• Open Section (for all ages – solo and/or ensemble)
• Under 18 Section (for soloists and ensembles where all members are under 18 as of January 13, 2026)

Enhance your technique and ensemble playing during an intensive workshop with directors Letitia Berlin & Lawrence Lipnik, plus other stellar faculty. Two fabulous weeks - choose either week or both! Week# 1 October 26 - November 1, 2025. Week #2 November 2 - 8, 2025.

Revel in the lyrical sounds of the recorder, viola da gamba, harpsichord, dulcian & shawm as you share your musical gifts during a week-long intensive early music workshop. Enhance your skills in small classes taught by expert instructors with emphasis on improving technique and playing with ensembles. At Hidden Valley Music Seminars, An Institute of the Arts, nestled amongst oak and buckeye trees below majestic hillsides, enjoy a serene and inspiring place for playing music in the world famous Monterey/Carmel area.

Technique classes geared toward application of technique, practice to the repertoire – making music out of notes! Master class and consort classes. The 2025 theme is currently TBD and will be announced once available.

Meeting of the Mid-Peninsula Recorder Orchestra.

The recorder gets a bad reputation for sounding shrill and squeaky, especially the soprano. Yet both soprano and tenor recorders are capable of making sweet and lovely sounds, both as solo instruments and in ensembles. Join professional recorder teacher Laura Townsend for this class focused on sound/tone production and expressive phrasing, all while continuing to better understand the fundamentals of recorder technique. Conquer your fears and learn how expressive the recorder can be!

Attendees are expected to be able to play from low C to high G (an octave and a fifth including Bbs and F#s) and read those notes and general rhythmic patterns on the music staff. All music will be provided. You don’t need to be confident, just familiar with these skills – we’ll work on improving them further.

Monday, November 3 at 8:00pm, ET (7:00pm, CT; 6:00pm, MT; 5:00pm, PT)
Thursday, November 6 at 8:00pm, ET (7:00pm, CT; 6:00pm, MT; 5:00pm, PT)
Monday, November 10 at 8:00pm, ET (7:00pm, CT; 6:00pm, MT; 5:00pm, PT)
Thursday, November 13 at 8:00pm, ET (7:00pm, CT; 6:00pm, MT; 5:00pm, PT)

This class made possible by a generous donation from Judy Smutek of Ann Arbor, Michigan

Second Level Beginners' Class with Marea Chernoff:  Continuing Technique (alto recorder) with a focus on low and high notes

Building upon the foundational techniques introduced in the beginners’ course, this 4-part series will focus on producing confident and consistent low and high notes, while reinforcing the basics and helping further develop your technique on alto recorder. The classes will address the challenges of technical issues we encounter in the lowest and higher registers. Classes will use the Sweet Pipes Method Book One, supplemented with materials from the teacher.

This class is available at no charge to ARS members, only. 

Requirements: 
Alto recorder
Basic ability to read music
Comfortable with basic fingerings

Materials:
This course will use the following method book: Sweet Pipes Recorder Book: A method for adults and older beginners, Book One for Alto Recorder (see purchase info below)
Supplementary material will be provided by the instructor.

Dates:
Wednesday, Nov 5, 1:00pm PST (4:00pm EST, 3:00pm CST, 2:00pm MST)
Wednesday, Nov 12, 1:00pm PST (4:00pm EST, 3:00pm CST, 2:00pm MST)
Wednesday, Nov 19, 1:00pm PST (4:00pm EST, 3:00pm CST, 2:00pm MST)
Wednesday, Nov 26, 1:00pm PST (4:00pm EST, 3:00pm CST, 2:00pm MST)

For this course, you will need the Sweet Pipes Recorder Book. Consider purchasing this from one of our business partners, 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), Boston, MA: (617) 277-8690
      Sweet Pipes Recorder Book 1 Alto

Honeysuckle Music, St. Paul, MN: (651) 644-8545
      Sweet Pipes Recorder Book 1 Alto

In SALTWINDS & SPICE Alkemie joins forces with Rose of the Compass, featuring recorder superstar Nina Stern and Armenian-American oud-player and composer Ara Dinkjian. Together, we explore the world of medieval Cyprus, offering a window into a multiethnic entrepot. Hear musical tales of rose-scented fountains, shrines famous for both holy relics and snake-hunting cats, and dynasties founded by mermaids. Featuring French ars subtilior music from the Cyprus Codex (MS. J.II.9) alongside Armenian, Genoese, and Greek folk music. 

