Musica Alta Musica Alta is the early music ensemble of Princeton University, sponsored by the Department of Music. We are a forum for the performance of early music and the exploration of performance practice issues. Instruments The Music Department's collection of period instruments is available to members of the group for performance and private lessons. This collection currently includes consorts of viols, recorders, and krummhorns, as well as a lute, portative organ, shawm, sackbut, and harpsichord. Recent Performances The ensemble’s repertoire extends from the Medieval to Baroque periods. Recent performances include 16th and early 17th-century music from composers serving the English Chapel Royal, Franco-Flemish Chansons and Dances, early 18th-century Italian and Italianate music published in London, a musical journey across the Brenner pass, a program of Handelian chamber music for the 2007 American Handel Festival and Music from the Age of the Crusades (a concert held in conjunction with the interdisciplinary course “Introduction to Western Culture”). Membership and Rehearsals Vocalists and instrumentalists are equally welcome. Prior experience with early music is not required. We have recorder and viol consorts in years when there is sufficient interest, and the group aims to support members in pursuing their own performance projects, especially student recitals. Rehearsals are usually once per week (except close to performance dates), for two hours per session. Current Concerts "Opus 1: A Celebration of Musical Debuts" - with selections from debut publications and operas by Vivaldi, Handel, Purcell, Lully, Legrenzi, Buxtehude, Dowland and Attaingnant. Free admission. Sunday, April 26, 2009. 3:00pm at McAlpin Rehearsal Hall in the Woolworth Center for Musical Studies. For more information, contact the director, Nick Lockey, at nlockey@princeton.edu