Guido’s Band

History of Guido’s Band

The Early Music Ensemble at Bowling Green State University’s College of Musical Arts was founded in 1968 by Professor Oliver Chamberlain. Other directors have been Professors Vincent Corrigan (1973–1982) and Richard James (1982–1991). In 1991, Professor Mary Natvig took over as director of the group and in 1994 the instrumental group was named Guido’s Band. (As every music history student knows, the name is a pun on the famous “Guido’s Hand,” a mnemonic device supposedly promoted by the 11th-century music theorist, Guido of Arezzo.)

Instruments

BGSU has an extensive collection of early instruments available to students in Guido’s Band:

• Numerous recorders (including a consort of Renaissance recorders)
• Baroque flute (in F)
• Two lutes
• Renaissance bows (two violins, viola, cello)
• Baroque bows (two violins, cello)
• Vielle
• Viols (treble, tenor, two basses)
• Two cornetti
• Shawms (soprano, alto, tenor)
• Tenor dulcien
• Crumhorns (soprano, alto, tenor, bass)
• Sackbuts (two tenors, bass, alto in F)
• Portativ organ