Course Number: Music 149
Instructor: Christine Brandes
Description/History
UBE performing in 2018
The UBE is currently open to players of violin, viola, cello, bass, recorder, flute, keyboard, guitar (or lute) and vocal students. Interested double reed or brass players should contact Professor Brandes directly. For students who currently play the modern versions of these instruments, lessons and coaching are available to aid in bridging the differences inherent in the instruments and techniques.
The University Baroque Ensemble performs music of the Baroque period (c.1580-c.1740) on historically appropriate instruments, using performance styles based on the performance practices of the specific national styles. The repertoire ranges from early consort music, through Purcell, Lully to Rameau, and the titans of the high Baroque: Bach, Handel, Vivaldi, and Telemann.
UBE is unique among all university baroque ensembles in the US as many of the students in the ensemble are loaned original instruments from the 17th and 18th centuries.
Whenever possible, the Ensemble performs directly from seventeenth-century and eighteenth-century scores, learning to become familiar with the quite different kinds of musical notation used in earlier periods.
If you would like to help support the UBE, please donate directly to the Baroque Endowment Fund.
Participation and Audition Information
The UBE is open to all students, music majors, minors, and non-majors, both enrolled and non-enrolled, as well as to community members.
To audition, complete the audition form for University Baroque Ensemble.
New students must audition. Preference is given to enrolled students who will join for both Fall and Spring semesters. New students and those interested in Music 168H (Early Music Performance) should arrange for an audition slot.
Players and singers should prepare a solo piece of baroque music by Handel, Bach, Vivaldi, or something comparable that demonstrates fast and slow playing/singing. Excerpts from two different pieces, movements or composers are acceptable.
For more information about the group, please contact the Director, Christine Brandes at cmbrandes@berkeley.edu.
Attendance at all rehearsals and participation in concert performances is required.
Upcoming Performances
No performances currently scheduled.
Recent Performances