelmusik.org
Phone: 1 (833) 964-6337 x 236 or (416) 964-6337 x 236

(Voicemail only; messages are monitored daily will be answered as promptly as possible)

“I enjoyed the Institute so much and it greatly fed my spirit. I loved the faculty concerts, which were extremely inspiring. My favourite part of the institute was observing and participating in this uniquely playful and loving culture you all have created. Rehearsals were amazing and Ivars stretched my imagination to new heights. Ann and Peter were brilliant and loving mentors who seemed to always know exactly what to say. The variety of repertoire and genres explored kept my mind spinning with joy and making connections. I had an absolutely amazing time. Thank you for creating such a beautiful container for music making, and inspiring us to the next level.”
Matheus Coura (countertenor 2023 / Vila Velha, Brazil / San Francisco, CA)

“This is one of the best professional development experiences I’ve ever had. Thank you all so much for the amazing week, new friends, wonderful learning, and musical joy!”
Rocky Duval (mezzo-soprano 2023 / Brooklyn, NY)

“Thank you for making TBSI a wonderful family of musicians from all over the world!”
Cristina Prats-Costa (violin 2023 / London, UK / New York, NY)

“Thank you so much for the most wonderful inspiring, eye-opening, heart-filling couple of weeks!”
Freya Creech (violin 2023 / UK / Washington, DC)

“Being at the onset of a professional career can be very challenging for young musicians like myself, so opportunities like TBSI are invaluable. This program is really one-of-a-kind, offering the widest variety of historical performance. There were countless inspiring moments during the past two weeks: the all-star Tafelmusik faculty, passionate guest lecturers, and other young musicians. Learning so much in such a short space of time was (positively) overwhelming at times, and I’m very fond of all the experience, knowledge, and connections I’ll bring back to Dublin with me.”
Miriam Kaczor (flute 2019 / Szczecin, Poland /Dublin, Ireland)

“I will be departing Toronto full of inspiration from all of the incredible faculty and participants. I look forward to sharing this energy with my fellow musicians and audiences when I return to my hometown of Seattle.”
Cyrus Roat (bassoon 2019 / Seattle, WA)

“It was both an honour and a pleasure to work with such talented and knowledgeable colleagues and mentors. I really had a blast (a very busy one, but a blast nonetheless) studying and performing the delightful repertoire that was selected for us. I especially and thouroughly enjoyed the vast versatility I was allowed to give to my singing (from solo through big choir), which is not something that`s encouraged in every program.”
José Gabriel Sanchez (tenor 2018 / Mendoza, Argentina)

“The openness from the staff, faculty, and participants was amazing. Everyone seemed really positive and there to learn, which is not always the case at other institutes. I also loved how much we all moved around and had opportunities to lead and follow.”
Lindsie Katz (violin 2018 / Boulder, CO)

“I wanted to take a moment and thank you once again for the incredible experience that was TBSI. I cannot express how transformative the past two weeks have been. The level of instruction and performance opportunities are unparalleled. I have always enjoyed early music and often get hired to sing it, but coming to TBSI has confirmed my desire and need to pursue a career in this style of music. Thank you for your passion, wisdom, and inspiration.”
Adam Dyjach (tenor 2017 / Victoria, BC)

“The intensity of experience—playing solo, orchestral, and chamber music all in the course of two weeks—is unique and exhilarating. The faculty is amazing, and the level of organization really stood out. All members of staff were consistently enthusiastic, positive, and extremely helpful. The course of the two weeks has had a profound influence on me, and oriented my aspirations to early music.”
Adrian Ross (harpsichord 2017 / Toronto, ON)

“We improve really quickly due to the positivity of every member of the faculty and staff. Best possible social atmosphere to have. It feels like a family.”
William Foy (violin 2017 / Québec, QC)

“I think the best thing for me was to play so much great music with all these amazing people from all over the world. It’s really an awesome program!”
Qiao Chu (harpsichord 2017 / Beijing, China)

“I heartily encourage any musician at any stage of their student or professional life to consider applying: you can’t see on paper just the breadth and depth of education that you get here. Never before have I felt so challenged, so inspired, and so incredibly and overwhelmingly thrilled by learning and by making music. I leave TBSI with renewed confidence and passion, amplified vision, and new-found inspiration.”
Ashleigh Geiger (cello 2015 / Adelaide, Australia)

“I have never felt so well-informed, encouraged, and inspired as a musician in my life.”
Justin Luchinski (harpsichord 2015 / Montréal, QC)

“Thank you for an incredible TBSI experience—I am a changed musician.”
Jessica Foot (oboe 2015 / Melbourne, Australia)

Make a positive impact on the career of a young artist by making a donation to TBSI today! You will receive a tax receipt for the full amount of your donation.

• Each gift of $100 will support one-on-one training with our faculty offered throughout the program
• A donation of $350 will cover the cost of one masterclass for our participants
• A donation of $1,395 will allow one artist to attend TBSI tuition-free in 2023

Donate by visiting tafelmusik.org/support-tbsi