Early Music Performance

Inaugurated in 1960 by Kenneth Gilbert, the Early Music Program at McGill combines individual lessons and ensemble training with study of historical approaches to performance in its various activities -- workshops, master classes, guest lecturers and research projects. McGill owns an important collection of early instruments and historical copies from the 15th to the early 19th century, including five harpsichords, five organs, sackbuts, cornetti, baroque and classical flutes, oboes, clarinets, horns, bassoons, viols, and more than a dozen baroque string instruments. All are available for use by students in the School's many ensembles: Medieval and Renaissance Music Workshop, Cappella Antica, Collegium Musicum, and Early Music Area in the annual Historical Performance Academy with guest professors who teach in master classes and workshops for a two-week seminar in late May; recent artists have included violinist Stanley Ritchie and harpsichordist Kenneth Gilbert.

Field of study: Music Performance, General