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

Black Tulip Presents 'Women & Power'BLACK TULIP PRESENTS ‘WOMEN & POWER!’

Black Tulip returns with ‘Women & Power‘ – a new program focusing on heroines of the ancient world, both mythological and semi-historical. You’ll hear Alessandro Scarlatti’s “Lucretia Romana,” the intense cantata depicting a Roman matron whose rape and subsequent suicide led to tyranny’s overthrow; “Semele,” a cantata by Elisabeth Jacquet de la Guerre; “Judith,” Sebastian Brossard’s cantata about the biblical heroine; and a portrait of the Greek Poetess Sappho by English composer John Blow …continue reading…

St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church, Chicago, IL
Friday, November 1, 2019 7:00PM
http://bit.ly/BlackTulipWomenAndPower11_1_2019
Emmanuel Episcopal Church of La Grange, Sounds of the Sanctuary Series, La Grange, IL
Sunday, November 3, 2019 3:00PM
http://bit.ly/BlackTulipWomenAndPower11_3_2019
Early Music Series at the Byron Colby Barn, Grayslake, IL
Sunday, November 10, 2019 4:00PM
http://bit.ly/BlackTulipWomenAndPower11_10_2019
Live from WFMT, 98.7 WFMT, Renée Crown Public Media Center, Chicago, IL
Monday, November 25, 2019 8:00PM
http://bit.ly/BlackTulipWomenAndPower11_25_2019

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