Detail for Smith College Workshop
August 4–6 and 7–12, 2023

Share the joy of ensemble singing with The Western Wind!
Western Wind Workshops are uniquely interactive, intense musical experiences. Each participant is made part of a small ensemble that is guided / facilitated (not conducted) by a member of The Western Wind. In their small ensembles, participants sing an eclectic and intriguing selection of music that might include Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque, Early American, 19th and 20th-century part-songs, rounds, hymns and folk-songs, jazz, pop, improvisations and more!

Through small-group sessions and master-class style seminars, The Western Wind addresses each singer’s individual development, fostering growth in skill and accomplishment. Because the ensembles are formed based on musical skills, the workshop is open to singers at all levels – professionals and amateurs, soloists and ensemble performers, conductors and music teachers.


See pictures of past Smith Workshops

Located amid the charming sophistication of Northampton, Massachusetts, Smith College is the oldest women’s college in the United States. Smith’s historic campus, nestled at the foot of the Berkshires, is surrounded by the unspoiled countryside of New England. The campus provides excellent facilities for jogging, tennis, workout, swimming and squash. Scenic, wooded walks and a superb art collection are added offerings.

Smith College is within driving distance (2½ hours) of New York and Boston. Peter Pan Bus lines operates daily service to Northampton from New York City and Boston. Amtrak serves the town of Springfield, Massachusetts just 30 minutes from Northampton, and bus service is available from Springfield to Northampton. Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks, Connecticut, services all major airlines and is a 45-minute drive from the campus.

Register

You may make your deposit now for the period of your choice.
(You will receive an email acknowledgment with a link to our questionnaire.)


Session Details:

Workshops Basics/Qualifications

Our participants come from a variety of musical backgrounds and have a vast range of experience. The minimum requirements are that you’re able to carry a tune and have a basic familiarity with music notation. If you’re unsure, please give us a call, and we’ll help you out.

Tuition and Accommodations

On-campusOff-campus
(commuter)
SingleDouble
Weekend$645$595$400
5-day$1,425$1,395$750
8-day$1,895$1,845$1,045

Note: After July 7, tuition increases by:
$35 (Weekend) or $50 (5-day & 8-day)

Bring Your Group! Pre-existing groups are welcome at Western Wind Workshops. Discounts are available on tuition for groups of eight or more.

Get a 10% discount if this is your first Western Wind Workshop.

A 5% tuition discount is applied for Friends of the Western Wind. Partial scholarships are available based on financial need.

Participants are housed in a lovely and airy dormitory on campus. Participants also have the option to arrange their own overnight accommodations. A list of nearby hotels and motels and travel information will be sent upon request. Delicious meals are served on campus. The Smith food service creates fresh meals on the premises and will accommodate most diets including vegetarian and vegan.

Off-campus participants who choose to have meals on-campus will be charged for these meals at check-in ($16 for breakfast, $18 for lunch, $27 for dinner, or $48 for all 3 meals in a day).

Arrival/Departure Info

Weekend session begins Friday evening, August 4 and concludes Sunday, August 6.

5-day session begins on Monday evening, August 7 and concludes on Saturday, August 12 in the late afternoon.

8-day session begins on Friday evening, August 4 and concludes on Saturday, August 12 in the late afternoon. (Monday August 7 is a day off until the evening. It’s an opportunity to explore the gorgeous Smith campus, swim, hike, shop and visit local area attractions.)

5-day and 8-day participants residing in the dorm can arrange to stay the final Saturday evening following the conclusion of each workshop for a modest additional charge.

Faculty:

Guest Faculty:

Robert Eisenstein, viola da gamba. Founding member of The Folger Consort, early music ensemble in residence at the Folger Shakespeare Library, Washington, D.C. Director of the Five College Early Music Program in Western Massachusetts. Lecturer in Music History at the University of Massachusetts. Performances with the Newberry Consort, Tanglewood Festival, Cappella Nova, the New York Consort of Viols, the Washington Bach Consort, Hesperus, and the National Symphony. BA Antioch College., MM, Sarah Lawrence College.

