2011 Play the Recorder Month Activities
March was Play-the-Recorder Month and Saturday, March 21st was designated Recorder Day! Recorder players and ARS chapters have observed PtRM since 1993 by finding imaginative and innovative ways to raise the profile of the recorder in their own communities. ARS held their annual Play-the-Recorder-Month Contest, which was judged by the Chapters & Consorts Committee. Gift certificates were given to the winning group participants and the certificates were graciously donated by our supportive ARS Business Members. The most interesting events, number of events, and largest amount of new members gained in the month were among the criteria for awarding prizes to the participants.
« First Place: Tucson Recorder Society (AZ)
The Tuscon chapter had ten events, involving two different groups: Desert Winds and Ocotillos. They played for more than 1,000 children as part of the “Opening Minds Through the Arts” (OMA) program of the Tucson Unified School District. The total number of performers was between 15-18 players. After they gave their concerts, the 3rd grade beginner recorder students played musical selections for them. The chapter stated, “Together we (shamelessly) spread our love of music and recorder playing to more than 1,000 children every year. More than half of the active members of the TRS chapter are involved in this great project!” They were awarded a gift certificate donated by the Von Huene Workshop/Early Music Workshop of New England in Brookline, MA.
1st runner up: Philadelphia Recorder Society (PA) (no photo)
Philadelphia held nine events. A seven member consort played at two different skilled care nursing homes and one member played alone four times in subway concourses, receiving $57 in tips for the chapter! They also held their regular monthly meeting and a five person consort held two rehearsals to prepare for a recital in April. 38 performers participated in all these events. They were awarded a gift certificate from Lazar’s Early Music in Sunnyvale, CA.
2nd runner up: Triangle Recorder Society (NC) »
The Triangle chapter held their annual workshop on Recorder Day at Carolina Friends School in Durham, NC. There were fifty recorder players as well as other instrumentalists attending the event. The afternoon concluded with Pat Petersen leading the entire workshop in Glen Shannon’s The Harmonious Blockflute. They were awarded a gift certificate from Honeysuckle Music in St. Paul, MN.
The Triangle chapter held their annual workshop on Recorder Day at Carolina Friends School in Durham, NC. There were fifty recorder players as well as other instrumentalists attending the event. The afternoon concluded with Pat Petersen leading the entire workshop in Glen Shannon’s The Harmonious Blockflute. They were awarded a gift certificate from Honeysuckle Music in St. Paul, MN.
| 3rd runner up: Central Oregon (OR) The Director of Music at Trinity Lutheran church saw PtRM as a way to get their fledgling  recorder students eager about their instrument. Forty-seven students in the 3rd & 4th grades rehearsed as a recorder marching band, practicing both inside and outside during the month of March. They made a videotape of their performance and presented it to all of the school’s students and parents at Celebrate Our School Night. The recorder students’ excitement and long hours of practicing greatly enhanced the school’s celebration. They were awarded a gift certificate from Courtly Music in New York. |
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Most New Members: Buffalo Recorder Society (NY)
The winner of the chapter with the largest increase in new members was the Buffalo Recorder Society. They were awarded a gift certificate donated by Glen Shannon.
Other chapters and organizations had activities just for the fun of it. They received honorable mentions for the time and energy that went into planning and executing these creative events.
Victoria, BC (Canada)
This Canadian group of 10-20 performers put on two events at the Victoria Public Library and James Bay New Horizons Center. Players from Victoria and the surrounding communities took part in the festivities. On Recorder Day they had a play-in at the library in a covered courtyard. This was the first time they had participated in PtRM and reported they had a great time and attracted lots of positive attention.
Albuquerque Recorder Orchestra (NM) » There were 6 members who performed in the chapel of Manzano del Sol Good Samaritan Village, a retirement facility. They played Glen Shannon’s The Harmonious Blockflute in the last section of their concert. Their music program was designed to introduce unacquainted audiences not only with recorder ensembles but also early music. The 35 member audience appeared to enjoy the program very much. |
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Chicago Chapter (IL) » Chicago had two events and involved seventeen performers. At their regular monthly meeting they played only ARS Editions which included The Harmonious Blockflute and Tue, Tue. The second event involved 5 players performing in the Auditorium of the Sulzer Regional Public Library. This is the first time the Chicago Chapter has participated in PtRM. |
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Greater Knoxville Chapter (TN) » |
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Hawaii Chapter
Early Music Hawaii (EMH) and the Hawaii Chapter celebrated PtRM by joining together to bring Annette Bauer to Hawaii for two weekends of playing and teaching. On March 4 in Honolulu, Bauer performed a concert at the Atherton Performing Arts Studio, delighting the audience with her solo recorder work as well as ethnic instruments like the duduk and xun. On March 5, Bauer taught an all-day workshop for the Honolulu group that focused on Medieval music, including an introduction to percussion.
In Kona, on the Big Island, West Hawaii Recorders kept Bauer busy with a day of private lessons and ensemble coaching, followed by an all-day workshop with the added bonus of a brief introduction to the playing of 15th-century Franco-Flemish notation. The highlight of her Kona visit was a Medieval Feast and Concert held at the Queen Emma Community Center in Kealakekua as a fundraiser for EMH and Christ Church Episcopal. Bauer was accompanied by local musicians Meg Sibley, soprano voice; Motter Snell, harp; and Garrett Webb, recorder. As far anyone knows, March 11 marked the first-ever performance of Medieval music offered in West Hawaii. Recorder students and audience members alike across the state are saying, “Hana Hou!” (encore)!
Recorder Orchestra of the Midwest (IN)
Under the direction of Clea Galhano, the Recorder Orchestra of the Midwest rehearsed on March 19th and held an open dress rehearsal in Bloomington, IN for their final concert in April. The program was titled “Multicultural Melodies” and consisted of pieces by William Byrd, John Ward, Mateo Flecha, Orlando Gibbons, J.S. Bach, G.F. Handel, Maurice Ravel, Glen Shannon, George Gershwin and Zequinha de Abreu. The fifteen members of this orchestra come from Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky, Missouri, Wisconsin, and Minnesota.
Rio Grande Chapter (Las Cruces NM & El Paso TX)
Members of the Rio Grande Chapter played music for a retirement center physical rehabilitation unit and an Alzheimer’s unit. Many pieces of their music were familiar to the 
audience members from their earlier years. They ended with some patriotic music as a sing-along, with the singing led by Stan Hawkinson.
As made clear by the activities that have been shared by chapters and participating groups, recorder players are an involved and active bunch of talented musicians. Put on your thinking caps and develop some interesting things to do for the 20th celebration of Play the Recorder Month and Recorder Day! in 2012. Thanks to all who participated and donated prizes for this fun event. Happy playing!