FAQs
Concerts & Tickets
What is Piffaro, The Renaissance Band?
Piffaro, The Renaissance Band is a six-member ensemble devoted to performing Renaissance music (from about the years 1400 to 1600) on historical wind instruments. Led by Artistic Director Priscilla Herreid, the ensemble performs on carefully crafted reproductions of shawms, sackbuts, dulcians, recorders, bagpipes, lutes, and percussion.
Where can I see Piffaro perform live?
Piffaro performs a 4-concert season in Philadelphia and Wilmington, DE, as well as touring nationally and internationally. Concerts are often presented at historic churches. Visit the Concerts page for current dates, venues, and ticket links.
Does Piffaro offer livestream or digital performances?
Piffaro streams each concert for a two-week window following each live performance. The concerts are not streamed live in the interest of providing a better sound quality and production value for those watching on their screen.
Are concerts accessible?
Yes. All of Piffaro’s venues are wheelchair accessible. Please leave us a note on your ticket order if you need wheelchair or walker friendly seating. If you have any other accessibility needs please email us at info@piffaro.org.
How can I stay updated about upcoming concerts?
Audience members can join Piffaro’s mailing list to receive concert announcements, season brochures, ticket reminders, and educational program updates. Click here to sign up.
How do I buy tickets to a Piffaro concert?
Tickets for Piffaro concerts can be purchased online through the official website or through presenting venue partners for touring performances. Each concert listing includes a direct ticket link, pricing information, and performance details.
Why does Renaissance music matter today?
Renaissance music matters because it speaks directly to human experience — longing, devotion, celebration, grief, joy. It manages to be both intimate and expansive at the same time. Although the instruments may be unfamiliar, the emotions are immediate.
The music of this era (15th through 17th centuries) is also the foundation of the Western classical tradition. We preserve Renaissance paintings and architecture in museums. The music of the era deserves to be heard with the same care.
What makes Renaissance music different from classical orchestral music?
What we think of today as a “concert” was only a tiny sliver of musical experience in the Renaissance. In the 15th and 16th centuries, music was part of daily life – heard in churches, civic ceremonies, court events, and public gatherings rather than presented as a formal performance.
The instruments you hear with Piffaro, including shawms, sackbuts, and dulcians, were created to fill shared spaces with sound. We usually perform in churches, which were central community spaces in the Renaissance. This reflects how the music was originally experienced: communal, immediate, and woven into everyday life.
Do I need to know a lot about Renaissance music to enjoy a concert?
No. Curiosity is enough.
Many audience members are longtime classical music lovers. Others are simply interested in history, art, or experiencing something new. Piffaro’s concerts are designed to welcome listeners at any level of familiarity.
Are there discounts for students, seniors, or groups?
Piffaro offers free tickets for youth and full-time students with ID. Contact us at info@piffaro.org if you are interested in a group rate. We do not offer a senior discount at this time.
Programs & Repertoire
What kind of music does Piffaro perform?
Piffaro performs Renaissance wind band music from the 15th through 17th centuries. Programs often focus on themes such as courtly celebrations, sacred music, dance music, or specific historical cities.
Who are the musicians of Piffaro?
Piffaro’s musicians are internationally recognized early music specialists who perform on historical wind instruments. The ensemble collaborates regularly with vocalists and guest artists to expand repertoire and programming.
Does Piffaro have recordings available?
Yes. Piffaro has an extensive discography featuring Renaissance repertoire performed on period instruments. Recordings are available for purchase online and through major streaming platforms.
Education & Community
What is Recorder Fest?
Recorder Fest is an annual educational event hosted by Piffaro that brings together recorder players of all levels for workshops, ensemble playing, and performances. It is designed for students, amateur players, enthusiasts of early music, and anyone who loves the recorder. Learn more here.
Does Piffaro offer educational workshops or outreach programs?
Yes. Piffaro provides educational programs for schools, universities, and community groups. These programs introduce audiences to Renaissance instruments, historical performance practice, and early music repertoire through demonstrations and interactive learning.
Support Our Work
Piffaro is a nonprofit sustained by people who love what we do. Your support directly funds performances, education programs, and our growing collection of historic instruments.