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Organists 'Go for Baroque'

Get in a centuries-old European groove with performers at the Early Music Festival.

By TERRI BRYCE REEVES
Published March 9, 2007

DUNEDIN - Remember to "spring forward" and set your clock one hour ahead on Sunday.

But before then, "fall back" a few hundred years as the American Guild of Organists sponsors an Early Music Festival today and Saturday.

Dubbed "Go for Baroque," the melodic fest is a grass roots effort by local performers to highlight European musical styles from the 1400s to the 1700s. The event is in its third year; it was first held in 2004.

And lest one thinks medieval, Renaissance, baroque or classical music is stuffy or dull, think again. Many of today's rock, jazz and popular artists were influenced by the great composers of that day.

"It's rhythmic, lively, beautiful and entertaining music," event architect Carol Alexander said.

"Back then every self-respecting castle had its resident composer and conductor," she said. "Mozart, Hayden and Bach were all employed by dukes or princes to entertain. It had to be good or they got fired - or worse."

Besides period music, the festival will feature costumed madrigal singers, an early instrument "petting zoo," and a Renaissance comedy called Festino. At noon Saturday, learn more about calligraphy at the Painted Fish Gallery or herb gardening at the Treehouse Garden Collection, both in downtown Dunedin.

Alexander said she is thrilled that 40 to 50 county elementary, middle and high school students of the Upper Pinellas Music Teachers Association will be performing on either a harpsichord or fortepiano Saturday morning at the First United Methodist Church of Dunedin. The harpsichord and fortepiano are both predecessors of the modern piano.

"This gives young people a chance to play music by Bach or Mozart on the instruments for which they wrote it," Alexander said. "We are excited that young people are becoming involved and interested in this type of music."

Alexander, a 60-something resident of Clearwater Beach, is the great-granddaughter of Dunedin's first mayor, L.B. Skinner. She was introduced to music at an early age, now she plays the piano, harpsichord, organ and fortepiano.

Though we'll "lose" an hour this weekend, Alexander hopes people will take the time to soak up the music that is sweet, innocent and doesn't pose hearing hazards.

"It's quite a contrast to the big, loud, amplified concerts of today," she said.

If you go

Early Music Festival

First United Methodist Church of Dunedin, Main Street and Douglas Avenue

Tonight

7:30 - Gulf Coast Baroque Ensemble

Saturday

10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. - Students of the Upper Pinellas Music Teachers Association

10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. - Early instrument "petting zoo" and recorder workshop

11:30 a.m. - Caladesi Consort Recorder Ensemble

12:15 p.m. - A Consort of Viols

1 p.m. - "Heather and Lace," Celtic and early music

1:45 p.m. - Thomas Huffman, organ

2:30 p.m. - Bach organ concert

3:15 p.m. - Bryce Westervelt, tenor

The Treehouse Garden Collection, 434 Virginia Lane

Saturday

4 p.m. - The Merry Madrigalians

Peace Memorial Church, 110 S Fort Harrison Ave., Clearwater

Saturday8 p.m. - Festino , a madrigal comedy by Herald Voice Ensemble

[Last modified March 8, 2007, 22:15:53]