Letter from the President

This webpage is the portal to a wealth of information-and some entertainment-pertaining to that elegant and sociable instrument, the viola da gamba (viola "of the leg") or as the English call it, the viol (French/viole). I invite you to browse the site at your leisure for pictures, history, sound clips and even video "lessons" on the viol.

While the heyday of the viol family of instruments was from the 1500s through the 1700s, when home music-making was a primary form of family entertainment, the revival of early music in the 20th century produced a renaissance of the viol, complete with new music and fine makers for the instrument. Music lovers who "play well with others" seem to gravitate to the viol, whose typical ensemble is two to six well-matched players, each with a part that is musically interesting but not requiring virtuosic technical skills for a satisfying experience.

Incorporated in 1962 by a handful of viol enthusiasts meeting at a small town near Annapolis in Maryland, the VdGSA now has about 1000 members in North America and abroad, ranging from children not yet in their teens to nonagenarians, and in ability from beginners to advanced professionals with major careers. In between, there is room for every lover of the viol, and the encouragement and support each needs to progress from one playing level to the next.

The Society has a Board composed of amateur and professional players, and usually an instrument builder, elected and appointed to guide the Society as it works to advance the knowledge and love of the viol. I am pleased to be president of an association so friendly, enthusiastic, and devoted to its cause, where the spirit of cooperation carries over from our music-making into our deliberations on how best to make the viol accessible to all. Some of our initiatives include the formation and nurturing of chapters in metropolitan areas; national rental and rent-to-own programs; grants to individuals and groups; a directory listing members and teachers geographically; a rich quarterly Newsletter crammed with news of viols doings and advice on the care and playing of the viol; a scholarly journal of the history and performance practices of the viol; listings of makers and vendors, classifieds, lost and found, and much more!

To many of us, the signature activity of the VdGSA is its annual summer Conclave, which began as a viol house party weekend in 1963 and now brings together 100-200 members for a week of classes, concerts, lectures, and casual playing on a college campus somewhere in the U.S. At Conclaves, members stock up on music, get their instruments and bows serviced-or buy new ones, learn the latest ideas in practicing and playing, hear the best of the best performers, and-essentially-play 'til they drop, all with the nicest group of people you will meet anywhere. As an amateur player who has grown up with the viol since attending my first Conclave in 1980, I like to observe that the viol draws people who prefer harmony to contention, affection to domination.

So, again, welcome to our webpage, whether you are an old friend or a new acquaintance. Explore at your pleasure, and e-mail me about your experience here. We want our site to be informative and attractive, because we want you to love the viol as we do!

Suzanne Ferguson
VdGSA President