Songs of the Ancient Mariners

Margo Andrea ~ mezzo-soprano & vielle
Carlo Valte ~ oud
Rex Benincasa ~ percussion, tenor & psaltery
Jason Priset ~ lute, guitar & vihuela

What melodies would have been heard while sailing into ports of the ancient Mediterranean?

From medieval music of Iberia south through North Africa, the west winds blow to the shores of Cyprus and Asia Minor. Braving back through Greece, Italy and France, our musical journey now lands us in Renaissance Spain, where new explorers now traverse the globe!

ALBA CONSORT bridges the ancient to the present, performing early and modern music on period instruments with acclaimed performances including University of Chicago Presents, Academy of Early Music, CUNY.TV, Long Island Baroque Ensemble, GEMS Midtown Concerts, WQXR radio, World and Early Music Lancaster, Hofstra University, the “New World Initiative” in the New York Philharmonic’s 175th Anniversary, and Early Music Now.

Faculty Recital in the Cali School of Music at Montclair State University featuring Peter Stewart, Lori McCann and Jason Priset.

Autumn Harmony · Year Three: Gathering Again in Autumn

Presented by the Chinese Musicians Association of North America (CMA-NA), Sound of Harvest 2026 will take place on September 12 at the Rutgers University Nicholas Music Center and on September 13 at the Montclair State University Memorial Auditorium.

For three consecutive years, this autumn musical celebration has brought together musicians across different cultures, musical traditions, and generations onto a single stage. 

First Half | From Dunhuang to the Silk Road 

Second Half | From Cross-Cultural Traditions to the Latin World 

Autumn Harmony · Year Three: Gathering Again in Autumn

Presented by the Chinese Musicians Association of North America (CMA-NA), Sound of Harvest 2026 will take place on September 12 at the Rutgers University Nicholas Music Center and on September 13 at the Montclair State University Memorial Auditorium.

For three consecutive years, this autumn musical celebration has brought together musicians across different cultures, musical traditions, and generations onto a single stage. 

First Half | From Dunhuang to the Silk Road 

Second Half | From Cross-Cultural Traditions to the Latin World 

Oberlin Community Music School presents a Faculty and Guest Artist Recital

of Renaissance lute songs and traditional songs from Spain

Lutany, Love Songs, and Laments

Eileen Marie Moore, soprano
Jason Priset, lute and guitar

Featuring music by John Dowland, Thomas Campion, Fernando Sor,

Johann Kaspar Mertz, and Federico García Lorca

Sunday, June 28, 2026, at 2:00 PM
First United Methodist Church, Oberlin, Ohio
Free will offering

ALBA CONSORT ~ The Nightingale Sings

ALBA Consort traces the journey of the Nightingale, with ancient music from its flight through Spain to southern Europe, North Africa and over the Caucasus to Persia, and performs Four Persian Mystic Poems by composer Reza Vali.

Margo Andrea ~ mezzo soprano & vielle Rex Benincasa ~ voice and percussion

Jason Priset ~ lute and guitars

Carlo Valte ~ oud and guitar

Karen Lindquist ~ harps

Come join Jason Priset (guitar and lute) and Ereni Sevasti (vocals and dulcimer) for a special afternoon of music at the Bellport United Methodist Church on Saturday May 30th at 3PM. The concert will feature solo lute and guitar music by Francesco da Milano (“il Divino”) and the virtuoso 19th century guitarist J.K. Mertz. And Ereni and Jason will also explore the lute songs of John Dowland (including his famous “Flow My Tears”, based on Dowland’s original Lachrimae); Spanish seguidillas by Fernando Sor; and songs by the great singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell, including some of the finest compositions from her album “Blue”.

The evening begins at 5:00 PM with a social reception featuring seasonal light appetizers by Terra House.

At 6:00 PM, we'll start our concert with a solo performance by Dr. Jason Priset on lute, Baroque guitar, and 19th century guitar. His opening set will feature historical pieces from early musical traditions, offering a rich and transportive experience.

Following the first set, enjoy an intermission with house-made desserts, coffee, and tea.

