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.

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—these orchestras will perform at a public concert on Wednesday, June 7.

All instrumentalist participants and faculty join forces to in the full orchestra for the Grand Finale on Saturday, June 10.

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 on Thursday, June 8.

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 Ann Monoyios, Peter Harvey, and some of the instrumental 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. Those who are able are encouraged to attend the live auditions in Toronto in early March 2023 (dates and times tba). Those unable to attend may submit a recent recording.

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

Teachers Ann Monoyios and Peter Harvey 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 on Wednesday, June 7, and all vocalists join forces with members of the Tafelmusik Chamber Choir, the TBSI Orchestra, and Tafelmusik Orchestra for the Grand Finale on Saturday, June 10. 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 on Thursday, June 8.

Private lessons

One private lesson is included in tuition. Extra lessons can be arranged for an additional fee. Ann Monoyios and Peter Harvey are both available for lessons.

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. We also plan to have a movement class specifically for vocalists.

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 Ann Monoyios, Peter Harvey, and some of the instrumental 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

Faculty Concerts

Monday, May 29 at 8pm (Jeanne Lamon Hall, Trinity-St. Paul’s Centre)

A concert by Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra and Chamber Choir, with baritone Peter Harvey.

Saturday, June 3 at 12:30pm (Walter Hall, University of Toronto)

An informal chamber recital featuring members of the faculty.

Participant Concerts

Wednesday, June 7 at 1pm (Walter Hall, University of Toronto)

The smaller orchestras and choirs perform under the direction of Patricia Ahern & Julia Wedman (orchestras) and Ivars Taurins (choirs).

Saturday, June 10 at 7:30pm (Grace Church on-the-Hill)

Grand Finale concert: The full TBSI Orchestra and Choir are joined by the faculty and by members of the Tafelmusik Chamber Choir to perform large-scale orchestral and choral works.

All of the concerts above are open to the public.

Chamber ensembles will have the opportunity to perform for other participants, faculty, friends and family at an informal on Thursday, June 8.

The schedule at TBSI is a busy one. In order to offer the fullest possible range of activities, we have classes and rehearsals from morning to evening, seven days a week. All work and no play is good for neither body nor soul, so we will leave time for social activities, and will all take a break at the midway point following the faculty chamber recital. Nonetheless, participants should plan to devote the entire two weeks to the Institute. Out-of-town participants hoping to see the sights in Toronto may want to plan to arrive a day or two early, or leave a day or two late.

A detailed daily schedule for TBSI 2023 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 March 1 application deadline has passed, but applications are still being accepted for some classes. Contact tbsi@tafelmusik.org for more information.

Application Requirements:

Complete the application form. Note that you will be required to attach a CV to the application form, so plan to prepare that in advance. Letters of reference are not required.

Violinists

Because of the challenge of determining suitability for the program for the large number of violin applicants, we are asking violinists to submit a video audition recording (on baroque or modern violin) of a short baroque work (a single movement is fine). No solo Bach please. Simple videos done on a phone are fine. [Recordings are optional for violinists who attended the Virtual TBSI in 2021 or 2022.]

Submit files to Tafelmusik’s OneDrive, or email tbsi@tafelmusik.org a link to Youtube videos or similar. Please ensure that your files or links include your name, the name of the composer/piece being submitted, and the date the recording was made.

All other instrumentalists

Instrumentalists other than violinists are not required to audition. Eligibility is determined by the applicant’s education and experience as outlined in the applicant’s CV. If the CV does not provide adequate information, the applicant may be asked to submit a recording.

Vocalists

For live auditions:

• Singers are expected to sing two contrasting baroque arias (opera, cantata, or oratorio) or songs
• Pitch for the audition is a’=415hz
• A harpsichordist will be available to accompany you
• Please bring clear, legible copies of the music for the accompanist
• You are not required to bring copies of your headshots or CV

For recordings:

• Singers are expected to sing two contrasting baroque arias (opera, cantata, or oratorio) or songs
• We accept audio or video files; please ensure the files have good sound quality
• Recordings can be at any pitch
• Submit files to Tafelmusik’s OneDrive, or email a link to Youtube videos or similar. Please ensure that your files or links include your name, the name of the composer/piece being submitted, and the date the recording was made.

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.

The Application for Financial Assistance must be submitted by March 1, 2023 in order to be considered.

Click here to apply for financial assistance 

Thank you for your interest in the Tafelmusik Baroque Summer Institute. We welcome auditors to all aspects of the institute except private lessons and coachings. Auditors may sit in on masterclasses, lectures, workshops, orchestra and choir rehearsals, and dance classes, and are encouraged to attend our free concert series. Please note that auditors do not actively participate in the classes they choose to attend.

