The UT Early Music Ensemble “Austinato” promotes historically informed performances of vocal and instrumental works from the Middle Ages to the Classical Era using both period and modern instruments. Founded in the 1980s, the Early Music Ensemble has been revived in 2006. Under the direction of Guido Olivieri “Austinato” has received in 2011 a grant from the prestigious Early Music America organization, has presented to the UT and Austin communities several first modern performances, and collaborated with international institutions and professional groups.
The aim of the ensemble is to familiarize students and audiences with masterpieces and lesser-known music and musicians through a critical study of style and performance practices.
The ensemble is variable in number and involves UT students, faculty, and staff with diverse experience and knowledge of music. The instrumental groups use the ensemble instrument collection including viole da gamba, baroque strings, natural trumpets and horns, baroque bassoon, oboe, and traverso, lute, recorders, early keyboards, krumhorns, shawms, and more.
The realization of historically informed performances is achieved through an extensive work on aspects such as articulation, phrasing, improvisation, that are crucial to the understanding and interpretation of early music.
“Austinato” provides a formative experience that offers opportunities to expand the performance repertory, approach the standard repertory from distinctive perspectives, and develop the awareness of techniques and interpretations that can become part of the performers’ resources. For the realization of these ideals, the ensemble encourages experimentation and collaborations with other divisions and ensembles.
How to join
Participation is open to all UT students, faculty, and staff. Audition is required for non-music majors or for special projects.
When: Monday nights 6-9pm
Where: MRH 6.252.
How to register: open enrollment: MUS 180K (#22460) or ENS 107S (#25875)
What instruments: All instruments and voices; some period instruments available from the school.
Repertory: music from the Middle Ages to 1800.
For more information, please visit the group’s Facebook page or contact Prof. Guido Olivieri.