A review of the Viola da Gamba

August 5, 2026

One night at Camp FaSoLa this year, a singer from NY sat next to me in the alto section and we got to chatting (as you do).

“I’m going to be in your part of the world next month for my other music cult,” she told me after seeing my home town on my name tag. “The viola da gamba.”

Every year, the Viola da Gamba Society of America (VdGSA) hosts a week-long “Conclave” — a gathering of gambists where they play music together, hear lectures, attend workshops, buy and sell instruments and paraphernalia, and just geek out over a love of early modern music.

I had never seen a viola da gamba in the flesh; and seeing the excitement that lit in me, she encouraged me to sign up last minute for Conclave’s beginner class, which was free for locals.

Why not? I love joining music cults.

Instruments I want but would probably rarely play: the story of my life

July 23, 2026

I suffer from an enormous craving to purchase new instruments. I generally don’t give in because I hate spending money; so I wallow in longing for $1000+ (for ensured quality) string instruments in extended games of unrequited love.

It’s always string instruments, because they’re close enough to the violin (or are cousins to the violin) to convince myself I could, in fact, magically play them upon picking one up. An instant connection.

In reality, each of these instruments comes with their own playing style, history, and repertoire that would break the romantic illusion instantly — except for maybe the Pochette.

But such longing doesn’t die easily. I regularly research makers of these instruments and fantasize traveling to places like Sweden or Oregon to pick one up.

Until the inevitable day that I make these purchase, I wanted write up a little love note to each.

First time keying at a convention: an autopsy

July 17, 2026

A week before a recent shape note singing convention in my state, I received an email asking if I could key a session.

Having keyed at our local group for over a year, I knew the ask was inevitable. Still, keying your first convention session is incredibly daunting: 75+ friends, strangers, and mentors waiting eagerly for their starting note every few minutes for nearly an hour. Compared to the usual audience of a dozen locals, some of whom always call their favorites, and others who are just happy you even attempt keying, it feels a long way from home.