K-State Early Music
The School of Music, Theatre, and Dance is recognizes the importance of offering the study early music and historical performance practice both to K-State music students and students throughout the university. Through our academic and performance opportunities, students are exposed to a variety of musical periods and styles.
*NEW* Historical Performance Practice Undergraduate Certificate
Beginning Fall 2025, the K-State School of Music, Theatre, and Dance will offer a new 12 credit hour Certificate in Historical Performance Practice. This certificate provides students with a working knowledge of performance practice including understanding and performing from early music notation and practical training about and on a variety of historical instruments in solo and ensemble settings.
Introduction to Historical Performance Practice (MUSIC 727) 3 credits
Studies the changing performance styles in music from the Middle Ages to the 18th century. Examines problems in the field of historical performance practices. Interpretation of musical performances (ornamentation, articulation, tuning, temperament, rhythmic elements, and tempo) based on contemporaneous sources. Students will perform short selections and prepare musical editions based on their findings.
Ensembles
The Early-Music Ensembles are comprised of music majors, minors, and non-majors who enjoy and want to learn more about music from the 18th century and before. This includes music of the Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque, and Classical music periods (c.1100-1750). Participation is required for students in the Historical Performance Practice Undergraduate Certificate.
To learn more about invovlement in the Early Music Ensemble or auditions (where necessary), contact Prof. David Simmons Wood.
Collegium Musicum Early Music Ensemble
Mon/Wed/Fri 12:30-1:20pm
Kirmser Hall (204 McCain Auditorium)
MUSIC490A/841A, 0-1 Credit, No audition required
Singers and instrumentalists welcome. Rehearsal schedule is flexible.
K-State's longest standing early-music ensemble, Collegium Musicum was started by Dr. Robert Edwards, Professor Emeritus of Keyboard, in 1975. Collegium Musicum is a vocal and instrumental ensemble devoted to the historically-informed performance of music written during the Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque periods (c. 1100-1750.) Instruments of the historical period used when possible.
This ensemble performs as a full group and in various small ensemble configurations. Rehearsal schedules vary week-to-week based on which parts of the ensemble need to rehearse. Most weeks, not every member is required all three days. Please contact davidwood@ksu.edu with questions about schedules, conflicts, or anything else.
Madrigal & Motet Ensemble
Fridays 1:30-2:20pm plus one additional hour a week detemined each semester (Mondays 12:30-1:30pm, Fall 2025)
Kirmser Hall (204 McCain Auditorium)
MUSIC119A 0-1 Credit, Audition required. Contact davidwood@ksu.edu
Madrigal & Motet Ensemble (MaMo) is K-State's select, mixed-voice ensemble specializing in one-on-a-part performance of repertoire from the Middle Ages and Renaissance. This ensemble ranges in size from 3-10.
Recorder Ensemble
Tuesday, 6:30-8pm (Fall 2025)
101 McCain Auditorium
MUSIC120A, 0-1 Credit, Permission required.
The Recorder Ensemble (aka Recorder Rebels) was established in Fall 2016 and performs music from all eras with a variety of recorder types and sizes from the K-State period instrument collection. Open to players with prior recorder or woodwind experience. Contact davidwood@ksu.edu about joining.
Recorder Rebels First Mates
Time TBD
MUSIC120B, 0-1 Credit, Instructor permission required (no audition).
Recorder Rebels First Mates is where beginning recorder players can get their feet wet and and have some fun learning the ins and outs of playing the instrument.
Period Instrument Collection
K-State is fortunate to possess a variety of replica instruments representing the Medieval through Baroque periods. These instruments are available to K-State students and are also used in performances by the Early-Music Ensembles. To learn about accessing period instruments, please contact Mr. David Simmons Wood.
Current collection includes:
- Baroque and Renaissance Recorder (garklein, sopranino, soprano, alto, tenor, bass, and great bass)
- Baroque Flute
- Baroque Violin
- Baroque Cello
- Cornetti and Cornettino
- Crumhorn (soprano, alto, tenor, and bass)
- Gothic Harp
- Double-Manual French Harpsichord
- Positive Organ
- Rebec (tenor)
- Renaissance Guitar
- Renaissance Lute (9-course)
- Vielle
- Viola da Gamba (treble, tenor, and bass)
Directors
2014-present: David Simmons Wood
2009-2014: Thomas Bell
1998-2009: Bruce Gbur
1976-1998: Sara Funkhouser
1975-1976: Robert Edwards