A note from DoubleBassBlog.org contributor Phillip Serna:

In February 2008, the ‘Viols in Our Schools’ website was launched. ‘Viols in Our Schools’ exists as a pilot program of the Viola da Gamba Society of America. Phillip Serna donates time to perform in schools, often pro bono. Renaissance music for viols, as well as performance of early-western string instruments, is almost never heard within the school setting. ‘Viols in Our Schools’ seeks to remedy this by offering performances/ lecture-demonstrations of Renaissance, Baroque and early Classical era literature enhancing the music program experience while entertaining audiences.

Phillip Serna got started with ‘Viols in Our Schools’ after years of recruiting students in public schools by performing day-long residencies at the High School & Middle School levels. His passion for the viola da gamba could go into recruiting young students and convert new enthusiasts to performing on the viol. This seemed like a worthwhile endeavor. Often Phillip performed for entire school days, with some days reaching as many as 600 students. Working with middle school, high school and collegiate students, Phillip hopes to continue to bring these instruments to wider audiences.

‘Viols in Our Schools’ News – Upcoming ‘Viols in Our Schools’ Collaborative Performances

‘Viols in Our Schools’ Collaborative Concert, March 18, 2008, 8PM

G.P. Telemann Concerto in A-Major for Viola da Gamba, TWV51:A5

J.S. Bach Sonata No.3 for Viola da Gamba & Harpsichord in G-Minor, BWV 1029

J.S. Bach Concerto for Harpsichord in d-minor, BWV 1052

Phillip W. Serna, bass viol & Jason Moy, harpsichord

Neuqua Valley High School Chamber Strings

Neuqua Valley High School Auditorium
2360 95th Street
Naperville, IL 60564

– Funded by a generous Artists-in Residence-Grant from the Indian Prairie School District 204 –

‘Viols in Our Schools’ Collaborative Concert, March 26, 2008, 7:00PM

Ignacio Donati Alleluia Haec Dies for Women’s Voices, Violin & Viola da Gamba

Phillip W. Serna, bass viol & Dana Green, violin

Naperville North High School Women’s Choir

Naperville North High School Auditorium
899 North Mill Street
Naperville, IL 60563

‘Viols in Our Schools’ Collaborative Concert, May 15, 2008, 7:30PM

Telemann Concerto in A-Major for Viola da Gamba, TWV51:A5

Phillip W. Serna, bass viol

Wheeling High School Chamber Orchestra

Wheeling High School Auditorium
900 South Elmhurst Road
Wheeling, IL 60090

‘Viols in Our Schools’ News – Upcoming ‘Viols in Our Schools’ Residencies

‘Viols in Our Schools’ Residency, April 10, 2008

High School at the Performing and Visual Arts
4001 Stanford, Houston, TX 77006

‘Viols in Our Schools’ Residency, April 11 2008

Johnston Middle School
10410 Manhattan Drive, Houston, TX 77096

Further Houston Residencies & Collaborative Concerts TBA

Additional Literature on ‘Viols in Our Schools’

Early Music America Coverage of ‘Viols in Our Schools’ – In Spring 2007, the Spring edition of Early Music America short news article in its Soundbytes section on ‘Viols in Our Schools.’

Viola da Gamba Society of America Coverage of ‘Viols in Our Schools’ – In March 2007, the Viola da Gamba Society of America will featured an article on ‘Viols in Our Schools’ in the VdGS News.

The Following Article on Viols in Our Schools Published in the American String Teacher (Volume LVII, No. II, May 2007, Pages 81-82) and The Scroll – Magazine of the Illinois American String Teachers Association (Spring 2007, Page 18)

To view photos of recent school residencies, please visit:

http://www.violsinourschools.org/Photos%202006.html

http://www.violsinourschools.org/Photos%202007.html

http://www.violsinourschools.org/Photos%202008.html

To contact ‘Viols in Our Schools’, contact Dr. Phillip W. Serna at info@violsinourschools.org

Please help us make viols accessible to both young and old. Any donation you make will directly affect future in-school endeavors. You can donate instruments, donate directly to ‘Viols in Our Schools’ (http://www.violsinourschools.org/), or visit our Cafe Press Store (http://www.cafepress.com/violadagamba).

‘Viols in Our Schools’ and all related website content is © 2008, Phillip W. Serna. Promotional use accepted.

For more in formation on ‘Viols in Our Schools’ visit http://www.violsinourschools.org/ and for more about Phillip W. Serna, visit http://www.phillipwserna.com/.