| Date | Event |
| 10/3/2024 | Don't miss this second of our fall monthly meetings with Karen Epp -- she led our September meeting and will lead our November meeting. Miss the September meeting? No worries! You will be fine and will learn a lot. Attended the September meeting? Come join us and deepen your knowledge and playing ability. We will explore a potpourri of renaissance ensemble music, all based on the popular "The Leaves be Green" melody. For each of these sessions, Karen will lead us in effective warm-ups, strategies to deal with the challenging rhythms of renaissance music, and solid ensemble interpretation of scores by Henry Stoner, Clement Woodcock, and William Byrd. more info... |
| 10/5/2024 -11/30/2024 | Transform your musical abilities with this engaging eight-week online course designed to enhance your play-by-ear skills. Whether you read music or not, mastering this skill allows you to connect more deeply with your music, freeing you from the page and empowering you to improvise, ornament, and recover if you get lost. In this course, you’ll learn to discern note relationships, recognize patterns, and understand cadences, all while building skills in improvisation and phrasing. Starting with simple children’s songs and advancing to pieces by Bach and Mozart, you’ll train your ear to "hear" the music in your head, making you a more versatile and intuitive recorder player. Join me to discover the freedom of playing by ear! For a full course description and to register, click here. more info... |
| 10/5/2024 | Have you ever wanted to learn how to trill properly, with confidence and musical aplomb? In this workshop we will tackle a whole range of trills in different musical styles, with plenty of playing and practical application. Learn the ropes for baroque trills, from the stylistic language to some choice cheat fingerings. And how can trills be used in other styles of music? We'll look at earlier centuries, rhythmic and folky trills, and even some contemporary trills. Get those fingers warmed up and join in! Open to: recorder players, all levels. Pitch: A=440Hz. more info... |
| 10/6/2024 | Montclair Early Music is proud to present a Halloween-themed concert on October 6th at the Montclair Library. One of the songs you can expect to hear will be The Three Ravens. The Three Ravens is an old English folk ballad first published in 1611 in the songbook Melismata, compiled by Thomas Ravenscroft. However, the song is believed to have much older origins. The ballad introduces three scavenger birds conversing about where and what they should eat. One tells the others of a newly slain knight in sight, from which they might make a meal, but they find he is guarded by his loyal hawks and hounds. Near the end, we are told of an approaching "fallow doe," a metaphor for the knight's pregnant lover, who comes to his body, kisses his wounds, bears him away, and buries him, leaving the ravens without a meal. To hear this tale, and other haunting tunes, join us on October 6 for a special concert presentation at the Montclair Library. The event is free but registration is requested: https://montclairlibrary.libnet.info/event/11759285 We hope to see you there: 50 South Fullerton Ave, Montclair, 3:30-4:30, Sunday, October 6. Accessible. Artwork: "The Three Ravens" Edward Frederick Brewtnall (1846-1902) more info... |
| 10/15/2024 -10/24/2024 |  ARS introduces a Free Online Beginners’ Course! Lay a solid foundation for learning to play the alto recorder for your own enjoyment or for making music with others! In this four-session Zoom course beginning October 15, we'll cover fundamentals of recorder technique like finger technique, breathing, blowing, and tonguing, emphasizing knowledge that will help you continue to make progress after the course is over. Whether you've never played before or it's been forever since you've picked up an instrument, now is the time to develop good habits and begin to make music! Professional recorder teacher and performer Tish Berlin will lead you through this course and help you build good recorder technique from the start. Dates: Tuesday, October 15, 6:15 p.m. EDT (5:15 p.m. CDT, 4:15 p.m. MDT, 3:15 p.m. PDT) Thursday, October 17, 6:15 pm. EDT (5:15 p.m. CDT, 4:15 p.m. MDT, 3:15 p.m. PDT) Tuesday, October 22, 6:15 p.m. EDT (5:15 p.m. CDT, 4:15 p.m. MDT, 3:15 p.m. PDT) Thursday, October 24, 6:15 p.m. EDT (5:15 p.m. CDT, 4:15 p.m. MDT, 