Membership

The Viola da Gamba Society of America is a not-for-profit national organization dedicated to the support of activities relating to the viola da gamba in the United States and abroad. Founded in 1962, the VdGSA is a society of players, builders, publishers, distributors, restorers and others sharing a serious interest in music for viols and other early bowed string instruments.

Join or renew by choosing one of the following methods:

the digital way * | the old-fashioned way

If you are already a member and need to update any directory information (address, phone, email), contact the membership secretary.

Membership in the Society is on a calendar year basis and provides you with our quarterly newsletter and annual journal, as well as access to our events and valuable resources as listed below.

We offer an introductory, first-year membership to residents of the U.S. and Canada for only $20!

Annual dues are:

$30 for individuals or families in the U.S. and Canada ($20 for first year)
$25 for students in the U.S. and Canada
$35 for all other countries and all institutions

Checks submitted must be payable to VdGSA in U.S. currency and drawn on a U.S. bank. Visa and Mastercard are cheerfully accepted.

VdGSA Publications

VdGSA News: a quarterly newsletter
Journal of the Viola da Gamba Society of America: an annual scholarly journal
Membership List: an annual international listing of members and teachers

Events

The Conclave, an annual week-long summer event offering professional coaching, performances, and lectures to participants; provides an opportunity for viol enthusiasts to exchange insights and information and to play with friends, old and new.
Regional Workshops, playing sessions, and other events organized by an extensive network of Chapters and area representatives.
Traynor Composition for New Music for Viols, a periodic composition competition offering prizes for outstanding new literature for the viol consort.

Resources

VdGSA Grant Programs
VdGSA Music for viols at low prices for members
Microfilm Collection of music and literature about viols available for rent by members
Viols (bass, tenor, treble, pardessus) available for rent
Recordings on CD and cassette of viol music performed by three professional North American ensembles available for purchase
Video on French Baroque viol playing available for purchase

For further inquiries about membership, please contact Ken Perlow at post@vdgsa.org.

* Membership application over the web via secure server. Note that if you are using a Netscape or Microsoft browser that's Version 3.x or older, when you click on the digital way link you may see a screen that says you have an out-of-date security certificate. In this event, simply direct your browser here and follow the easy instructions to download an up-to-date one.