Summer Institute for Renaissance Polyphony

UC Berkeley, 21–25 June 2025

 Course brochure | Application form

 

We are delighted to announce a five-day summer course on the beautiful UC Berkeley campus, to be hosted by members of Cut Circle and by faculty from Berkeley, Princeton, and Stanford.

This year’s institute focuses on Josquin des Prez (ca. 1450–1521), who produced some of the most artistically rewarding music in the vocal canon. Open to both individuals (18+) and existing ensembles wanting to improve their sound, the course features immersive, small-group singing and tailored coaching sessions. Participants will experience the thrill of performing vocal polyphony alongside world-class interpreters of early music. Experts will lead workshops that bring to life the world in which this music was made.  

The program welcomes both strong sight-readers and singers willing to learn the repertoire in advance. The application consists of a simple form, with space to upload a sample of your singing. Rolling admissions.