3:15 p.m. PDT) For this course, you will need the Sweet Pipes Recorder Book and an alto recorder. If you don’t already have a recorder, Tish recommends the Yamaha plastic alto (any of the 300 series: YRS-302B, YRA-322B, etc). If you have an older recorder please make sure it uses English (Baroque) fingering, not German. If the 4th hole on the top of the recorder is larger than the 5th hole, you have a German recorder. We will be using English (Baroque) fingering so it will be easier for you if you have a recorder with that fingering. Consider purchasing your book and recorder from one of our business partners (below), and please allow ample time for mail delivery! If you have purchased the Sweet Pipes Recorder book online but are concerned that you may not receive it in time for your first class, we can provide you with a "temporary" copy for download. Instructions will be in your emailed registration confirmation notice. Von Huene Workshop (The Early Music Shop of New England) Yamaha "Rottenburgh" alto recorder https://www.vonhuene.com/p-115-yamaha-rottenburgh-plastic-alto.aspx Aulos "Haka" alto recorder https://www.vonhuene.com/p-126-aulos-plastic-haka-alto.aspx Zen-on "Bressan" alto recorder https://www.vonhuene.com/p-6331-zen-on-g1-a-440-bressan-alto-recorder.aspx Sweet Pipes Recorder Book https://www.vonhuene.com/p-3689-burakoff-gerald-hettrick-sweet-pipes-recorder-book-book-1-adults-and-older-beginners.aspx Honeysuckle Music Alto recorders https://honeysucklemusic.com/show3.php?cat=Alto Sweet Pipes Recorder Book https://honeysucklemusic.com/showf.php?item=5289 Lazar's Early Music Yamaha "Rottenburgh" alto recorder https://lazarsearlymusic.com/collections/recorders/products/yamaha-abs-resin-recorder-alto?variant=29092748591186 Recorderforge.com Alto recorders https://recorderforge.com/Recorders/F-alto-treble-recorders/ Information for ordering the method book: The Sweet Pipes Recorder Book: A method for adults and older beginners by Gerald Burakoff and William E. Hettrick. Alto, Book One. SP02318. more info... |
| 10/15/2024 | The Old Avoca Schoolhouse in Avoca, Nebraska will be streaming three on line Wedding Fiddling Tunes for Two Workshops for violins, violas, cellos, basses, mandolins, and soprano recorder. The 38 classical and traditional fiddling tunes in this collection are organized in the order of the festivities at a traditional wedding. This comes in handy when selecting songs with the bride-to-be, and when it’s time to play. Helpful hints to help ease your way are scattered throughout the book. The Workshops will be on Tuesday, October 15, 7 PM, Central Time, Wednesday, October 16, 10 AM, Central Time, and Friday, October 18, 7 PM, Central Time. Different tunes will be played at each session. We will read, play, and discuss various survival skills for these charming pieces. A treble clef version of the sheet music for the tunes being played will be displayed on the screen during the workshop. There is limited enrollment, and pre-registration is required. The cost for each workshop is $10.00. The cost of each optional book is $15.00 (includes shipping if ordered with workshop registration). To read reviews of the Wedding Fiddling Tunes for Two collection, click on the following link: https://www.greenblattandseay.com/book_42_wedding.shtml For more information, and to register for the workshop: https://www.greenblattandseay.com/workshops_wedding.shtml more info... |
| 10/19/2024 | Our Next Meeting Our next meeting will be Saturday, October 19, 2024 (Playing session in person and on Zoom). Please sign in at 9:45 and set up so that play can begin promptly at 10:00 AM. We play at Cathedral Village. Visitors are welcome. The Zoom meeting will open at 9:30 AM and we'll start playing at 10 AM. Members will receive a Zoom link via email, usually one day before we meet. Information for October 19, 2024: Fall Colors Amboss Polka (1864/2024), Albert Parlow (1824-1888), arr. John Kraybill, Sn/S/A/T/B/GB Fughetta (1972), Frank Shirley, S/A/B Quand la Mer Rough Apparut - through the ages (2023), Helen-Jean Talbott, S/A/T/B/GB/Cb My Lord, What A Morning (2024), Traditional Spiritual, arr. Joe Powell, S/A/T/B Down by the Salley Garden (2024), Traditional Irish, arr. Richard Senerchia, S/A/T/B & Viola/Guitar Ashokan Farewell (1982/2024), Jay Unger, arr. Richard Senerchia, S/A/T/B & Viola/Guitar Poinciana Rag (1995), Laurie G. Alberts, S/A/T/B more info... |
