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
This seminar class explores the rich textures and vibrant rhythms of Spanish Renaissance music, as it delves into Epiphany-themed works by three of Spain’s most celebrated composers. Experience the intricate polyphony of Tomás Luis de Victoria, the luminous melodies of Francisco Guerrero, and the heartfelt expressions of Cristóbal de Morales, all adapted for recorders of multiple sizes. Celebrate the journey of the Magi and the festive spirit of the season through playing music that blends devotional depth with lively charm.
All are welcome! SATB Recorders, A=440hz
Winter Term begins January 6 and 7 for our 10 week online play-along sessions. We offer an Intermediate class on Tuesdays and/or Saturdays and an Advanced class on Wednesdays and/or Saturdays. The 90-minute sessions, for players of recorder and other early instruments, include playing a melange of renaissance, baroque, medieval and modern music with the ORB Trio in real time with performance advice, historical information and lively banter.
The workshop will explore tunes from our Crooked Tunes for Two publication.
Winter Term begins January 6 and 7 for our 10 week online play-along sessions. We offer an Intermediate class on Tuesdays and/or Saturdays and an Advanced class on Wednesdays and/or Saturdays. The 90-minute sessions, for players of recorder and other early instruments, include playing a melange of renaissance, baroque, medieval and modern music with the ORB Trio in real time with performance advice, historical information and lively banter.
Join our dance band for the day! Learn how the character of the steps, tempo, and rhythm
of a particular dance influence your approach to playing an instrumental dance
composition or even the accompaniment of dance performance. Our distinguished faculty
will make all clear – Baroque Dancer Caroline Copeland will demonstrate selected
dances and comment about their important aspects. Anne Timberlake will lead the
orchestra in translating these dance principles into sparkling instrumental performance.
The workshop is open to upper intermediate, and advanced players of baroque
instruments. We’ll welcome a wealth of instruments into our orchestra – recorders, flutes,
violins, violas, viols, lutes, guitars and the like.
Enjoy the costumed splendor of French courtly baroque dance! Renowned dancers
Caroline Copeland and Julian Donahue perform selections from Rameau’s
Dardanus and Nais, with live accompaniment by the CEM Dance Band. The
program also features solos by the virtuoso recorder player Anne Timberlake,
bringing French Baroque Dance music vividly to life.
Mindful PracticeLearning how to practice is a skill in and of itself and one that we must practice! But where do you start, and why are certain techniques effective while others are not? This workshop is designed to take you “behind the scenes” as we discuss the psychology and neuroscience of what is changing in our brains as we are actively practicing and even when we’re not. We’ll break down some effective and efficient practice tools that will help you reach your goals with consistency and that work with your busy schedules. It’s time to change how we approach practicing so that we can become confident players at any level!
The dates and clinicians for our meetings this year will be:
September 12, 2025 - TBA
November 21, 2025 - Joan Kimball
January 16, 2026 - Gwyn Roberts
March 13, 2026 - Bob Wiemken
May 15, 2026 - TBA
Music, when provided by the clinician, will be available digitally before the meetings. If anyone requires or desires a print copy for the meeting, please let me know. I'm more than happy to make as many physical copies as needed, but don't want to waste paper on unneeded copies.
Our meetings will be held from 7:30-9:30 pm at:
New Ark UCC Church
300 East Main Street
Newark, DE 19711
The fee for our meetings will be $15 per meeting or $60 for an annual membership (covers all 5 meetings). Fees help support the chapter by providing honorariums to our guest clinicians as well as an honorarium for New Ark UCC for allowing us to use the space.
You can bring payment with you to the first meeting or send a check made to "Brandywine ARS" to our treasurer, Fred Litcofsky. Fred can be reached fredlitcofsky@gmail or 19 Savoy Rd., Newark, DE 19702
As always, guests are free on their first visit, so please feel free to invite a friend (or 2 or 3)!
Bring any size of soprano, alto, tenor, or bass recorder that you have. You will have a chance to explore more than one part of each piece. Both plastic and wooden instruments are welcome. Pitch is A=440.
Please bring a music stand. We recommend that you bring a stand light to supplement the ceiling light.
More info: https://www.nyrg.org/
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The Church of Saint Mary the Virgin at 145 West 46th Street, between Sixth and Seventh Avenues in Manhattan. Meetings are held in St. Joseph’s Hall, a side chapel of St. Mary's. Located in a brick building to the left of the main church, the entranceway is distinguished by the street number 145 displayed on the door.
1:30-3:30 PM. Doors open at 1PM.
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Meeting Fees:
$20 per meeting for members
$30 per meeting for non-members
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FULL SEASON PREPAYMENT OPTION: $180. Includes annual membership dues and meeting fees for the entire 2025-26 season.
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Send payment using Zelle to NYRG treasurer Judith Wink at jwink@nyc.rr.com. Please put your email address in the Notes field. Alternatively, send checks to New York Recorder Guild, 145 West 93rd Street, Apt. 2, New York, NY 10025.
High Fives: Celebrating NAVRS's Fifth Anniversary!In this session we will celebrate this wonderful milestone in an exciting and unique way, including the original 1893 version of "Happy Birthday" by Patti and Mildred Hill, freshly out of copyright restrictions; and a fun birthday madrigal by John Holmes published in Thomas Morley’s 1601 The Triumphes of Oriana.