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The Society is looking to expand its pool of rental instruments to make them more accessible to new players and support the development of the next generation of viol players. By increasing the availability of instruments, we hope to remove some of the barriers to getting started and create lasting opportunities for new players to learn and become involved in the Society.

We are particularly interested in acquiring trebles and tenors and extending the rental program across the states. To support this initiative, we are reaching out to members who may have instruments that are no longer in use and would be willing to sell them to the Society.

By passing these instruments on, members have an opportunity to leave a lasting legacy, helping future generations of players discover their passion for viols and ensuring that instruments continue to be enjoyed and valued for years to come.

If you have an instrument you would like to discuss, or would like further information, please contact us at info.avdgs@gmail.com

The Australian Viola da Gamba Society will hold its Annual General Meeting online on Sunday December 13 at 6pm.

Please put this date and time in your calendar now!

The meeting URL, agenda and minutes from the 2025 AGM will be distributed before the meeting. Nomination forms for positions on the Committee will also be circulated.

This is an important meeting to attend, as one of the main items of business will be the election of the Society’s Committee for 2027, including the President, Treasurer and Secretary, as well as other Committee members.

If you would like to join the Committee and help shape the activities and direction of the Society in 2027, this is your opportunity to put yourself forward. We would love to see new members get involved!

Given the success of Workshop 1 in Victoria, we are pleased to offer Workshop 2. The principal object of these events is to provide less experienced players with the opportunity to play in a consort.

Workshop 2

The second workshop will take place on:

Date:  Sunday 15th November 2026

Time: 2pm to 4pm (Note – the rooms are booked from 1pm to allow for set-up, tuning etc)

Where: Batesford Community Centre, 94 Batesford Road, Chadstone 3148 – in Meeting Rooms 1 and 2

Map:   View Map

BYO: Music stand, cushion etc

Music: In recognition of the approaching festive season, we shall study William Byrd’s setting of “Oh magnum mysterium”. We shall also include a selection of John Dowland’s 4-part songs.

Cost: $10. At the last workshop it was agreed that a tutor should be engaged for every alternate meeting.  Accordingly, the Society is simply asking for a donation to cover the cost of hiring the venue.

RSVP: please RSVP via email to dawclarke@gmail.com with an indication of the instrument you play (treble, tenor or bass) and your standard of playing (beginner, intermediate, advanced). PDF copies of the works to be studied will be distributed to those who will be attending.

To keep the ensemble balanced, we particularly encourage Treble and Tenor players to join the event.  Hopefully by studying 4-part works we shall be able to ensure that every part is doubled.

We look forward to seeing you there!!

The 2026 Australian Viola da Gamba Society (AVdGS) Annual Viol Workshop was held from Saturday 7 to Monday 9 March 2026 at the Castlemaine Steiner School on Djaara country. The workshop brought together viola da gamba players of all levels, including quite a few beginners, for an intensive weekend of music-making in a bushland setting.

The theme of the workshop, Semper Dowland, marked 400 years since the death of English composer John Dowland. Across the three days, participants explored Dowland’s songs and consort music, alongside a broader repertoire including fantasias and other early music works.

The workshop was wonderfully led by Artistic Director, Laura Moore, supported by a team of highly experienced musicians and educators: Brooke Green, Lizzy Welsh, John Weretka and Maddy Furlan. The tutors provided a mix of consort coaching, themed sessions, talks, and masterclass-style instruction. Sessions catered to a wide range of interests and skill levels, including technique, lyra viol, diminutions, contemporary consorts, broken consorts, low consort repertoire, and focused exploration of Dowland’s Lachrimae.

The three-day program included two talks: Extended Techniques on the Viol by Lizzy Welsh and John Weretka, and William Turner and the English Viol Consort by Ian Watchorn. These were very much enjoyed by the participants.

There was also a tutors’ concert held on Sunday evening where participants, family and friends enjoyed some splendid playing by the tutoring team. Along with Dowland, pieces included two contemporary works for the viol composed by Brooke Green.

Participants demonstrated what they had practised over the weekend by performing on the final day at the student consort concert.

The committee wishes to thank Laura, all the tutors, the participants and especially Pauline and David Gorrie who supplied marvellous catering throughout the three days.

Everyone is already looking forward to next year!

Matt Bond – AVdGS Committee