Pegasus Early Music and NYS Baroque are two organizations that celebrate and perform music ranging from Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque times (early music) across Syracuse, Ithaca, and Rochester. The organizations have announced a John Dowland Festival scheduled for February 2026.

Both Pegasus Early Music and NYS Baroque are organizations that are well-known and celebrated throughout Western and Central NY for their early music performances. Pegasus Early Music is a concert organization in parallel with NYS Baroque. Pegasus was founded in 2005 and is now celebrating 21 years.

Pegasus Early Music presents an annual series of concerts, which highlight music that ranges from over 400 years, from medieval to romantic times. The music is additionally played on period instruments. Pegasus events are known to include special opportunities for interactions between performances and the audience through their pre-concert talks and demonstrations, truly bringing early music to life.

NYS Baroque, a concert organization alongside Pegasus, is now celebrating 37 years. NYS Baroque performs a range of music from the Renaissance, Baroque, and early classical periods, on period instruments.

NYS Baroque is also celebrating its 21st anniversary. They perform music from the Renaissance, Baroque, and early classical period, on period instruments, typically offering a subscription concert series of performances throughout Ithaca and Syracuse.

This February, the two organizations are offering a John Dowland Festival featuring performances throughout Syracuse, Ithaca, and Rochester.

The festival is held in two parts as it celebrates the 400th anniversary of the death of John Dowland in February 1626.

The first part of the festival is held Feb 6-8 and features music by John Dowland for 4 voices, two lutes, and gamba, as well as two commissioned works by Jonathan Dowland. The Series of Part One will begin at 7:30 pm, Friday, Feb 6, at the Pebble Hill Presbyterian Church in Syracuse. The following Saturday at 7:30 pm, a performance will be held at the First Unitarian Society of Ithaca. Finally, to finish off the weekend, Sunday, Feb 8, at 4 pm, a concert will be held at the Downtown United Presbyterian Church in Rochester. Each concert will include a pre-concert talk beginning 45 minutes before the concert commences.

Part II of the programming, from February 20 to 22nd, includes a lute recital of John Dowland’s music by Jonathan Paul O’Dette. O’Dette is a well-known lute celebrity from Rochester. Part II will commence on Friday, Feb 20, at 7:30 pm at the Pebble Hill Presbyterian Church in Syracuse. Followed by a performance on Feb 21st, at 7:30 pm, at the First Unitarian Society of Ithaca. Ending with a performance on Feb 22nd at 4pm at the Downtown United Presbyterian Church in Rochester.

Tickets and more information can be found on the Pegasus Early Music or NYS Baroque websites. In addition, a specific itinerary of the festival may be found below.

Part I: Songs Old and New

Newly commissioned works written by composer Jonathan Woody for lute, gamba and vocal ensemble alongside perfect Dowland gems

Friday, Feb 6, 7:30pm (pre-concert talk at 6:45pm) More info

Pebble Hill Presbyterian Church, 5299 Jamesville Road, Syracuse

Saturday, Feb 7, 7:30pm (pre-concert talk at 6:45pm) More info

First Unitarian Society of Ithaca, 306 North Aurora Street, Ithaca

Sunday, Feb 8, 4pm (pre-concert talk at 3:15pm) More info

Downtown United Presbyterian Church, Rochester

Part II: Paul O’Dette, Lute Recital

A spellbinding recital performed by world-renowned lutenist and Dowland specialist, Paul O’Dette

Music Festivals in CNY & WNY Celebrate John Dowland in February