Welcome!

Welcome to the 2026 VDB Baroque Academy Resources Page. Please bookmark this page as it'll be the main location for resources throughout the weekend. 

Friday 6 March

Time

Activity - at All Saints, South Hobart

5.30-6.15

Registration (Hawker Hall)

7.00-8.00

Tutors Concert (All Saints Church)

 

Saturday 7 March

Time

Activity - all at Mount Carmel College

9.30-11.00

Session #1 - Alexander Technique session

11.00-11.30

Coffee/Tea provided 

11.30-1.00

Session #2 - Chamber music sessions with tutors

1.00-2.00

Lunch (meals own responsibility)

2.00-3.30

Session #3 - Large Ensemble rehearsal 

3.30-4.00

Coffee/Tea provided 

4.00-5.30

Session #4 - Lecture on the influence of Dance in Baroque music

Evening

Evening meals own responsibility, practice

 

Sunday 8 March 

Time

Activity - all at Mount Carmel College

9.30-11.00

Session #1 - Baroque Dance Session with Simon Rickard

11.00-11.30

Coffee/Tea provided 

11.30-1.00

Session #2 - Chamber music sessions with tutors 

1.00-2.00

Lunch meals own responsibility 

2.00-4.00

Session #3 - Masterclasses

4.00-4.30

Coffee/Tea provided 

4.30-5.30

Session #4 - Large Ensemble rehearsal

Evening

Evening meals own responsibility, booked lessons or practice

 

Monday 9 March 

Time

Activity - all at Mount Carmel College

9.30-11.00

Session #1 - Chamber/solo rehearsals for Academy Participants’ Concert 

11.00-11.30

Coffee/Tea provided 

11.30-1.00

Session #2 - Chamber music sessions with tutors

1.00-2.00

Lunch meals own responsibility 

2.00-5.00

Session #3 - Long Sound Check/dress rehearsal for Participants Concert

5.00-5.30

Coffee/Tea provided 

6.00-7.30

Participants Concert (Mount Carmel College, Sandy Bay)

Evening

Post show drinks (Venue TBC)

Academy participants are not required to perform in the Academy Participants’ Concert if they do not want to, although it is recommended. Academy participants are welcome to attend the concert even if not participating.

GROUP 1 - own repertoire

Gabi (violin), Alan (bassoon/oboe), Kate (cello)

 

GROUP 2 - Rameau Concert 3 from 6 Concerts transcrits en sextuor 

Download music here

Alethea (violin 1), Isabelle (violin 2), Katie Y (violin 3), Layla (viola), Martin (cello), Theo (violone)

 

GROUP 3 - Muffat Sonata I from Armonico Tributo

Download music here

Natalya, Samantha, Lucy and Sarah* (violins):

Mvts 1, 3 & 5
Natalya (solo vln 1)
Samantha (solo vln 2)
Sarah (ripieno vln 1)
Lucy (ripieno vln 2)

Mvts 2, 4 & 6
Sarah (solo vln 1)
Lucy (solo vln 2)
Natalya (ripieno vln 1)
Samantha (ripieno vln 2)

* Sarah Sun & Mon only

All movts:

Rachel M (violin day 1, viola day 2), Momoko (viola 1), Peter (viola 2), Sebastian (cello), James (bass), Victoria (harpsichord)

 

GROUP 4 - Dowland: King of Denmark, Earl of Essex, Lachrymae 1

Download music here

Xavier (recorder), Chantal (violin), Rachel W (tenor viol), Rosemary (tenor viol), Molly (bass viol), Ann (lute)

Tutor notes here

Run by Penny McDonald and Jacob Golding.

The Alexander Technique teaches you to become curious about what you’re doing—and gives you the skills to play your music with more ease, grace, and joy. We will begin with the principles of the Technique, where we will learn to reset our bodies and breath, quieten the nervous system, and warm up in an Alexander-informed way.

We will then explore body, breath and presence in the performance context. We will explore how you have physically “placed” yourself when you perform—for example, what you’re doing with your body. We’ll also look at breath, presence, and how to connect with an audience.

This work is also about exploring what your performance habits might be, and if there is anything happening that is causing pain and discomfort. We can give you some tips to stop doing that unuseful thing.

More info: www.harmonicmotion.com.au

Private sessions with Penny are also available on Saturday - email penny@harmonicmotion.com.au or call 0428 377 060 to book in.

Patrice Connolly from Saraband Music will be here Sunday and Monday for anyone who wants to look at bows, strings and other stock.

Patrice will be in the Drama Room (downstairs) on Sunday between 9am-4pm, and on Monday 9am-2pm.

She will have the following stock on hand:

  • Strings: Aquila & Toro
  • Rosins
  • Bows: cheap viola & cello
  • master violin, viola & cello
  • Violin & viola bags
  • Peg Turners
  • Greeting cards

Patrice can be contacted directly on patrice@saraband.com.au / 0434 882 454.

1. Xavier & Victoria - Fontana Sonata

2. Natalya & Martin (w Donald) - Stradella Sinfonie No. 2

3. Rosemary & Victoria - Bach Sonata for gamba and harpsichord in D major

4. Llewellyn & Victoria - Telemann Sonata 

5. Izzie (w Donald) - Couperin Concerts Royaux

Followup materials from the session can be downloaded HERE.

 

Penny and Jacob also have an online course which is $25 for over 4 hours of information and procedures: https://everydayalexandertechnique.com/