Business Details
46 Years
experience
Experience Renaissance Music with Piffaro The Renaissance Band in Philadelphia
Piffaro The Renaissance Band, The Renaissance Band was founded in 1980 by Joan Kimball and Bob Wiemken to bring historically informed performances of late Medieval, Renaissance, and early Baroque music to life. Our ensemble specializes in recreating the sounds of the 15th to 17th centuries using meticulously crafted period instruments like shawms, sackbuts, and dulcians. With over four decades of experience, we combine rigorous academic research with artistic excellence to educate audiences about historical performance practices and cultural contexts.Our international touring, educational outreach programs, and 18 critically acclaimed recordingsincluding collaborations with Deutsche Grammophondemonstrate our commitment to preserving and innovating early music traditions. Recognized with prestigious awards from Early Music America and the American Recorder Society, we continue to expand access through virtual concerts and community initiatives like Philadelphia Recorder Fest.
Services
Concert Performances
Online Streaming
Instrument Demonstrations
Educational Workshops
Community Outreach
Details
- Year established: 1980
Highlights and features
- We offer 45+ years of expertise in historical performance practices
- Our educational programs have received national awards from Early Music America
- We maintain an extensive collection of authentic Renaissance instruments
- Our international touring spans four continents and 40+ years
- We provide accessible virtual concert experiences with technical support
What people say
Historically accurate
Engaging educational programs
Award-winning ensemble
Services
Concert Performances
Piffaro The Renaissance Band presents historically informed concerts featuring Renaissance and Baroque music. Our performances use authentic instruments and period performance practices to recreate the sounds of 15th-17th century Europe. Audiences experience music as it was originally heard in civic, court, and chapel settings.
Online Streaming
Access our performances through high-quality streaming with 2-week viewing windows. Technical support ensures optimal audio/video quality for home viewing. Programs include behind-the-scenes instrument insights and curated historical context for digital audiences.
Educational Workshops
We offer instrument masterclasses, historical performance workshops, and school residencies. Programs cater to amateurs, professionals, and students through hands-on learning about Renaissance music traditions, instrument construction, and cultural history.
Community Outreach
Philadelphia Recorder Fest and other initiatives engage diverse audiences through community play-ins, lectures, and accessible performances. These programs connect modern listeners with historical music through participatory experiences for all skill levels.
Recording Projects
Our 18 professional recordings preserve Renaissance music traditions. Collaborations with labels like Deutsche Grammophon showcase our research-based interpretations. Recordings serve as educational resources and permanent documentation of historical performance practices.
People
Joan Kimball
Co-Founder
Co-founded Piffaro The Renaissance Band in 1980 with Bob Wiemken. Recipient of Early Music America's Howard Mayer Brown Award for lifetime achievement in early music. Pioneered authentic Renaissance performance practices in North America.
Bob Wiemken
Co-Founder
Co-founder with 40+ years of experience in historical instrument reconstruction and performance. Shared Howard Mayer Brown Award with Kimball. Developed Piffaro The Renaissance Band's extensive instrument collection used in educational and performance settings.
Priscilla Herreid
Artistic Director
Current artistic director since 2015. Award-winning early music specialist with expertise in Renaissance performance practices. Leads educational initiatives and international touring programs while maintaining scholarly research standards.
Questions
What instruments does Piffaro The Renaissance Band use in performances?
We play period-accurate instruments including shawms, sackbuts, dulcians, recorders, and Renaissance percussion.
Can I watch concerts online?
Yes, our virtual concerts are available via streaming with technical support for optimal viewing.
Do you offer educational programs for schools?
We provide workshops, masterclasses, and residencies for students from elementary to university levels.
How can I support Piffaro The Renaissance Band's mission?
Your tax-deductible donations help preserve early music traditions through performances and educational outreach.
What repertoire does Piffaro The Renaissance Band perform?
We specialize in late Medieval, Renaissance, and early Baroque music from 1450-1650.
