Early Music Studio

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The Early Music Studio (EMS) generally explores music of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. We strive to recreate music of this period by discovering the performance style in use at the time of its composition. Because the ensemble includes performance on copies of period instruments, it operates at a lower pitch: usually, A=415, sometimes, A=430. Directors often perform with students on our four yearly programmes.

Instruments, Repertoire and Approach

EMS instrumentalists perform on copies of Baroque and Classical string, wind and keyboard instruments supplied by the Faculty; they will explore a variety of mostly baroque repertoire.

Keyboardists will work continually to improve their figure-reading skills, with a goal of being mostly fluent by the end of the second term.

Courses Offered

The EMS is available either as a large ensemble credit (except for orchestral string players) or as a course credit (2971a/2972b, 3971a/3972b, 4971a/4972b, 9568a/9569b).

Coordinating Director: Joseph Lanza
Keyboard Consultant: Borys Medicky
Audition Required. Audition Information
Rehearsals: Mondays & Wednesdays 3:30-5:30 p.m.

2026-27 Performances

Please read the Audience Information page before joining us on campus.
Concert programs are available for download up to a week in advance.
Durations are estimated.

Monday, November 9, 2026 7pm von Kuster Hall (1 hour)

Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra musicians Cristina Zacharais, violin, and Jussif Barakat Martínez, double bass, will visit Western to perform side by side with Early Music Studio faculty and students.

Tafelmusik information and guest artist bios (PDF)

This event is part of a residency taking place November 7-9 with Tafelmusik.

Wednesday, November 25, 2026 7:30pm von Kuster Hall (1 hour)

Saturday, January 30, 2027 7:30pm von Kuster Hall (1.5 hours)

Opera Gala with the Early Music Studio

Wednesday, March 17, 2027 7:30pm von Kuster Hall (2 hours)

The Early Music Studio Bande will perform orchestral works on period instruments, and will also split into various smaller ensembles for chamber music for our 2026-27 season closer. After exploring the extraordinary possibilities of historic performance together for the full school year, we'll be at our best! Please come join us on St. Patrick's Day, and wear a bit of green!