The Academy of Early Music

The Academy of Early Music

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Early Music in Ann Arbor: Enjoy the 2007–2008 Season!

The Academy of Early Music will sponsor or support several exciting early music events during the 2007 – 2008 season, from keyboards through baroque violin to larger ensembles.

Thanks to the generosity of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in providing our venue, the Academy Concert Series will feature three fine performances:

“Buxtehude and His Circle: Teachers, Colleagues, and Students” on October 27
Baroque violinist and U-M Doctorate Lara Hall returns to perform on February 16, 2008
Sancta Maria: 17th-Century Songs and Sonatas Celebrating Motherhood , 8:00 p.m. on Friday, May 9.

In addition to these events, the Academy will present House Concerts during the year. The first House Concert will take place at 4:00 on Sunday, November 11, at the home of Academy secretary Stephanie Rosenbaum. It will feature harpsichordist Ling-Ju Lai, a doctoral student of Edward Parmentier.

Other early music events this year which the Academy will support include a contribution for the accompanist of Kiri Tollaksen’s Stearns Collection lecture on September 22 and publicity assistance for the Ann Arbor Grail Singers concert at St. Thomas Catholic Church on April 27, 2008.

Please Mark Your Calendars with all these dates, and check the Academy website for details as the performance dates draw near.

Also check the Events page for other area performances.

Story of Concert - 2007

For more information on upcoming events, please see our Calendar Events Page.

Giving a Concert? Rent the Academy Organ!

If you attend early music concerts in Michigan or Ohio, you've probably heard the continuo organ owned by the Academy of Early Music. Made in Holland by Gerrit Klop, the Academy's organ is designed for chamber music and choral accompaniment, with a transposing keyboard for performances in either A415 or 440.
To achieve the mild, yet carrying, tone prized in continuo organs, the pipework of the Academy organ is made entirely of wood, following historical examples such as the 1610 Compenius organ made in Copenhagen. Its small size and solid construction make it easy to transport.

The dimensions of the organ are 35-1/2" high x 44-1/2" wide x 19-1/4" deep. The stops include one each at 8', 4' and 2', each divided in halves (bass and treble). Additionally, there is a treble compass 3' (i.e., 2-2/3') stop. The compass of the keyboard is 54 notes, CC to f''.

The Academy's continuo organ is available for rental by interested organizations and individuals. Rental fees for the Academy organ are $400 for up to 120 hours (i.e., 5 days), and $750 for 6 to 12 days. Fees for longer rentals may be negotiated with the Academy. Please note that these fees are different from those printed in the previous newsletter, as the Academy Board subsequently revised the fee schedule. Insurance and other requirements apply to rentals.

Academy members may use the continuo organ at substantially reduced rates: $100 for up to 120 hours (i.e., 5 days), with longer rental periods negotiable. The Academy's insurance covers use of the organ by Academy members.

All users of the organ are responsible for transporting it to and from its Ann Arbor storage location. For details, address your inquiry to Eberhard Gerlach (e-mail epg@ams.org or phone 734-663-6419).

"There we should talk over the lessons of the day, or lose them in Musick, Chess, or the merriments of our family companions.

The heart thus lightened, our pillows would be soft, and health and long life would attend the happy scene."

(Thomas Jefferson, 1771)