| 10/19/2024 | Led by Carol Mishler, this meeting will be a great opportunity to learn what ARS has been up to in the past year. ARS members may be wondering where the organization is putting its focus. How does the ARS plan to maintain and build on the progress made in the past couple of years? The Annual Meeting addresses questions such as these and offers a question and answer session between members and the ARS Board. To add an agenda item, email Administrative Director Susan Burns at director@americanrecorder.org. Sign up to receive a link to attend the ARS Annual Meeting, held this year via Zoom, on Saturday, October 19, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. EDT. You will receive a link to the Zoom meeting, both in your confirmation email and in a reminder email a few days in advance. When asked for your email address, be sure to use the email address associated with your ARS member record (where ARS membership renewal invoices are sent). more info... |
| 10/20/2024 | Join the dynamic Betty McBurney for an afternoon of renaissance and baroque music, focusing on the challenges & delights of ornamentation. Using scores of composers such as Cristoforo Malvezzi, Johann Sebastian Bach, and Georg Frideric Handel, Betty will explore the art of embellishing the music within the constraints of the musical conventions of the eras. For added fun, Betty will introduce us to a bit of improvisation as well. more info... |
| 10/20/2024 | “Practice your scales - what are they, and how can we use them?” You might have heard the phrase “Practice your scales” with the same tone of voice as “Eat your spinach” - it’s (supposedly) good for you! But what exactly are scales, and how can we use them to our advantage in becoming better musicians? This workshop will offer a mix of theory and practice: we will go over the theoretical building blocks for musical scales, what different types of scales exist, and how they relate to each other. We will also practice some of these different ascending and descending patterns and find ways to work with changes of articulation and tempo for increased dexterity and ever-smoother technique. Be prepared to switch between C- and F-instruments for a full-scale workout! (Equally open to players who play only one or the other!) more info... |
| 10/25/2024 -10/27/2024 | Voices of Music opens our 2024-24 season in October with Seicento: Italian music of the 17th century, a delightful program highlighting women composers and poets of the time, with music by Isabelle Leonarda, Francesca and Giulio Caccini, Allesandro Scarlatti, Barbara Strozzi, and others. Friday, October 25th, 2024, 7pm Saturday, October 26th, 2024, 7:30pm Sunday, October 27th, 2024, 7pm Live performances by Voices of Music deliver the highest-quality music, blending innovation, originality, and passion to introduce diverse audiences to the world of early classical music. For more information, go to VoicesOfMusic.ORG more info... |
| 10/26/2024 -10/27/2024 | A workshop dedicated to recorder players! October 26-27, 2024 Ella Baker School New York, NY Directed by Valerie Horst and Wendy Powers Faculty: Valerie Horst (Recorder) Rachel Begley (Recorder) Deborah Booth (Recorder & Flute) Eric Haas (Recorder & Flute) Susan Iadone (Recorder) Wendy Powers (Recorder & Early Notation) Sian Ricketts (Recorder) Nina Stern (Recorder) Tuition: $ 230 Work Study Tuition: $ 115 Registration opens soon! ❦ Four class sessions on Saturday, and three on Sunday ❦ Spacious and well lighted classrooms ❦ The Von Huene Shop will be on hand with a great collection of music, instruments, accessories ❦ Some classes for large instruments ❦ Persian group dinner at Persepolis Restaurant Saturday evening (optional, not included with tuition) The Ella Baker School is at 317 East 67th Street in Manhattan, between First and Second Avenues, on the third floor within the Julia Richman Education Complex. CityRecorder! 2024 Class Topics ❦ A Rich Fantasy Life; Music of Jakob Obrecht ❦ French Suites ❦ Eternal Telemann ❦ Early Black composers (Vicente Lusitano and Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de St.-George) ❦ the Birth of the Madrigal ❦ Iconic Benjamin Britten ❦ Guillaume de Machaut ❦ Music of Spring (yes, Spring!) Covid Policy: Participants will be required to test on the Friday and Saturday before attending. more info... |
| 10/26/2024 -10/27/2024 | A workshop dedicated to recorder players!
