Summer Programs

Baroque Performance Institute

orchestra and singers on stage with conductor leading
Baroque Performance Institute participants in concert.
Photo credit: Dale Preston

"Sprezzatura and the Italian Baroque"

June 14-28, 2026

The Oberlin Baroque Performance Institute, the premiere summer workshop focusing on baroque instruments and voice, will mark its 54th year of preparing musicians of all ages (15 and up) to perform some of the great works on period instruments. Learn from faculty and resident artists and participate in master classes, recitals, and student concerts to practice baroque techniques and gain a fuller appreciation of this unique musical genre.

High school students who are at the advanced-level of playing on the modern instrument, with some or no experience on the baroque instrument are welcome to apply. Approximately 10 students will be accepted with a half-tuition scholarship for the full two-week program attendance. Room  and meals are an additional cost as outlined in the "Expenses" drop-down page below. PLEASE NOTE: You must be at least 15 years old to live in the dormitory.
 

REGISTRATION /HIGH SCHOOL APPLICATION

Please be sure to pay the adult registration/high school application fee of $50, payment link available in the form confirmation message. This is a non-refundable fee.

PRIORITY ADULT REGISTRATION AND HIGH SCHOOL APPLICATION DEADLINE: MARCH 15
Response emails including the program informational website will be sent after this deadline.

FINAL REGISTRATION AND HIGH SCHOOL APPLICATION DEADLINE: MAY 1
Response emails including the program informational website will be sent after this deadline.

PROGRAM PAYMENT DUE: MAY 15


Congratulations BPI Artistic Director Kenneth Slowik, recipient of the 2025 Howard Mayer Brown Award!


EMA logoThe Oberlin Baroque Performance Institute is Early Music America’s 2020 recipient of the Laurette Goldberg Award. Named for teacher, performer, author, and musical innovator Laurette Goldberg, this award recognizes ongoing, outstanding achievement in educational or outreach endeavors by individual performers, teaching artists, or ensembles.


Would you like to support the Baroque Performance Institute? 
If so, we invite you to make your online donation. In order to direct your donation, please be sure to choose "other" and then indicate "Conservatory: Baroque Performance Institute." Once you've completed this process, pleases send an email to: ahoffman@oberlin.edu to let us know about your gift, and we'll be sure to apply it to the Institute fund.

Here's the link:  Donation Portal


OPENING EVENTS ON SUNDAY, JUNE 14
2-5pm    Registration in the Conservatory Lounge - 77 West College Street
                Free parking in the lot south of the Conservatory on Professor Street
6pm        Orientation Meeting in Kulas Recital Hall
7:30pm  Chamber Music Ensemble Auditions (sign-up at the registration desk)

CLOSING EVENTS ON SATURDAY, JUNE 27
1:30pm - 6pm   Chamber Ensemble Concert in Warner Concert Hall / Kulas Recital Hall

DEPARTURE ON SUNDAY, JUNE 29
 

Sample Daily Schedule Tuesday - Friday

Monday schedule slightly different to accommodate the ensemble assignment faculty meeting in the morning

8.00-9.00 am
Beginning Viol – Central 25

9.00-10.00 am                        
Viola Masterclass – Bibbins 238  
Reed Class (Oboes week 1 and 2, Bassoons week 2) – Robertson 228 & 230

9.00-10.30 am
Recorder Masterclass - Bibbins 224

9.00-10.50 am
Harpsichord Masterclasses – Central 21

9.30-10.15 am
Special Vocal Topics – Bibbins 223

9.30-11.30 am
Cello/Gamba Class – Central 25

10.00-10.30 am                       
Violin/Viola Technique – Bibbins 238

10.00-11.15 am 
Bassoon Masterclass (wk 2) – Bibbins 233

10.30 am-noon                       
Violin Masterclasses - Bibbins 237 & 238
Flute Masterclass - Bibbins 232

10.30 am-12.30 pm                  
Voice Masterclass - Kulas Recital Hall

11.00 am-12.00 pm                  
Fortepiano/Clavichord Masterclass (wk 2) - Bibbins 216

11.15 am-12.30 pm                            
Oboe Masterclass - Bibbins 233 

11.45 am-12.45 pm                            
Viol Consort Class I - Central 21

11.45-12:15 pm
Cello Technique Class – Central 25 

12.15-1.45 pm BPI Info Desk – CONSERVATORY LOUNGE

2.00-2.50 pm
Lectures and Fringe Concerts – Kulas Recital Hall

3.00-4.30 pm
Coached Ensembles - Posted on the Conservatory         
Lounge bulletin board 12.15 on Mondays
Recorder Consort

4.45-5.45 pm
Viol Consort Class II - Central 21

4.45-5.45 pm                     
Beginning Baroque Dance - Warner Concert Hall stage
Open to all

6.00-7.00 pm - Tuesday-Friday
Student Orchestra Rehearsal – Central 25
Chorus Rehearsal - Central 21

7.00-10 pm
Faculty Rehearsals (Mon-Thurs) Kulas/Warner

7:30-8:30 pm - Monday-Thursday                        
Continuo Workshop – Central 21

FACULTY CONCERTS – FRIDAYS – 8 PM
1st Friday - Kulas Recital Hall // 2nd Friday - Warner Concert Hall
($10 at the door for guests - non-BPI participants)

CHAMBER CONCERTS – SATURDAYS – 1:30-5:30pm

DEPARTURE DAYS - SUNDAY