This concert will be followed by a reception with the artists featuring traditional Cypriot wines & desserts.

Join us for a series of Consort Studio Workshops in central New Jersey, monthly sessions in ensemble playing for intermediate to advanced level recorder players to learn to play with one another and other instruments under a skilled conductor, with professional accompaniment.

These events will be led by conductor, recorder player, and harpsichordist, Steven Russell (see below). It is an opportunity to play a variety of Baroque literature for small ensembles, through rehearsal, instruction, and demonstration, in a supportive environment, with a focus on ensemble playing, and end with the option to play the lead alto part with a professional ensemble. We will have opportunities to warm up on Renaissance music with SATB recorders, so bring all sizes. Register early to receive the music well in advance. Auditors welcome to attend. Sessions culminate in a performance.

Dates: One Saturday of the month, 1:00 – 5:00 P.M. w/ a 15-min. break       

Nov. 8, 2025  Open for General Registration. A Taste of Things to Come       

Jan. 10, 2026           Feb. 28, 2026        March 14, 2026        April 25, 2026

May 9, 2026  Workshop-Rehearsal     June 13      Oct. 10      Nov. 14, 2026

Location: Reformed Church of Highland Park, 19-21 South Second Avenue, Highland Park, NJ. There is plenty of parking at the location, which is a 30-minute walk or 5-minute taxi ride from the New Brunswick NJT train station.

To register, Visit https://hprecorder.org/events/2026-consort-studio/. For more information contact recorderdonna@gmail.com 

• September 8: Medieval Rounds and Grounds
• October 27: Medieval Bestiary
• November 17: La Spagna
• December 15: Early 15th century English Carols

Basstopia! The Wonderful World of the Bass Recorder

November 18, 25, December 2, 9

10:00 am – 11:15 am PT/11:00 am – 12:15 pm MT/12:00 pm – 1:15 pm CT/1:00 pm – 2:15 pm ET 

Each session starts with a 15-minute warm-up to work on tone, fingers, and tongue. Then, we’ll work on a selection of my favorite solos and duets, using Eric Haas’ publications (Duets for Basses Volume II, and Bass Recorder Solo Book) and works from other sources. Eric’s books can be ordered from the Von Huene Early Music Shop at https://www.vonhuene.com/search.aspx?searchterm=haas)  We’ll also work on the aria “Bestelle dein Haus” from J. S. Bach’s Cantata 106. Pitch: a=440.

$100 for all four classes.  Classes will be recorded and available to stream for one month. To learn how to register, please write to Tish at tishberlin@sbcglobal.net.  Music will be sent as PDFs one week before first class.

An All-Zoom Practice Challenge: A Brief Survey of Repertoire for the Recorder Player, Part II 

November 18, 25, December 2, 9

1:15 pm- 2:30 pm PT/2:15 pm – 3:30 pm MT/3:15 pm – 4:30 pm CT/4:15 pm – 5:30 pm ET (note the 15 minute earlier time than usual!)

In this 4-session class we’ll start each session on a technique warm-up, then each week we’ll work on sections of a new piece, making a brief survey of repertoire for the recorder player. We’ll focus on effective practice methods for all pieces. For intermediate and up alto and soprano (or tenor) recorder players. Pitch: a=440. 
Repertoire ~ Medieval: a Landini duet; mid-16th century: Ortiz’ diminutions on Sandrin’s chanson Doulce memoire; 17th century: La Bergamasca by Uccellini; Hotteterre, a suite from the second book in Opus 2.

 $100 for all four classes.  Classes will be recorded and available to stream for one month. To learn how to register, please write to Tish at tishberlin@sbcglobal.net