Hello Everyone,

What a glorious month it has been – the magnificent full harvest moon a couple of weeks ago still fills me with awe, and the absolutely perfect weather that we had for our recent Fall Fipple Flute Forum made the weekend even better than we could have imagined. Comments from participants afterward confirmed how uplifting and vital to the human spirit it is to make music together. The sound of 50 recorders playing in the morning tutti was truly impressive and many were emotionally moved by the experience. As we now transition into Autumn, let us embrace the celebration of Rosh Hashana – the creation of the universe and a new year filled with new opportunities. One such wonderful creation is the Seattle Bach Festival filled with opportunities for community music making. Check out the concert calendar for local events. On October 5 the new documentary movie, Living Bach will be followed by a community play in for all instruments. Details here.

Playing session on October 4

For our October meeting I have chosen pieces of a light-hearted, folksy character for recorder sizes SATB.

We’ll warm up playing two rounds or “catches” from the early 1700s: “Catch on a Good Claret” and “Too Late for a Coach!” I dearly hope they are not offensive to anyone, being of a bawdy nature. Both are found in “The Jovial Companions or Merry Club – being a choice collection of the newest and most diverting catches for 3 and 4 voices….” Composed by the late Henry Purcell and Dr John Blow.

Next we will play three selections from Peter Flötner’s Playing Cards from 1540. These short, ‘anonymous’ compositions are found on the backs of a set of beautiful hand-painted cards. The cards and suits depict various views of basic human instincts.

Then, in celebration of the 20th anniversary of the release of the film “Howl’s Moving Castle” by the brilliant Japanese composer Joe Hisaishi, I’ve chosen three pieces from the movie’s soundtrack, transcribed and scored for SATB recorders.

BACK ROOM GANG folks, please note that the BR gang will now be meeting in a slightly smaller room directly across the hallway from where you met last season.

OUR MUSIC LENDING LIBRARY bins will be on tables in the large playing space for you to peruse before and after our playing session. No more “out of sight out of mind”!

The days are getting wetter and chillier, so please remember to bring an extra layer as we will keep the door cracked open.

We are resuming our tradition of offering simple snacks after the playing sessions but we need a snacks coordinator. Please consider volunteering – it is neither difficult nor time consuming.

Help setting up chairs and moving tables is always appreciated.

Please let me know if you need hard copies brought to the meeting, I look forward to seeing you soon.

Vicki