Class Selections 2010-2011

During the 2010-2011 season, we are pleased to be offering the following classes:

First Hour Classes

BEGINNERS

Frank Amato

If you know someone who would like to learn, now is the time to encourage her/him to start out on a musical adventure with us. Help us build our membership! Bring a friend!

BEGINNERS CLASS FOR PLAYERS OF WIND INSTRUMENTS

Neil Seely

A class for adults who have enjoyed music making but are seeking a musical experience with a new instrument, new friends, and an opportunity to revive a pleasurable pastime.

The recorder has an extensive musical repertory spanning seven centuries, including solos and small ensemble pieces all suitable for the amateur player. The class will focus on the issues of the crossover to proficient recorder technique.

INTERMEDIATE

DeeDee Heyer

Working on technical exercises will improve fingering fluency and tone production as well as rhythmic confidence on your recorders. If you feel unsure of the second fingering, this is your chance to become more proficient or to develop skill on a third/fourth instrument. 3-part and some 4-part ensemble music will be used to become comfortable with switching instruments and learning the various roles of each part.

HIGH INTERMEDIATE

Pat Hanley

Requirements: Participants in this class must play and bring SATB recorders. On the bass, you must know the fingerings from low F to high D. You are expected to do some practicing outside of class.

Players must be comfortable with duple and triple meters, dotted rhythms, and be willing to switch lines. In class, participants must be willing to learn alto up and tenor in the bass clef. We will be working on 3-, 4-, and 5-part music to develop increased facility on all recorders as well as the ability to play syncopations and suspensions without losing the beat or your place in the music. Bass parts may be easier than the others. Lower recorders (great bass, etc.) are also welcome.

ADVANCED

David Tilley

Requirements: For this class playing SATB instruments at an advanced level is required. Switching instruments from one piece to the next is expected, as well the ability to sight read, double tongue, play alto up, and use alternate fingering.

We will utilize multi-part music to develop ensemble skills with emphasis on complex articulations, phrasing, and rhythms. The goal is to play a fair amount of challenging recorder music, and play it well!

EARLY NOTATION: The Journey Continues

Marian Henry

Requirements: SATB, facility with C-clefs, as certain amount of stubbornness, and a liking for learning new things.

The early notation class will move into the mysterious world of triple mensuration. Learn the meaning of dots of division, how (and when) to imperfect a breve, and other arcane delights.

Second Hour Classes

LOW PITCH LEAGUE

Marian Henry and Pat Hanley

Requirements: Participants must play both F and C fingering. SATB recorders required. Lower voices desirable. C-bass and contrabass recorders are especially welcome.

This class will play at eight-foot pitch (i.e. down an octave). The music is the same, but the recorder you play is twice as big.

So, music you're accustomed to play on a soprano recorder will be played on your next biggest C instrument, your tenor recorder. You will play your alto recorder about as often as you've been playing your sopranino. Your bass recorder assumes the role of an alto recorder, and so on.

Music may come from any era, have any number of parts, depending on the inclination of the class and the whim of the leaders.

CELTIC JOURNEYS

Jessica Brennan and Regina Memole

Requirements: For participants at any playing level

Explore the traditional music of the British Isles, learning some history and folklore along the way! Experience the aires and ballads, reels and waltzes, and jigs and slipjigs that have been part of the Celtic culture for generations. Open to all, guitarists welcome!

BEYOND BAROQUE II

Neil Seely

Requirements: SATB

Every year, new music is composed for recorders, and arrangements for 18th, 19th, and 20th century music are published. We will select some gems to polish for minis and concerts.

SONGS AND THEIR OFFSPRING

Liz Seely

Songs of different eras and countries as well as composers’ use of these melodies in new forms will be the focus of this class. We will also have opportunities to explore ways to help recorders reflect a given text while playing singing lines. Open to all.

Additional Playing Opportunities

SIGHT READING CLASS

Pat Hanley

We will be offering Sight Reading Class on the first and third Tuesdays of the month, opposite the regular chapter meetings on the second and fourth Tuesdays. Note that there is no Sight Reading class on fifth Tuesdays unless otherwise notified.