The second half shifts to a lighter, more contemporary program as Jason is joined by John Neidrauer on guitar, along with special guests, performing a blend of modern selections and original pieces.​

Eileen Marie Moore, soprano
Jason Priset, lute and guitar

Featuring music by John Dowland, Thomas Campion, Fernando Sor,Johann Kaspar Mertz, and Federico García Lorca

A Tribute to Bayard Rustin

This tribute, presented by baritone and Wagner College professor Anthony Turner, honors an icon of the Civil Rights era.  Bayard Rustin was a strategist, pacifist, and key advisor to Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. who organized the landmark 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.  Bayard Rustin was also an accomplished singer.  Representative songs include the works of Margaret Bonds, Henry Purcell, John Dowland, Leo Edwards, Hall Johnson, and Ana Hernandez.  Mr. Turner will be joined by Ok Kyun Kang, piano, Jason Priset, guitar, and Anthony Donovan, harmonica.  The concert takes place on Thursday, March 26, 2026 at 7 o’clock pm on the Wagner College campus in the Music Performance Center – 631 Howard Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10301 and is free and open to the public.

ALBA Consort - Romance of the Rose
March 7, 2026, 5:00 p.m.
St. Paul's Episcopal Church (914 E. Knapp St.)

The rose — a cross-cultural symbol of earthly and divine love — is central to this program of Medieval and Renaissance music and poetry from Europe, Cyprus, North Africa, and Persia. A piece written for the ensemble by Reza Vali, with traditional tuning and bold rhythms, connects the ancient to the present. 

https://www.earlymusicnow.org/this-season/

The annual Baroque Faculty Concert presented by Montclair State University. The concert will feature solo and ensemble music by current faculty of the University.

FREE Concerts every third Wednesday of the month at Emanuel Lutheran Church in Pleasantville, NY
12-12:30pm

https://www.noontime-at-emanuel.com

ALBA Consort

Margo Andrea:  mezzo-soprano, vielle
Rex Benincasa:  percussion, psaltery, hurdy- gurdy, tenor 
Jason Priset:  lute, guitar, vihuela
Carlo Valte:  oud         

Dr. Jason Priset will lead the Bergen County Recorder Society with music by the great Renaissance composer John Dowland.

Handel’s Messiah returns to Park Slope in a soaring performance by the Brooklyn Chamber Orchestra with the Grace Chorale of Brooklyn. Set in the historic First Old Reformed Church, this beloved holiday tradition brings together orchestra, choir, and soloists for a stirring evening of music that has inspired audiences for centuries.

https://brooklynchamberorchestra.org/concerts/messiah-2/

The Brooklyn Chamber Orchestra directed by Philip Nuzzo

Experience the majesty of Handel’s Messiah in the awe-inspiring setting of St. Ann & the Holy Trinity Church. The Brooklyn Chamber Orchestra and the Grace Chorale of Brooklyn join forces to present this timeless masterpiece, filling the landmark Gothic Revival space with music of hope, joy, and triumph.

https://brooklynchamberorchestra.org/concerts/messiah/

Brooklyn Chamber Orchestra directed by Philip Nuzzo

The end of semester performance for the Guitar Studio at Montclair State University featuring students of the Cali School of Music

WELCOME YULTIDE with ALBA Consort
Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque Christmas Music
Margo Andrea:  mezzo-soprano, vielle
Rex Benincasa:  percussion, psaltery, hurdy- gurdy, tenor 
Jason Priset:  lute, guitar, vihuela
Carlo Valte:  oud   

Cali Midweek Series: Collegium Musicum "A Lieta Vita" Directed by Dr. Hsuan-Wen Chen Assisted by Dr. Jason Priset

https://youtu.be/A_WO6xd1myc?si=4xFG5OXV_nrweWhR

Join the musicians of Silentwoods Collective on the lawn of the Dyckman Farmhouse Museum for “Echoes Across the Pond”, an hour-long performance featuring lively traditional New England fiddle music and early country dances led by expert violinist and master fiddler, Jimmy Drancsak and performed on 18th century period instruments.

https://dyckmanfarmhouse.org/event/backporch-concert-echoes-across-the-pond-with-silentwoods-collective/

https://www.facebook.com/silentwoodscollective/posts/pfbid02BTNLFcsB4W1HTSeaSsqoCC8ednRtt7h8CeSxvbbCn3NM1Ljx2YpwRuMD5RaXQiesl

Program to be announced soon, stay tuned!

Featuring:

Margo Andrea, mezzo-soprane and vielle

Rex Benincasa, voice and percussion

Karen Lindquist, renaissance and modern harp

Jason Priset, renaissance lute and baroque guitar

Carlo Valte, oud and guitar