Barbara Thornton Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship is given by Early Music America to an outstanding and highly motivated (and possibly unconventional) young performer of medieval music who seeks to widen his/her experience through more advanced study and/or auditions in Europe.  The recipient is chosen by a jury of musicians who knew or worked with the great medieval music specialist and teacher, Barbara Thornton (1950-1998), who came to Europe from New York in 1970, filled with plans to study early music, and went on to co-found the medieval music ensemble Sequentia with Benjamin Bagby in 1977.

The 2019 application period is closed. Please check back for updates in January 2021.

2019 Recipient: Karin Weston

Karin Weston

Karin Weston will attend a summer course with Micrologus in Spello, Italy, and will also pursue study of the Occitan language in southern France.

“It was clear to the jury,” said Benjamin Bagby, “that Karin’s plan to pursue more specific and advanced study in Italy and France in 2019 would be exactly the sort of project that this award was designed to facilitate. Just as Barbara Thornton had spent several youthful summers pursuing similar goals for study in France and Italy, more than 50 years ago, we feel strongly that this is the perfect moment for Karin to expand her studies into the European scene, and we are pleased that this award will help her to realize these goals.

“This scholarship facilitates opportunities for me to learn from musicians whose approaches to medieval song I find inspiring,” said Karin, “and allows me to study the Occitan language and pronunciation amongst native speakers in ways that will inform my singing of troubadour song. I look forward to growing as a medieval musician and scholar, and to applying what I learn over this summer in my future work with my colleagues in Trobár.”

Karin founded Trobár with Allison Monroe and Elena Mullins three years ago. They have performed in Cleveland, Cincinnati, Washington D.C., and New York, and have held residencies at Avaloch Farm and the University of Louisville.

Karin has a MA in Historical Performance Practice from Case Western Reserve University and a BA in Molecular Biology and Music (Vocal Performance) from Scripps College.