Rochester PtRM Rreport
Tie for runners-up
Two chapters tied as runners-up: the Rochester Chapter and the Sacramento Recorder Society.
The Rochester Chapter will receive a gift certificate from the Von Heune Early Music Store in Brookline, MA. Another of the judges praised this chapter's extensive outreach (8 events) as highly commendable.
1. Representatives from the Rochester Chapter were interviewed by 91.5FM WXXI, the local PBS radio station. Jessica Brennan, president, and Neil Seely, founding member, spoke about the history of the chapter, the recorder as an instrument for musicians of all ages and abilities, and why they love to play. Additionally, Neil & Liz Seely and Stephanie Chacon performed two pieces that were recorded and played on the air. One trio was played on Baroque instruments, the other on English recorders. The interview and performances, which aired March 24th and 25th, can be heard here:
http://interactive.wxxi.org/node/251783.
2. Nine members from Rochester Chapter Outreach Players presented an interactive performance and “petting zoo” on March 30th at the Harley School, an independent, college-preparatory, elementary school. The program, performed for approximately 25 children ages two through ten and their parents, was part of a “Bach to Boogie” series hosted by the school. The pieces selected for the program were specifically chosen to illustrate the versatility of the recorder, including differences in pitch from the contrabass to the garklein, articulation, dynamics, and musical styles. The children (and some parents!) “joined” our performances through dance, creative movement, and Q&A. The Harley School handled all publicity for this event, and it was mentioned on WXXI as part of the radio interview. Twelve 4th graders, who have been learning the recorder this year, accompanied us on Gathering Peascods as part of the performance, and they played excellently! Future members for sure! After the program, the children and their parents came forward for a “petting zoo,” which allowed them to get up close to the instruments, handle some of them, and learn more about them. The largest and the smallest were of the most interest!
3. On March 22, our chapter hosted a workshop with Patricia Petersen. Approximately 25 intermediate to advanced players attended from our chapter, the Buffalo chapter, the Hudson-Mohawk chapter, Ithaca, and Syracuse. Brochures were printed up and mailed to chapters as far as Toronto and Pittsburgh, and the listing was included on the ARS event calendar. The workshop was held at the church/school where our twice-monthly meetings and classes are located. Lessons with Pat were also provided in a member’s home, and a small dinner party was held after the workshop. Our theme, “Beyond the Fringe: Music from the Periphery of Europe,” brought us a great variety of beautiful music thoroughly enjoyed by all.
4. On March 11, 21 members of our chapter performed A Day in the Park during our bimonthly meeting time. The music 
had been handed out the members who needed it during the first hour classes, then we converged for our usual business meeting and “mini” performance and played as a chapter, beginners included. Everyone agreed that the piece was great fun and brought lovely spring thoughts to our minds, despite the still very wintery weather!
5. One chapter member, a Renaissance-costumed John Heyer, played recorder (as well as hurdy-gurdy and dulcimer) at the Strong Museum of 
Play’s Royal Ball, held on March 1st and 2nd. Approximately 4,000 museum patrons attended to partake in activities that included archery, banquet feasting, crafts, meeting the Queen of Play, and, of course, accompanying the ladies-in-waiting and many tiny princess guests as they danced to the live music. The children and their families were able to hear and see the recorder played in traditional Renaissance dance music in an intimate setting, right next to both the banquet table and Queen’s throne.
6. One member was part of the musical entertainment for a Saint Patrick’s Day party at her church on March 17th. Kathy Rinere played soprano recorder on some seasonal songs with the ensemble of church guitars and string bass. 122 adults and children were in attendance. Kathy also played a version of Elvis Costello’s Long Journey Home during a church service for approximately 200 members on March 16th.
7. Longtime chapter member Pat Hanley played recorders for the anthem at her church services every Sunday during the month of March.
8. Regina Memole demonstrated recorder on March 10th by playing some Irish pieces for around 80 children at the daycare for which she works.
(reported by Jessica Brennan)
