COPY OF Early Music Week at Pinewoods

“Fabulous music and dance in a magical setting.”

–Lorraine Graves

August 23-29, 2026 // Plymouth, MA

Renaissance, baroque, and medieval music for players and singers of all levels

Program Description

Early Music Week offers joyful opportunities and challenges to players, singers and dancers of every level, from beginners to the highly experienced. As classes unfold through the week, we explore and discover the innovation and creativity that lie behind some of the world’s most vibrant and compelling Renaissance, Baroque, and medieval music, listening and playing with deeper understanding, as well as dancing together and enjoying all that Pinewoods has to offer.

Instrumentalists may focus intensively on their primary instruments, play or sing with others in mixed ensembles, and find time to explore something completely new. Singers can delve into early music repertoire in small groups, sing in a chorus and/or collegium, and try an introductory instrumental class. Everyone is invited to enjoy English country dancing, with instruction during the day for all levels. This elegant, low-impact, fun, and welcoming style of participatory dance is the highlight of every evening. Dances are led by expert callers with music played by an elegant live band. All are warmly encouraged to participate.

Schedule

Arrival and Departure

Sunday Arrival Schedule:

3:00 p.m.	The earliest you can start arriving at camp
4:30-6:00	Welcome party / lifeguard on duty for swimming
6:00	Tour of camp starting from the Camp House
6:30	Dinner
7:45	Orientation gathering
8:15	Opening night dance and party

Saturday Departure Schedule:

7:45-8:15 a.m.	Breakfast
10:00 a.m.	Final departure

Draft Daily Schedule

7:45 a.m.	Breakfast
8:15	Stretches and vocal warm-ups
9:00-10:15	Period 1
10:45-11:45	Period 2: English country dancing by level
12:30 p.m.	Lunch
2:00-3:00	Period 3
3:20-4:20	Period 4
4:30-5:00	Tea time
5:00-6:30	Side-by-sides / free time
6:30	Dinner
7:45	Evening events (lectures, concerts)
8:15-9:45	Evening dance
9:45 onward	Special events and after-dance activities

Class Descriptions

Dance Terminology

English country dance

TBD

Registration and Fees

Camp fees cover all accommodation, meals from dinner on the arrival day to breakfast on the departure day, and all of the various dance, music, and song events in the program.