About

The workshop series is an annual, intensive five days of immersion in Baroque music for singers and instrumentalists in the beautiful seaside hideaway of Denmark in Western Australia.  

In 2026 we will explore the French Baroque repertoire with eight renowned early music specialists, covering eight streams: Violin, Cello, Viola, Recorder, Flute, Double Reed, Harpsichord and Voice. Viola has been included as a speciality for the first time.

In morning technical sessions our expert tutors will focus on baroque interpretation, playing styles and techniques as they apply to each stream. Master classes will be provided to those who select this option.

Afternoons will be dedicated to the coaching of chamber/ensemble groups.  Baroque and modern instruments will be catered for. Existing ensemble groups are encouraged to apply.

The programme is intense, but there's time to relax, take a picnic to the beach, enjoy local bars and restaurants. Optional events will be organised.

 PUBLIC TUTOR CONCERT

The week will begin with a fabulous concert put together by our tutors as a Baroque showcase. Workshop participants are given two tickets to the concert.

FINAL CONCERT

Our work throughout the week will culminate in a final concert for participants and friends

TUTORS 

Tutor Bios

STRINGS: Shaun Lee-Chen, Concertmaster of Australian Brandenburg Orchestra.

CELLO: Noeleen Wright, Perth based Baroque specialist

VIOLA: Alix Hamilton, distinguished Perth based violist

VOICE: Brianna Louwen, Sydney based soprano and voice coach

DOUBLE REED:  Stephen Robinson, Prominent Australian Baroque Oboist

FLUTE: Andy Skinner, Baroque Flautist with Australian Baroque

RECORDER: Ruth Wilkinson, renowned Australian early music specialist recorder player, conductor and teacher

HARPSICHORD: Stewart Smith, studied at Royal Academy of Music London, historical keyboard specialist and performer, WAAPA teacher.

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TUTOR BIOS   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RtCYuFetKsveBRbvUfQvdRn-sEWsQ_3M/view?usp=sharing

GENERAL MUSIC INFORMATION 

You will receive the repertoire for the morning sessions and the afternoon ensembles electronically by early November.

Each tutor will message participants with detail of the plans for the morning session and provide links to the repertoire.

Afternoon ensemble repertoire parts will also be provide electronically.  Every effort will be made to place you appropriately. You will be given the instrumentation and details of players and links to the pieces to which you have been assigned. If you wish to make changes to your ensemble allocation we are happy to negotiate changes with you.

Scholarships: A number of full and part scholarships will be available depending on the success of grant applications. Scholarships will be awarded in October.

Scholarship Application Form

Proposed Daily Program Outline:

8.00 am Classrooms and common areas open for participants

9.00 - 10.15 Instrumental and Voice sessions

10.15-10.45 Morning tea

10.45-12.00 Instrumental and Voice sessions cont

12.00-1.00 Lunch

1.00 -2.15 Chamber music/ensembles

2.15 -2.45 Afternoon tea

2.45 -4.00 Chamber Music Ensembles

After 4.00 Several optional specialist lectures will be included. In 2025 Stewart lectured on Temperaments and Noeleen on Figured Bass. This year’s offerings will be finalised closer to the date of the workshops.

Evenings

College rooms will all be available for practise or ensemble playing

ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS

Participants can stay on site at the Agricultural College: $50 pp per night

The college has single rooms with a shared bathroom and a common room. People will be required to bring their own bedding (unless they are coming from outside the state in which case linen will be provided)

Lecture theatre and classrooms will be available for practice and informal playing in the evenings.

Participants can gather for (self catered) breakfast in common rooms, or the larger staffroom or dining room. There are barbecues and numerous outdoor tables.

Accommodation in Denmark town

There are many options, but January bookings are quickly filled during the year so an early booking is desirable.

Eating and Eating Out

Catered Lunches are an optional extra when you make your booking. Otherwise participants will bring lunch.

Restaurants and bars

A list of possibilities will be supplied .. and we'll organise a few gatherings at key places. 

Ag College facilities

Common rooms have a fridge, microwave and kettle. Limited crockery and cutlery - perhaps consider bringing your own if you would like to prepare meals in house. Staff common room has fridge, microwave, toaster. 

Location

Get directions

WA College of Agriculture Denmark
South Coast Highway, Denmark WA 6333

Contact Event Organiser