From Bingen to Bach with The African Renaissance Ensemble

Join Adam H. Golding for a lecture and demonstration on early music specifically aimed at Grade 10 – 12 music students and teachers with live performances by The African Renaissance Ensemble.A unique opportunity for music students and teachers to experience the joys of early music live, in an engaging, entertaining, and informative presentation.From the luminous music of Hildegard of Bingen to the brilliance of J. S. Bach, this live programme brings Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque music to life. Through performance, commentary and demonstration, Adam H. Golding and The African Renaissance Ensemble will take students on a hilarious, informative, and often gruesome journey, exploring key styles, composers, instruments and innovations connected to the music curriculum, providing a rich historical and listening context for the wonders of early music.Hosted by St. Mary's School, WaverleyA great opportunity for students to Actively learn about early music in a fun and engaging waySee how instruments developed over the centuriesExperience different systems of tuning and intonationLearn about improvisation and baroque performance practicesBuild a foundation for a deeper understanding of later periodsA perfect PD opportunity for teachersSee and hear period performance in actionReinforce understanding of earlier musical periodsThe programme will cover topics including:The Medieval PeriodMonodyEarly notationOrganumThe origins of polyphonyParallel writingThe RenaissanceChurch, dance and narrative musicAdvanced polyphonyMensural notationModal writingIntonation and temperamentUse of Consonance and dissonanceMusic, mathematics, and GodWriting for consortGround bassContinuoFigured bassThe BaroqueThe dance suiteThe trio sonataThe birth of operaPitchCountertenors and the CastratiTransition from modes to keysThe concertoThe birth of the orchestraThe ensemble includes a string consort, brass consort, wind consort, and continuo, as well as a full vocal ensemble and percussion.You will see and hear some remarkable renaissance and baroque instruments including: Baroque Violins and Viola, Renaissance and Baroque Recorders, Renaissance Flute, Traverso, Crumhorns, Cornetto, Sackbuts, a Baroque Guitar, one of only three Theorbos in South Africa and the only Baroque Mandolino in South Africa.