The Viola da Gamba Society of America is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the support, in the United States and abroad, of activities and resources relating to the viola da gamba, other early bowed string instruments, and the music for these instruments.
We are a Society of players, builders, publishers, composers, distributors, restorers, and others sharing a serious interest in these beautiful instruments, their history, and their music, both old and new.
We hold an annual, week-long Conclave in mid-summer at educational institutions around the country with a faculty of internationally recognized performers and scholars.
If this is your first visit to our web site, we suggest that you start with a message from our president.
Join the VdGSA and experience the music, scholarship, and camaraderie!
December 10, 2019 - New Trios available for purchase, and Skill Levels. The ever-prolific composer Anon now has an additional two Fantasias à 3 available on the Editions for Sale page. While you're there, be sure to check out all the other recently added editions! Also, many editions now have a rating of estimated difficulty level. Thanks to Alice Renkin for managing these editions. In the menu, choose "Music", then "VdGSA Editions for Sale", and look in the "à 3" section. Or, direct link to the page.
December 9, 2019 - Three New Teaching Videos. Not just one, but three new Teaching Videos, recorded at Conclave 2019, are now available to play or download. Adaiha MacAdam-Somer demonstrates "Finding a Comfortable Left Hand Position". Brent Wissick illustrates "Practicing with Both Sides of Your Brain". Tobi Szuts explains "Eveything You Need to Know About Frets". Thanks to these teachers, and thanks to Zoe Weiss for producing the videos, and to Loren Ludwig for video editing. In the menu, choose "Videos", then "Teaching Videos"; these three new videos are at the top of the list. Or, direct link to all Teaching Videos.
November 30, 2019 - New Life Members: Linda Shortridge and Jack Ashworth. We are proud to recognize the decades of volunteer work and friendship by our newest Life Members, Linda Shortridge and Jack Ashworth, named at Conclave 2019. View a brief recap of all our Life Members, including Linda and Jack: from the menu, choose "About Us", then "Life Members". Or, direct link.
November 13, 2019 - VdGSA Journal issues #49 and #50 available to view. The VdGSA Journal issues #49 (2015-2016) and #50 (2017-2018) are now available to view and download. Thanks to Editor Robert Green and the rest of the editorial staff, the authors, and Production Editor Marie Szuts. The consolidated index to all issues has also been updated, thanks to Jean Seiller. Check out the fascinating and thoughtful articles in the menu to the left, under "Publications & Research", then "Journal of the VdGSA". Or, direct link.
October 3, 2019 - Jenkins 3-part Fancys (barless) available to download. Martha Bishop's new barless edition of the Jenkins 3-part Fancys is available to download. Thank you, Martha! Look under "MUSIC" in the menu to the left, then "Free Downloadable Sheet Music". Or, direct link.
Conclave 2020 dates and location are announced! Mark your calendars: Conclave 2020 will be July 26 - August 2, 2020. We'll be returning to Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. More details as they become available.