About

Dr. Phillip W. Serna, Double Bass & Violas da Gamba

In addition to his double bass career as soloist, orchestral performer and chamber musician, Phillip Serna has emerged among the nation’s leading advocates of the viol – the viola da gamba.  On double bass, he performs with the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra and others. Co-founding the Chicago-area historical-performance ensembles Black Tulip, New Comma Baroque, the Spirit of Gambo – a Chicago Consort of Viols and ViolMedium, he’s appeared with Burning River Baroque, Les Touches… continue reading…

Upcoming Releases

Size Matt’reth Not - The Compleat Fantazias for 2 Treble Viols & the 3 & 4-part Consorts for the 'Great Dooble Base' by Orlando Gibbons (bap.1583-1625)

COMING SOON! Join our mailing list for pre-release discounts with digital downloads available September 1st & CDs available September 15th! Size Matt’reth Not – The Compleat Fantazias for 2 Treble Viols & the 3 & 4-part Consorts for the ‘Great Dooble Base’ by Orlando Gibbons (bap.1583-1625) …continue reading…

On INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY 2019, viola da gamba performer & pedagogue Phillip Serna is joined by Mirja Lorenz, Cella Westray & Sara Neilson in SHATTERED GLASS, a NEW MUSIC recording in collaboration with composers Sarah Angliss, Martha Bishop, Eliza Brown, Alice Chance, Emily Doolittle, Lynn Gumert, Yun Helen He, Malina Rauschenfels, Lauren Redhead, Heather Spence & Patricia Wallinga. Please consider becoming a vital partner and help AMPLIFY the accomplishments of these visionary artists, shattering more glass ceilings with a CD release in time for WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH & INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY 2020!
COMING SOON! OUR KICKSTARTER WAS FULLY-FUNDED – SHATTERED GLASS WILL BE AVAILABLE MARCH 8, 2020 FOR WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY 2020! Digital Downloads Available March 1st & CDs available March 15th!  http://bit.ly/ShatteredGlassNewMusicForViolaDaGambaByWomenComposers3_2020 …continue reading…

Upcoming Events

The Lawes Brothers
THE LAWES BROTHERS

The Lawes Brothers, William and Henry, were leading English composers of their generation and lived during the tumultuous events of the 17th century. Henry was praised by his friend, the poet John Milton, as the first composer to set the English language to song in a way that rivaled the great contemporary Italian masters, while William was a gifted composer of instrumental music who played a large role in the cultural life at the court of Charles I. We’ll feature several of his Harpe Consorts, elegant and stylish court music scored for violin, harp, viol and theorbo. Tenor Ryan Townsend Strand will be joined by violinist Martin Davids, harpist Claire Happel Ashe, viol player Phillip Serna, and theorbist Joel Spears.

Valparaiso University Center for the Arts, Duesenberg Recital Hall, Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, IN
Saturday, February 1, 2020 5:00PM
http://bit.ly/TheLawesBrothers2_1_2020
The Early Music Series at the Byron Colby Barn, Prairie Crossing, Grayslake, IL
Sunday, February 9, 2020 4:00PM
http://bit.ly/TheLawesBrothers2_9_2020

Phillip Serna Performing with the period-instrument ensemble Black Tulip in Chicago, IL
MORE BLACK TULIP CONCERTS COMING SOON!

Phillip Serna Performing with the period-instrument ensemble New Comma Baroque in Ann Arbor, MI
MORE NEW COMMA BAROQUE CONCERTS COMING SOON!

Phillip Serna Performing with the period-instrument ensemble Viol Medium in La Grange, IL
MORE VIOLMEDIUM  CONCERTS COMING SOON!

Upcoming Workshops

Phillip W. Serna PedagoguePhillip W. Serna & Jessica Powell Eig at the International Society of Bassists Convention 2019

MORE WORKSHOPS WITH PHILLIP SERNA COMING SOON!

VdGS 3rd Coat/ Whitewater Early Music Festival 2018