At Merit School of Music, we know that working closely with professional musicians and guest artists can be transformative, opening doors to new ways of thinking about music and inspiring students to reach beyond what they thought possible.
This fall, select strings students from Merit Philharmonic, along with one harpsichord student, had the rare opportunity to collaborate with Music of the Baroque in a three-part series that combined professional mentorship with hands-on learning.
We were thrilled to welcome Music of the Baroque back for the third time since this special collaboration began in 2021. Long recognized as one of the region’s top classical groups, Music of the Baroque’s professional chorus and orchestra is among the leading ensembles in the country devoted to eighteenth-century works. Their Principal Guest Conductor, Nicholas Kraemer, is world-renowned for his expertise in Baroque music—and this fall, he worked directly with our students.
Through this series of workshops, Merit students didn’t just rehearse; they explored a new dimension of their craft. “They’re learning about Baroque performance practice—phrasing, bowings, and how to play that music on modern instruments but in a stylistically authentic way,” says Strings, Orchestras, and Chamber Music Program Director Leah Schuman, noting that many musicians may not encounter historical performance styles like this until they reach college. They also have the rare opportunity to connect with and learn directly from the best Baroque musicians in the world.
The collaboration centered on George Frederic Handel’s Concerto Grosso, Opus 6, No. 7 (HWV 325) and unfolded in three parts:
- November 17: Sectionals Music of the Baroque orchestra principal players coached small groups of students in each sectio, – violin 1 and 2, viola, cello and bass, focusing on the details of Baroque style.
- December 3: Full Rehearsal The full group came together for a side-by-side rehearsal with the principals under the baton of guest conductor Benjamin Firer of Roosevelt University.
- December 16: Final Workshop with Nicholas Kraemer The orchestra put it all together working under the guidance of Maestro Kraemer, gaining invaluable insight into articulation, phrasing, and the character of Baroque music.
Above: Merit Conservatory piano student, Alex L., with the harpsichord.
For Conservatory student Alex L., who studies piano with Dr. Elena Doubovitskaya and has a deep passion for harpsichord, this experience was a dream come true. “I really enjoy Baroque music and find it so intriguing,” he shares. “I like the polyphony—all the independent lines—especially in the music of Handel, Purcell, and Bach.” Alex vividly remembers the last Music of the Baroque workshop his freshman year and couldn’t wait to participate again this time. Alex finds working with Maestro Kraemer a great source of inspiration. “He’s very talented,” he says. “He has a very good imagination in terms of what you can do with a piece, and he’s a great instructor on how to fit the character of the piece.”
Merit is deeply grateful to Music of the Baroque, Maestro Kraemer, and all the guest musicians for sharing their expertise and passion with our students. Opportunities like this give students more than technical skills—they inspire confidence, creativity, and a deeper understanding of musical history.