All events from May 28 to June 9 midday take place at the Faculty of Music, University of Toronto, unless indicated otherwise. At noon on June 9 we move to Grace Church on-the-Hill to prepare for the June 10 Grand Finale concert.

Please view the full schedule of events here.

Auditors may register for the entire Institute, or purchase daily or individual class passes, as follows:

FULL PASS
Cost: $600

A full pass allows the auditor to attend any events of their choice during the entire Institute, May 28–June 10. To obtain a full pass, please fill out the registration form here, and Kaitlin Saito, Administrative Coordinator will contact you to complete the registration. You may also register in person as of May 28 at the TBSI Office at the Faculty of Music (Room 130). The Full Pass includes reserved tickets to all concerts, including the very popular Grand Finale.

DAY PASS
Cost: $75

You may choose to register in advance for a day pass here. Or, you may purchase a pass at the TBSI Office at the Faculty of Music (Room 130) on the day you wish you attend. If you register in advance, you are not required to select a specific day or days. You are advised to check the schedule carefully as there are a few days which offer fewer activities than others.

INDIVIDUAL CLASS PASS
Cost: $30

You may choose to register in advance for an individual class pass here. Or, you may purchase at the TBSI Office at the Faculty of Music (Room 130). If purchasing the pass in person please plan to arrive 15 minutes before the scheduled class/lecture begins

Instructions for Auditors

Whether you are auditing the entire Institute, or individual days or classes, it is essential to check in at the TBSI Office upon your arrival each day to check for any schedule changes, and to determine room assignments for each class. An up-to-date schedule is posted outside the TBSI Office, and staff is on hand to answer any questions. Office hours are 8am to 10pm daily, and the office is located on the main floor at the west end of the building, just off the main lobby. At noon on June 9 the TBSI participants, faculty and staff move to Grace Church-on-the-Hill.

There are four free public concerts during TBSI. See details here.

All concerts are offered with FREE ADMISSION. The concerts on June 3, and June 7 are seated on a first-come, first-served basis — no tickets required. The concerts on May 29 and June 10 require advance registration for all except Auditors who purchase an Open Pass, for whom registration is included. All others should check the concert web page for details.

If you have any questions about any of the above, or about the Institute in general, please contact us at  tbsi@tafelmusik.org / tel (833) 964-6337 x 236.

TBSI tuition does not include accommodation: TBSI participants are responsible for making their own accommodation arrangements. Summer accommodation on the University of Toronto campus is available at a number of locations. Details of campus residence accommodations at a special TBSI rate will be made available in January 2023.

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)

“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)

“The program is so jam-packed that you can’t leave here without feeling you just got a huge boost! Please continue to organize this fabulous course as it fills such an important niche in Canada.”
Wilma van Berkel (theorbo 2012 / Guitar instructor, Western University)

“Handel masterclass with Ann Monoyios: simply brilliant! Ornamenting is SO AWESOME.”
“HOLY CRAP—sitting and singing RIGHT NEXT to Peter Harvey at Grace Church!!! I’m the luckiest baritone EVER!”
Keith Lam (baritone 2011 / Toronto, ON)

“One of the best experiences of my life.”
Agustin Orcha Mata (double bass 2013 / Jaén, Spain)

“I have attended a number of different summer music programs. While all of them have been beneficial, this has been the most complex and the most smoothly run, besides being extremely informative and inspiring.”
Nancy Hennen (flute 2012 / Flute instructor, Brandon University)

“This was my first time playing baroque oboe, although I have been studying modern oboe for a long time. The Tafelmusik oboists, John and Marco, are artists of the first rank and I could not have asked for a better start anywhere.”
Daniel Waldron (oboe 2010 / Toronto, ON)

“I enjoyed how holistic the program is—how we learn not just about the music itself and the practical aspects of playing it, but also about the era and its aesthetic. I have learned more about baroque music than I realized I didn’t know!”
Eleanor Verrette (viola 2012 / Toronto, ON)

“Lesson with Ann was incredible. Staff and instructors so encouraging, understanding, and loving. Finally understanding and then ‘nailing’ the Gesualdo was the best feeling ever. Ivars = Amazing.”
Katie Cross (soprano 2011 / Toronto, ON)

“Being completely immersed in the baroque style for two weeks taught me more than I’ve learned in five years of music study. The singers you picked were all incredible people and musicians, and working with them every day was a pleasure. Being able to sing such challenging music in so many different ensembles was occasionally overwhelming, but oh-so-rewarding and very often thrilling.”
Jennifer Krabbe (soprano 2011 / North Bay, ON)

“I felt completely comfortable yet motivated in this intense/relaxed atmosphere. I always felt encouraged, never felt undermined. This is the best program I have attended, incredibly organized and so much fun! My approach to music has changed and my love for music is revived!”
Michelle Odorico (violin 2012 / Pickering, ON)

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