2025-2026 Season

About us

We are a group of Rochester-area recorder players who meet from September to May. Together with several talented volunteer teachers, the group provides opportunities to participate in learning sessions, consorts, and several performances. 

Recorder players of all levels from beginner to experienced are welcome.

The chapter was founded in the spring of 1965, and we are proud to have been meeting for over fifty years. 

Meetings

Our meeting location is the First Baptist Church of Rochester, at 175 Allen's Creek Road. 

Meetings are on the second and fourth Tuesdays, from 7:00pm-8:30pm. 

Our annual dues for 2025-26 are $65 for the year.

Schedule

Our schedule for the 2025-26 season. All meetings begin at 7:00pm at the first Baptist Church, unless noted otherwise:

General meetings are on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month. We have a general meeting for sight-reading on first Tuesdays, and our Outreach group rehearses on third Tuesdays. General meetings are listed below, but please join us for sight-reading the first Tuesday of each month. 

Tuesday, 09/09. General meeting. Welcome to our new season!

Tuesday, 09/23. General meeting

Tuesday, 10/14. General meeting

Tuesday, 10/28. General meeting

Tuesday, 11/11. General meeting

Tuesday, 12/09. Holiday gathering -- meet to play as a whole group, and share some treats!

December 10-January 5. Winter break

Tuesday, 01/13. General meeting

Tuesday, 01/27. General meeting

Tuesday, 02/10. General meeting

Friday, 02/20. John Dowland Day. 400th anniversary of his death. 

Saturday, 02/21. John Dowland performance. (Details TBD).

Tuesday, 02/24. General meeting

Tuesday, 03/10. General meeting

Tuesday, 03/24. General meeting

Tuesday, 04/14. General meeting

Saturday, 04/18. Spring Workshop. Glen Shannon leading.

Tuesday, 04/28. General meeting

Tuesday, 05/12. General meeting

Sunday, 05/17, 2pm. End-of season concert to present what we've been working on, followed by a reception.

Outreach Group

The Outreach group will meet at the church on third Tuesdays, excepting December. Keep an eye on your email for further details.

Outreach concert dates will be posted here.

Other Opportunities

The Rochester area has many early music groups presenting concerts, and there are many opportunities for recorder workshops and online classes Here are some to consider:

Early Music Groups

Pegasus Early Music (Rochester)

Musica Spei (Rochester)

Schola Cantorum (Syracuse)

NYS Baroque (Syracuse, Ithaca)

Publick Musick (Rochester)

Workshops/Seminars

American Recorder Society (see the Events section)

Highland Park Recorder Society online seminars

Amherst Early Music

Courtly Music

Musical Offerings 2025-2026

All of our classes are led by talented members of our group, all with many years of experience playing the recorder.

Intermediate/Advanced Players

Wanted:

• Recorder players willing to work on interesting, fun, challenging music.

• Must be able and willing to play and bring SATB, other recorders welcome.

• Playing in different octaves a plus but not necessary.

• Willing to work on and practice unusually and "tricky" rhythms.

• Not be afraid to ask questions.

Magical Musical Time Machine

In this class, we’ll travel across distance and time, exploring music from the Renaissance to the twentieth century. From Italy in the south to Scotland in the north, from the Old World to the New, from one-part melodies to quintets, we’ll glimpse some of the magic that music has to offer through the lens of our beloved instrument.

The class is designed for early intermediate players. Whether you play just one size recorder or can play them all, we’d love to have you explore music with us!

Rhythms and rhythm patterns

We will be using music inspired by African rhythms, composed by Soren Sieg, to learn how to read and play rhythms, from simple to complex. The focus will be on quickly analyzing the patterns, in order to facilitate sight-reading. First we will work on duets and then move on the 4 and 5-part music. 

Capability to play SATB is required. 

Sieg's music is very exciting, come and join us, you will learn new skills and have fun playing some unique music!

Recorder Basics

Are you or someone you know interested in learning to play the recorder? We strive to work with beginners in a stress-free environment that can be very rewarding to someone embarking on this musical adventure. Learn a few notes and you’ll be playing simple melodies in no time. Knowing how to read music is not required, we can get you started from step one. 

This class is also available to those wishing to switch from soprano to alto or tenor recorder.