Boston Baroque Launches Social Media-Based Ornament Challenge

The player who posts the most convincing interpretation of an ornament from the ensemble's free Resource Library will be flown to Boston for a private coaching with Music Director Martin Pearlman

Boston Baroque is opening a new social-media based competition for its audiences. Titled the Ornaments Challenge, the competition challenges the orchestra's listeners to post a video of themselves performing any of the example ornaments available on the ensemble's website.

The challenge is presented in partnership with Early Music America, and is designed to spread the word about the many items of interest available in the Boston Baroque Resource Library. Anyone can peruse the library's program notes, ornaments, performance editions, critical editions, orchestration charts, and more — totally free of charge.

The grand winner of the Ornament Challenge will receive the opportunity to travel to Boston in October 2023, where they will receive a private coaching from the ensemble's Music Director, Martin Pearlman. They will also be afforded a free entry pass to the 2023 Early Music America Summit, and a travel stipend.

The contest is open for the entirety of the month of July, and you can find out more here.

The first permanent period-instrument orchestra in North America, Boston Baroque has seen an explosion in popularity since it invested in digital content during the pandemic. The group has more than doubled its audience numbers, and as a result has been able to dispense with its traditional subscription model entirely.

"That there was demand from an audience larger than what we could offer in a physical concert hall was just groundbreaking and absolutely would have never happened without COVID," said Emily Weddle, Boston Baroque's director of marketing.