Faculty: Valerie Horst, Rachel Begley, Deborah Booth, Eric Haas, Sussan Hellauer, Susan Iadone, Wendy Powers, Sian Ricketts, and Nina Stern. |
| 10/26/2024 |  Trick or Treat! Just in time for Halloween, we’ll enjoy sacred and scary music about demons, witches and goblins, plus a nice piece of candy to sweeten the cauldron. From being escorted to the depths of Hell in the 1690’s, to disappearing children in 1908 and my version of dancing witches in Macbeth, we’ll sample four spooky recorder potions through the centuries that have a little something for players of all levels. Music by Giacomo Carissimi, James Asher Parks, Harry von Tilzer and Yours Truly. Big basses too. Eye of newt and wing of bat, unfurl the haunted welcome mat!more info... |
| 10/27/2024 -11/2/2024 | Share your musical gifts during a week-long intensive early music workshop. Enhance your skills in small classes each day taught by expert instructors with emphasis on improving technique and playing with ensembles – master classes and consort classes. The workshop includes four daily classes, morning exercise/stretches, impromptu group playing, and a daily happy hour. Wednesday includes a free afternoon to explore the beautiful Monterey area, play music, or just relax! There is a faculty concert and at the end of the week participants perform in an orchestra ensemble, then celebrate the last evening with an open mic party. The workshop 2024 theme is Continental Connections: Exploring the relationships between native composers and émigrés in Italy and Germany from 1300 – 1750 and beyond. Musicians often traveled far from home, going where the work called them. European courts vied for the best composers, singers, and instrumentalists, luring them with competing salaries and prestigious positions. The result? A rich blend of Franco-Flemish with Italian styles, and English and Italian influences on German genres. This year we’ll explore the distinct styles of these countries and the gorgeous new sounds created by contact with “foreign” composers and colleagues. The workshop takes place at the Hidden Valley Music Seminars, An Institute of the Arts in Carmel Valley, California, nestled amongst oak and buckeye trees below majestic hillsides. Along with our rich opportunities for music making, bird watching, walking, and many other local activities can be enjoyed nearby. This program is for intermediate to advanced recorder and viola da gamba players. Recorder players must be able to play at least two sizes (at least one F instrument and one C instrument). Registration Deadline: All Road Scholar programs close enrollment 35 days before they start. This means that you MUST register for the Early Music Workshop week #1 through Road Scholar by Saturday September 21st. Road Scholar does not offer any exceptions to this rule. more info... |
| 10/28/2024 -11/18/2024 | ARS introduces our next Free Online Beginners' Course for Soprano/Tenor! If you have never played recorder before, or if it has been eons ago since you have played, this is the course for you! Build a solid foundation for learning soprano/tenor through this 4-part beginners’ course starting on January 16, 2024. Professional recorder player and teacher, Emily O'Brien, will cover basics such as hand and finger position, tonguing, and tone, and instill good habits for continuing to learn on your own or with a teacher. All ages are welcome, but children should be joined by an adult during the classes. Dates: Monday, October 28th at 8PM ET (7PM CT, 6PM MT, 5PM PT) Monday, November 4th at 8PM ET (7PM CT, 6PM MT, 5PM PT) Monday, November 11th at 8PM ET (7PM CT, 6PM MT, 5PM PT) Monday, November 18th at 8PM ET (7PM CT, 6PM MT, 5PM PT) Do you need to purchase an instrument? You cannot go wrong with a good plastic recorder—they can actually sound better than a poor wooden one! Yamaha and Aulos make very good plastic sopranos. For tenors: Yamaha provides an exceptional tone, while Aulos is lighter-weight with a smaller reach. Consider purchasing an instrument from one of our business partners: Honeysuckle Music: 651-644-8545 Von Huene Workshop (The Early Music Shop of New England): (617) 277-8690 Lazar’s Early Music: (770) 366-8596 Recorder Forge: (503) 206-6212 Yamaha “Rottenburgh” and Aulos “Haka”plastic sopranos: https://www.recorderforge.com/Shop-by-brand/Aulos/?order=name-asc&p=1&properties=178283053f904129bb4aa8e3e9bd9fd8 http://www.honeysucklemusic.com/show3.php?cat=Soprano https://www.vonhuene.com/p-114-yamaha-rottenburgh-plastic-soprano.aspx https://www.vonhuene.com/p-125-aulos-plastic-haka-soprano.aspx https://lazarsearlymusic.com/collections/beginners-collection?constraint=soprano Yamaha and Aulos plastic tenors: https://www.recorderforge.com/Yamaha-Tenor-in-c-baroque-double-hole-with-double-key-plastic/YRT-304BII-YAM http://www.honeysucklemusic.com/show3.php?cat=Tenor https://www.vonhuene.com/p-116-yamaha-rottenburgh-plastic-tenor.aspx https://lazarsearlymusic.com/collections/beginners-collection/products/yamaha-abs-resin-recorder-tenor?variant=38071881367749 more info... |
| 10/30/2024 | Join us for a FREE workshop led by Andrea MacDonald, a tech expert who makes technology easy to understand. Andrea will help you get the most out of your Zoom meetings and workshops. She'll break down confusing tech terms, explain what might be causing any issues you're facing, and give you tips to improve your Zoom experience. Don't worry about taking notes -- everyone will get a handout to keep. The workshop lasts 90 minutes, so we'll go at a relaxed pace and have plenty of time for your questions. You won't need to do anything to your devices during the session, so there's no stress involved. more info... |
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