VIOLA DA GAMBA SOCIETY OF NEW ENGLAND ANNOUNCES NEW GUIDELINES FOR THE SILBIGER GRANT FOR 2012-13

VIOLA DA GAMBA SOCIETY OF NEW ENGLAND ANNOUNCES NEW GUIDELINES
FOR THE SILBIGER GRANT FOR 2012-13.

The Viola da Gamba Society of New England is pleased to announce new guidelines for the Silbiger Grant in 2012-2013. This competitive grant supports New England viol players and vocal ensembles who wish to present music appropriate for viol consort and voices. The grant is now available not only to church and synagogue musicians, but also to small choruses and music directors who are eager to explore this repertoire. While viol consorts with a minimum of three or more players may apply, preference will be given to applications including voices.

The Silbiger Grant, now in its 17th year, may be used by groups at all levels of experience and ability. Music to be presented could include verse anthems and cantatas by Gibbons, Byrd, Tomkins, Schutz, and other English or continental composers. Easier anthems and hymns such as Tallis' "If Ye Love Me," Palestrina's "Sicut cervus", or hymns using 16th century chorale or psalm tunes could be performed with viols doubling vocal parts or with solo voice. Other music could include 16th and 17th century madrigals and consort songs.

The grant pays $600 (six hundred dollars), intended for the viol players and not for any other expenses incurred by the applicant. An applicant may elect to supplement the award with funds from other sources in order to include more players or a vocal soloist. Also, an applicant may choose one of the viol players to act as a collaborator/organizer, and pay that player a larger proportion of the award amount.

The Selection Committee emphasizes the following guidelines:

Musical excellence and repertoire of high quality which reflects the aims of the grant and is appropriate to the level of the viol consort and singers.

New England focus. The viol players must be from New England. The performance site must also be in New England.

Outreach. If possible, musicians should include a mixture of professional and amateur players and new audiences for viol music should be actively sought.

Previous recipients include: Immanuel Congregation Church, Hartford, CT (Dowland and Gibbons), Temple Beth David, Westwood, MA (Salamone Rossi), Church of Our Saviour, Milford NH (Byrd, Gibbons, Tallis), First Parish in Framingham MA (Byrd) , Saint Francis by the Sea Episcopal Church, Blue Hill ME (Ferrabosco, Tye, Byrd), and Saint Paul's Episcopal Church, Natick MA (Schutz Christmas Oratorio).

The grant commemorates the life and work of Gian Lyman Silbiger, viol player, teacher, composer and organist, who taught at the Longy School of Music, McGill University, and Brandeis University in the 1960's and 1970's. It is supported entirely by VdGS-NE members and friends. Tax deductible contributions are gratefully accepted. Please send to the Treasurer, Viola da Gamba Society New England, PO Box 192, Belmont, MA 02478.

Application Deadline for the 2012-2013 season is March 15, 2012.

Notification will be made by April 30th, 2012.

To apply, click this link (pdf format) : "Application for Gian Lyman Silbiger Grant for the 2012-2013 Season"
If you need to obtain a PDF reader, click here:

Please print a copy, complete all details and mail to:

  Jane Hershey, VdGSNE
  Silbiger Grant Applications
  PO Box 192
  Belmont, MA 02478

For more information, please contact Jane Hershey by telephone at 603-899-5036 or by email at: jhershey1@myfairpoint.net . She will be happy to tell you more about the grant or give you names of area viol players

Thank you for considering a proposal for the Silbiger Grant.

Silbiger Grant Planning Committee (Suzanne Cleverdon, Martha Davidson, Jane Hershey)

Silbiger Grant Description

Links