Thanks to the Viola da Gamba Society of America (VdGSA)‘s Consort Loan Program, Phillip Serna partnered with Naperville North High School orchestra director Dana Green to start a viol consort program in Chicago’s western suburbs. In an effort to engage the community, raise awareness about that work in schools, the Viola da Gamba Society 3rd Coast (VdGS Third Coast), New Comma Baroque‘s Phillip Serna, the Naperville North High School Department of Music, and Grounds for Hope Café at Trinity Lutheran Church presented a benefit concert to raise money to purchase viols showcasing viol players from across the Midwest – and indeed the country – in an ambitious marathon of Johannes Schenck’s complete ‘Nymphs of the Rhine’ – Le Nymphe di Rheno, Op.8 for 2 Bass Viols.
Performers: Mary Anne Ballard (Baltimore Consort, Galileo’s Daughters, et al), Russell Bookout, James Lambert (Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Catacoustic Consort), Eric Miller (Wisconsin Baroque Ensemble), Gail Ann Schroeder (Baroque and Beyond, Columbia Baroque, et al), & Phillip Serna (New Comma Baroque, Black Tulip, et al), bass viols