Hideki Yamaya, lute and guitar, was born in Tokyo, Japan. He spent most of his career in the West Coast before settling in New England, where he is a freelance performer and teacher. He is one half of the Schneiderman-Yamaya Duo and is the artistic director for Musica Maestrale, an early music collective based in Portland. He is also recognized as an effective communicator and teacher, and has given masterclasses and workshops at Yale University, University of California, Santa Cruz, Montana State University, Oregon State University, and Aquilon Music Festival.

Yumiko Matsuoka, contemporary a cappella and jazz specialist. Originally from Tokyo, Japan; professor at Berklee College of Music in Boston, teaching ear training. Founder of Vox One, a Boston-based a cappella quintet, whose albums Vox One (1993), Out There (1995) and Chameleon (1997) have won multiple awards from the Contemporary A Cappella Society of America (CASA). In 2008 she released an anthology album of her arrangements and compositions entitled To Every Thing There Is a Season. Published by the University of Northern Colorado Jazz Press.

Schedule

A Sample Western Wind Workshop Day
9:00–9:45Vocal warm-ups and rehearsal of large group piece
10:00–12:00Small group rehearsals
12:00–1:30Lunch and relaxation
1:30–2:00Optional musicianship skills classes or duo/trio coaching with guest faculty
1:45–4:00Small group rehearsals
4:15–5:00Optional country dancing with live band
5:00–6:00Optional jazz classes
6:00–7:00Dinner
7:15–9:30Performance seminar by all small ensembles

8-day participants have Monday open for recreational activities, including a swim at a local pond. 5- and 8-day participants have Thursday afternoon free to play tennis, go jogging or swimming, walk into town, or take a nap!

The Western Wind and guest faculty present a concert on the first Friday night of the workshop.

Weekend participants finish their stay by presenting a concert on Sunday afternoon. 5-day participants present their final concert on Saturday afternoon. 8-day participants participate in both concerts.

Full days of performing and listening, participating and appreciating will enrich your a cappella voyage through the ages!

Scholarships

A limited number of partial scholarships based on ability and financial need will be available. For information regarding scholarships please contact The Western Wind office: via e-mail or via phone, 212-873-2848. Scholarship requests are due by May 1, 2023.

Transportation

Smith College is within driving distance (2½–3 hours) of New York and Boston.

By Bus – Contact Peter Pan Bus Lines (413-781-3320) for information about schedules to Northampton. There is daily bus service between Northampton and New York City and Boston.

By TrainAmtrak (800-USA-RAIL) now stops in Northampton again.

By Air – Northampton is 33 miles north of Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks, Connecticut, which is served by all major airlines. A door-to-door shuttle service provided by Valley Transporter (800-872-8752) is available from Bradley to Northampton for approximately $32 each way (reservations are required). Peter Pan Bus Lines (413-781-3320) provides transportation from Bradley to Northampton via a transfer in Springfield, MA. Logan International Airport in Boston is served by all major airlines and is a 2½ hour drive from Northampton.

Registration Policy

Advance registration is required to ensure your enrollment. To register please send your deposit to us via Paypal on this website or by check to: The Western Wind, 250 West 100th Street, Suite 1112, NY, NY 10025. A letter of acknowledgment containing pertinent information as well as a questionnaire will be e-mailed to you upon receipt of your registration. Your balance due for registration and/or accommodation fees must be paid prior to the workshop. You will be billed via PAYPAL for your balance due 10 days before the workshop starts.

A full refund can be made for cancellation received prior to July 7. From July 7–July 20, a cancellation fee of 50% of the deposit will be charged to cover administrative costs. Deposit is forfeited if cancellation is made after July 20. If the workshop is canceled or postponed, neither Smith College nor The Western Wind is responsible for any related costs, charges, or expenses, including cancellation/change charges assessed by airlines or travel agencies.

Special Offerings

The Smith Workshops also offer opportunities to perform in larger ensembles and sing informally in open reading sessions. Our guest faculty members coach and accompany singers in ensemble and solo repertoire from the Renaissance and Early Baroque, as well as in the subtleties of jazz and pop performance.

Optional performance practice classes are available (during 5-day periods only). Past topics have included vocal jazz improvisation and arranging led by Yumiko Matsuoka, and Early Music topics led by Robert Eisenstein.

Music Policy

The cost of the large group piece (which everyone sings) is included in the tuition. In our small ensembles published editions will be used whenever possible and participants will need to purchase the music used. In addition, a library of outstanding ensemble music will be available for sale.