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VMAC (the Vermont Music and Arts Center) is a workshop for serious amateur musicians who would like to play chamber music in an informal and congenial atmosphere - to "take a vacation with music."
VMAC differs from most workshops in that our faculty usually play with us rather than listening and teaching from the outside. Instead of being assigned groups for three or four pieces of music, we choose our own repertoire and form our own ensembles, which may include one of the coaches at our invitation. Playing with the faculty - being coached from within the group - inspires us, and we learn from their example. Selected "Works of the Weeks" are suggested for groups that want more formal coaching, but particpants may ask for coaching on a different work of their choice. See the Daily Schedule page for a more complete description of the program.
To derive maximum benefit from the program, participants should come prepared to play at least a few works from the standard chamber literature. The staff will gladly provide coaching on prepared works. Elementary instruction is not offered, but experienced musicians who are new to playing chamber music are very welcome.
At home we may not have the right combination of good players for larger works or unusual instrumentation, but VMAC provides winds, singers, strings, pianos, harpsichord, and an extensive music library. It gives us the opportunity to revisit works we have studied in other workshops, and to introduce other musicians to our lesser-known favorites. Most participants play with a great many others and encounter a wealth of new pieces as well as the old favorites.
The Center maintains a library of over 1000 performing editions of chamber music, from baroque to contemporary, for strings, winds, keyboard, and voice.
Participants in VMAC are automatically members of the Vermont Music and Arts Association (VMAA). The members elect a governing board, which administers the Center. For more information about VMAA activities, see our most recent newsletter.
Please email us with any questions about the program.
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Our 67th Season
Please Note:
We regret to announce that the 2021 workshop has been cancelled.
If you have been a participant in recent years but have not received our messages about the cancellation, please contact our Registrar, Jeff Stewart, at the email below.
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Order your VMAC shirt
in your favorite color.
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other items.
Newsletter November 2019
Questions? Contact Jeff Stewart, our Registrar, by email