Eleventh in our series of guest articles marking Early Music Month
by Judith Klotz
In central New Jersey and neighboring Pennsylvania, the early music consortium, Guild for Early Music, is celebrating Early Music Month 2017 with eleven events. Every weekend this month features at least two performances. The ensembles range from semi-professional to professional and include vocal, instrumental, and mixed groups.
The March 2017 series comprises 11 different ensembles and six venues, including Salon 33 in Princeton which includes potluck suppers.
Since 2005, the Guild has presented an annual Festival showcasing its performing groups at Grounds For Sculpture, a contemporary sculpture arboretum in Hamilton NJ. Radio station WWFM – The Classical Network, contributes announcers and media sponsorship. There are two indoor venues, an instrumental ‘petting zoo’, and outdoor strolling musicians. The 2009 Festival was featured in the Spring 2009 issue of EMAg. Starting in 2018, the Guild’s Festival will be held in March.
In contrast to our Festival during which there are typically two ensembles performing simultaneously (and two others tuning) the March series entails no conflicts or overlaps of dates and times, so we hope that our audiences and members will enjoy multiple concerts.
The Guild for Early Music was formed in 2004. Its website guildforearlymusic.org contains an event calendar, links to each of its 25 ensemble members, and listings of individuals in the region who perform, teach, or offer services to musicians. It has been a 501(c)3 charitable organization since 2009.
