SRS Monthly Meeting

The SRS season starts on October 7 following another marvelous Port Townsend Early Music Workshop in July.

Membership Dues are $35 for the year (September through August). We keep our dues low to be as inclusive as possible. Dues revenue only pays for half of our operating expenses. The membership form includes an opportunity for you to assist us as we provide a multifaceted program each year. SRS members have a history of generosity, and we appreciate your additional donations! Please download the Dues form and either mail in the form or bring it to the October meeting:

Seattle Recorder Society Membership form

2011-12 meeting dates:

October 7

November 4

December 2

January 6

February 3

March 2

March 30

May 4

Please note that there will be two meetings in March and none in April.

The October 7th meeting will start with a simple chorale of Bach. Beginners are invited to join the large ensemble during the opening part of the meeting. After that, beginners will depart to play under the able guidance of Sally Mitchell. During the year, Sally will help beginners work toward joining the full ensemble later in the season.

Following the Bach, experienced players will then read the entire Music for the Royal Fireworks of George Friderich Handel in a new arrangement for SSAATTBGb. Additional parts are available for contrabass recorder and for viols. The arrangement was done for the American Handel Festival last March, but we took up the entire time allotted to us by St. James Cathedral in playing the three Water Music suites. Now we finally get a chance to play the dazzling and wonderful Fireworks Music, a great way to start our season!

The SRS is pleased to continue Laura Faber’s highly successful classes for beginners and players of modest achievement. They will resume in October, and the registration form is available on this website.

International recorder soloist Vicki Boeckman and distinguished recorder maker and soloist David Ohannesian will give a duo concert on the Early Music Guild First Tuesday Series on October 4th at 7:30 p.m. at the Trinity Parish Church in Seattle. See: www.earlymusicguild.org.

John’s Music, long the best place in the Northwest for recorder music and instruments, closed in August. John Avinger started the business about thirty years ago in the University District, but as business grew, he moved to larger premises in Wallingford. John’s business model focused on educational needs (especially Orff instruments) and the world of drumming. Although John was active in early music, he assigned Margaret Swain to take over the part of the business that dealt with early music. With the closure of the store, Margaret plans an online service to provide musical editions for recorder players and is considering additional options.

There will be an American Recorder Society Festival in Portland from July 5-8, 2012. Although this will have some features of a workshop, there will be additional dimensions to the festival. More information about that will be available in the coming months.