Early Music at the Barn

10/28/2024

10/20/2024

What an amazing ride it’s been. You could have knocked me over with a feather if you had told me in 2002 that a concert series devoted primarily to Art Music of Western Europe before 1800 - presented in a 19th Dairy Barn, converted to a performing space - would have attracted such a devoted and enthusiastic audience for more than 20 seasons. You came, you listened with your hearts, minds and ears - sometimes you brought snacks, wine and beer. And you added to the conversation.

I’ll admit it. I’ve been putting off writing this.

Most of you know that the future of the Early Music at the Barn series has been in doubt. Many factors have led to this which I won’t name in detail here. For these and other personal reasons, it’s clear that now is the right time. All good things come to an end, and Early Music at the Byron Colby Barn has reached its natural end point.

21 years. Amazing. I never would have thought a concert series focused on often obscure music from times that typically don’t get much stage time elsewhere would last so long. We didn’t dumb it down and play only the “greatest hits.” We sometimes went outside the western tradition, and sometimes played music from the 20th and 21st centuries. And you loved it and came for more. We programmed often challenging programs that encouraged listeners to expand their idea of “The Beautiful” and to even re-think the ways humans have made and experienced music - and why they do.

There are so many who have played a big role in the success of the series, often behind the scenes.

Here are just a few -

Stan Rosenberg
Daniel & Jineen Heiman
George & Vicky Ranney
Jerry Fuller
Sheryl DeVore
Peter Swenson
Erin Bartley Cummisford
Kim DeRose
Michelle Meno

Many thanks to Terry Duchow and Jason Moy for their help brainstorming ways to continue the series. It didn’t work out in the end, but I greatly appreciate their affection for the series and desire to keep it going.

And a huge thank you to my wife Heidi Spears, for supporting me in what was always a labor of love.

Apologies to any I have forgotten.

Whenever you miss the unique experience and the unique acoustic that was a concert in The Barn, remember that you can always visit byroncolby on youtube.

I’m grateful to all of you.

- Joel Spears

Pictured below: Patrick O'Malley, Jerry Fuller, Joel Spears, Lisette Kielson (2002)

01/23/2024

01/11/2024

From the Montpellier Codex (13th century):

Thüringer Barockorchester Capella JenensisSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1HIe52R1GNWUskyJGIZC6d?si=HarTgFwaTXCwhTmHo-BP8gApple Music: https://music...

01/09/2024

Friends of Early Music at the Barn, this is worth a trip down to Hyde Park!

Friday, 3:30pm, University of Chicago. See our founding artistic director speak about decades of work on Notker of St. Gall, the subject of Schola Antiqua's forthcoming recording.

01/06/2024

A new take on one of our fave pieces of Ear Candy -

Ground after the Scotch Humour (Nicola Matteis) with funny changes of instruments! ;-)From our new album "Gentleman for a Day"Album Release: January 19th 202...

01/03/2024

Fantasia by Robert White (1538-1574)

Ensemble Feuervogel has a new CD coming out next month!

https://ensemble-feuervogel.de

recorder:
Nura Natour
Tabea Popien
Felix Schlenker
Mathis Wolfer

Robert White (1538-1574)https://ensemble-feuervogel.derecorder:Nura NatourTabea PopienFelix SchlenkerMathis Wolferaudio and video recording by Oren Kirschenb...

12/26/2023

Fabulous music from Josquin and Praetorius.

Michael Praetorius: Friede der SeelenEnsemble: Cardinal ComplexLeitung: Jonas Gassmann und Matías LanzAus der Kirche St. Peter Zürich, 14. März 2021Programm:...

12/23/2023

Get comfortable and enjoy this amazing performance by the Gabrieli Consort and Players -

Michael Praetorius Christmas Mass Paul McCreesh Gabrieli Consort and Players

12/23/2023

Merry Christmas from Early Music Sources and all of us at the Barn!

For the footnotes and other extra information see the following link:https://www.earlymusicsources.com/youtube/gaudeteCreated by Elam Rotem, December 2023.Si...