If it's not Baroque, don't fix it.

The School of Music's Baroque Ensemble will perform an Easter concert this Sunday in Esber Recital Hall.

Robert Nairn, director of the Baroque Ensemble, said the ensemble usually brings in a guest artist every year, and this year, it is accomplished violinist Stanley Ritchie.

"He's the head of the Early Music Institute in Bloomington in Indiana and probably the most famous abroad American violinist," Nairn said. "He is a major music figure and is literally [featured] on hundreds of CDs."

Nairn said Ritchie will be soloing in the ensemble's performance of "Spring" and "Summer" from Vivaldi's Four Seasons. Another piece that will be included in the concert will be "Gloria" by Handel.

"['Gloria'] was discovered in 2001 in London," Nairn said.

When the piece was found, it was thought to be one almost exactly like Handel's "Messiah," he said.

"It is a deeply religious piece," he said.

All of the pieces in the concert are from the Baroque period, which is considered to be pre-1750, Nairn said.

What makes the ensemble so authentic is its use of Baroque bows, a low pitch, and the use of harpsichord and Baroque flute, he said.

Nairn said this Baroque ensemble gives undergraduate and graduate students special opportunities to play side by side with outstanding artists such as Ritchie.

"This provides students with musical opportunities, like the chance to play with faculty and some really world-class artists," Nairn said.

The ensemble has been preparing for the concert since the start of the semester, but the members have not had a chance to practice with Ritchie until today.

Performer Maureen Conlon Gutierrez (graduate-violin performance) said that once Ritchie arrives, the rehearsal schedule will be very rigorous.

"It's going to be very busy," Gutierrez said. "Thursday, we will have master classes with [Ritchie]. Friday, we will hold a five-hour rehearsal, and Saturday, we will have six hours total of rehearsal. On Sunday, we'll have a two-hour rehearsal before the concert. It is very, very intense, but it will be the last concert of the year."

The intense practice schedule leading up to the show will be hard on the students, but they will be rewarded well after their performance is completed, Nairn said.

"We had to promise to bring in some chocolate eggs for them," Nairn said.

Nairn said he promises that this concert will be very beautiful and worth coming to see.

"It's not traditional Easter, but very beautiful," Nairn said. "The pieces reflect different styles, and I think it will be a nice way to spend an Easter afternoon."

Melissa Chavez (graduate-voice performance and pedagogy) is a soprano singer who will be performing with the Baroque Ensemble for the first time and said she is very excited about her premiere with the group as they play on Easter Sunday. Chavez said she will be performing a solo for the much-talked-about piece "Gloria" and that it is a perfect piece for the occasion.

"['Gloria'] was incredibly difficult to learn; I love singing it," Chavez said. "The music is glorious. I feel honored to sing this. It's really exciting to hear. The 'Gloria' is really beautiful for Easter. It's a good fit."

Gutierrez said she has been playing the violin for 16 years and has been involved with the Baroque Ensemble since fall 2004.

"Nairn recruited me the first week I was here," Gutierrez said. "He saw me play and thought I'd be a good match."

As a violinist, Gutierrez said she is excited to be working and performing with such a world- renowned violinist as Ritchie.

"I think it is just a really great opportunity to work with a specialist in the field firsthand, with period instruments and stylistically," Gutierrez said. "Especially as a violinist, I'm very excited."