Struggle no more!! Each week BCRS features a recorder soloist on ensemble by posting a live performance video to our YouTube channel. We strive to provide an interesting mix of styles from musicians all over the world. A new performance is uploaded every Sunday. And it's FREE!
ARS Online Beginners’ Classes in Soprano/Tenor Recorder with Lewis Baratz
ARS introduces our next Free Online Beginner’s course in Soprano and/or Tenor Recorder. An ideal instrument for people looking forward to the social experience of playing with others, the recorder is also a flexible instrument for playing music from the Middle Ages to the present day. Most people can learn the basics and start playing in a relatively short time.
Lewis Baratz’s classes will be held:
Monday, June 16, 2025 at 7:00 PM Eastern Time (ET) (6:00 CT, 5:00 MT, 4:00 PT)
Monday, June 23, 2025 at 7:00 PM ET (6:00 CT, 5:00 MT, 4:00 PT)
Monday, June 30, 2025 at 7:00 PM ET (6:00 CT, 5:00 MT, 4:00 PT)
Monday, July 7, 2025 at 7:00 PM ET (6:00 CT, 5:00 MT, 4:00 PT)
Lewis will provide materials in PDF derived from a variety of sources as well as original material. And if you don’t already read music, no problem, as basic music-reading skills will be discussed as well. This course will guide you through basic sound production, hand position, finger technique, and tonguings, and give you the opportunity to see what the recorder can do and personally experience its appeal. The course is geared to students of all ages, but children 12 and under should be joined by an adult during the class.
If you don’t already own a “C” soprano or tenor recorder consider starting out with a plastic recorder such as the Aulos “Haka” soprano model or the Yamaha "Rottenburgh" or “Ecodear” plastic sopranos. These instruments are often easier to play and last longer than inexpensive wooden models. Plastic tenor recorders are also available.
You can inquire or purchase recorders at:
Von Huene Workshop (The Early Music Shop of New England), Boston, MA: (617) 277-8690
Honeysuckle Music, St. Paul, MN: (651) 644-8545
Lazar's Early Music, Carson City, NV: (866) 511-2981
June 29 - July 6 & July 6 - July 13, 2025
Muhlenberg College, Allentown, PA
Directed by Frances Blaker
Music of the German Lands
❦ Week 1 (June 29 - July 6): Central Program, Baroque Academy, Historical Dance, Ensemble Singing Intensive, Lute Society of America East
❦ Week 2 (July 6-13): Central Program, Choral Workshop Medieval Project, and New London Assembly
See website for program information, tuition, and room & board options, and to register!
Our Wonderful World of Music
Play with our splendid faculty in the stunning Pacific Northwest!
"The Drum To the Pipe - Introduction to Basic Percussion Techniques for Recorder Players"In this class we will learn to play percussion instruments and how to create “parts” or accompaniments for ensembles. Learning basic drumming techniques will enhance your sense of rhythm, deepen your understanding of musical structures, and ultimately provide variety and color to your ensemble. Most importantly, playing the drum is fun! NB: Those who don't own a drum can use any handy percussion instrument you have at home, such as a pot, pan, cardboard box or wastebasket (preferably empty).
The workshop will explore tunes from our “Holiday Tunes for Two” collection.
Music for the Theater:"The man that hath no music in himself, nor is not moved with concord of sweet sounds, is fit for treasons, stratagems and spoils;” - Shakespeare. English Renaissance theaters were filled with music, both within the plays and between the acts. Explore music from masques to incidental music that entertained the masses from Henry VIII, Byrd, Brade, Morley, and others.
The recorder gets a bad reputation for sounding shrill and squeaky! But the alto recorder is capable of being a beautiful solo instrument as well as an ensemble companion. Join professional performer/teacher Jennifer Carpenter and 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 low F to high C (octave and a 5th 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. All materials will be provided by the instructor.
Course Dates:
Monday, July 28, 2025 at 8 PM ET (7PM CT, 6PM MT, 5PM PT)
Wednesday, July 30, 2025 at 8 PM ET (7PM CT, 6PM MT, 5PM PT)
Monday, August 4, 2025 at 8 PM ET (7PM CT, 6PM MT, 5PM PT)
Wednesday, August 6, 2025 at 8 PM ET (7PM CT, 6PM MT, 5PM PT)
This class is available at no charge to ARS members, only. When registering, use the email address associated with your ARS membership. If you are not an ARS member, you may click HERE to join. These classes are limited in size to allow for more interaction between the teacher and students. If you have already taken two or more of our Second Level classes, please wait until one week prior to the start of class to sign up, in order to allow a larger number of people to take advantage of these opportunities.
Second Level Beginners - Continuing Technique for Soprano with Lewis BaratzIn this series we will explore continuing technique for the recorder, following up from our Soprano Beginners lesson. Sessions will focus on reviewing basic concepts; fingers, tonguing and counting; expressive sound; and approaching more complex repertory.
Prerequisites:
ARS Intro Recorder class or equivalent experience
Basic ability to read music in treble (G-) clef
This class is available at no charge to ARS members, only. When registering, use the email address associated with your ARS membership. If you are not an ARS member, you may click HERE to join. These classes are limited in size to allow for more interaction between the teacher and students. If you have already taken two or more of our Second Level classes, please wait until one week prior to the start of class to sign up, in order to allow a larger number of people to take advantage of these opportunities.
Dates:
Monday, August 4, 2025 at 7PM ET (6PM CT, 5PM MT, 4PM PT)
Monday, August 11, 2025 at 7PM ET (6PM CT, 5PM MT, 4PM PT)
Monday, August 18, 2025 at 7PM ET (6PM CT, 5PM MT, 4PM PT)
Monday, August 25, 2025 at 7PM ET (6PM CT, 5PM MT, 4PM PT)