|
Welcome to ARS NEWS, an e-newsletter for recorder players. Please make sure to scroll to the bottom to see upcoming virtual recorder classes and events. Enjoy!
Click here to view email as a Webpage
| | |
Prepare for Play-the-Recorder Month!
Recorder players celebrate our favorite instrument throughout March, with Play-the-Recorder Day taking place on Saturday March 21 this year. If you're in a group and planning events, we have materials that can help, and of course we have our PtRM music, "Sonata for 3 in 4" by composer David Hurd.
Click to go to our PtRM page
| | |
ARS Earns Platinum Status from Candid, a Charity Ratings Organization
The Fundraising committee, with Carol Mishler as chair, is glad to announce that in addition to its top four-star rating with Charity Navigator, ARS has obtained the highest rating of Platinum with Candid/Guidestar. We worked to earn the valuable credential so that donors know their gifts will be used in an appropriate way: to further our mission of supporting the recorder community. Click the icon to see ARS's profile.
| | |
Nominating Task Force Update
The members of the Board Member Nominating Task Force—Carol Mishler, Ruth Seib, and Susan Burns (ex officio)—have assembled an impressive slate of candidates in preparation for the 2026 ARS Board election process. The candidates, from many parts of the country, bring many different talents to help ARS continue to focus on supporting the recorder community.
Seven candidates are running to replace Board members whose terms are up in 2026, including new candidates and those running for their second four-year term:
Jamie Allen, Providence, RI*
Janith Mason, Albany, NY
Jody Miller, Marietta, GA*
Mike Richart, Harrisburg, PA
Dave Sandage, Portland, OR
Elaine Henderson, Little Rock, AR
Daniel Bruner, Rehoboth Beach, DE*
*Incumbent
Watch for more information about each candidate closer to the Spring election period, which runs from April 1 to June 1.
Please note: Since 2022, the election is conducted via electronic means. Please check that you have been receiving ARS emails (such as invoices), so that we use the correct email address to alert you to the voting process.
| | |
In Case You Missed It: Have you ever been interested in composing or arranging recorder music for your local chapter or other groups to play?
This spring, the ARS is providing a special opportunity to gain some first-hand knowledge about the process from our 2026 Play-the-Recorder-Month commissioned composer, David Hurd! Best of all, it's free!
Click to read more and register
| | |
ARS Welcomes New Members Who Joined in November and December
We are so glad you've joined! Please contact us if you have any questions about your new membership.
Stephanie Ballard, NV
Sally Bassett, BC Canada
Jacob Bizaillion, MO
Annette Bjorling, IL
Edmond Bussard, PA
Ellen Carter, AL
Susan Cloud, MD
Donna Eckert, GA
Linda Ellis, FL
Robert Emery, WI
Barbara Enos, OR
James Ewalt, IA
Charles Flesher, CO
Wendy Gale, PA
Laura Hardesty, NE
Newton Holt, CO
Deborah Holzel, ME
Thomas Iskra, MI
Rachel Krebs, MA
John Lyhus, IL
Stephen Majercik, ME
| | |
Barbara Miller, KY
Alison Mirin, AZ
Susan Okaty, VA
Rita Patterson, IA
Elaine Rubinstein, PA
Bradley Rush, FL
Gabriel Sanchez, TX
Steve Sciulli, PA
Stephen Self, WI
MX Simpkins, IL
Paula Timm-Potrykus, MI
Donald Tsusaki, MD
Gayle Vallance, BC Canada
Emory Waters, NY
Devonna Whited, AR
Joy Wyatt, NY
Eric Zaremba, OH
| | |
Patricia Petersen, ARS Distinguished Achievement Award Winner, and her husband Douglas Young have had years of engagement with recorder players from throughout the US. They have generously included ARS in their estate plans.
Click to read more
| | Checking in with Chapters, Consorts, and Recorder Orchestras | | |
Shine the spotlight on your local chapter, consort, or recorder orchestra
Starting in 2026, the ARS will begin highlighting our wonderful CCROs (chapters, consorts, and recorder orchestras) on our YouTube page. We'd love to include your videos on our YouTube page to help you gain visibility and show the world that the recorder is alive and well in communities throughout North America. If your CCRO isn't already listed in our directory (and thus eligible to submit videos), we encourage you to fill out an application. Learn about the requirements here.
Stay tuned for the complete instructions on how to submit videos of performances. In the meantime, contact Jody Miller (jodymillerars@gmail.com) for more information.
| | |
In Case You Missed It Last Time: Chapter/Consort/Recorder Orchestra leaders, please update us!
What changes have happened to your chapter that might be different from what we publicize on our website? If you are no longer meeting, or are meeting elsewhere, we'd like to know so we have accurate information. Please check your chapter's info, either by logging into its member profile and making the changes (contact us for help), or checking the info in the General Directory Search and sending an email with changes to Administrative Director Susan Burns at director@americanrecorder.org.
We have CCRO liaisons who can be reached via email with questions. You can reach them at chapterliaison@americanrecorder.org.
| | |
ARS Chapter Representative Roundtable Dates 2025-26
The ARS Chapter Rep Roundtable is back! Gather on Zoom with Phil Hollar and have a chat with your fellow leaders about what's happening in your chapter.
This year there were three Saturday meetings planned -- the first was held in September and the second in January. The next one will be held on May 16, 2026. The dates are on the ARS homepage Events Calendar.
All times are 2:00pm - 3:30pm Eastern time.
If you have a topic suggestion or haven’t been receiving announcements about the roundtables, please contact Phil Hollar.
| | |
ARS offers a webpage with all the chapters offering virtual/hybrid meetings. There are several chapters with a worldwide membership, led by world-class music directors, thanks to the wonders of Zoom.
(Is your group offering virtual meetings but not on the list? Email us!)
| | |
A Brief Reminder of ARS Scholarship & Grant Deadlines
Chapter and Recorder Orchestra Grants: These grants are awarded to Chapters or Recorder Orchestras to supplement membership-enhancing programs.
Deadline: May 15, to be used after September 1
Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA) Grants: Any chapter, recorder orchestra, or consort may apply. Partner Workshops and Businesses are also eligible. Apply anytime.
Traveling Teacher Program: Recorder communities without a recorder teacher in their area may apply for a grant to cover a professional teacher's traveling costs. Deadline: May 1, to be used after September 1
Weekend Workshop Scholarships: Apply six weeks before funding is needed. Virtual events are also eligible for funding, as long as the amounts do not exceed stated limits.
Workshop Scholarships: Any member who needs financial assistance to attend a week-long workshop may apply for this scholarship.
Deadline: May 15 for spring/summer workshops. For events in the fall or winter, six weeks before workshop date
| | |
Multiple Options
with Tish Berlin
Both sessions are on Tuesdays, Jan 27 - Feb 24 (5 weeks)
1) Bach on the Bass: Two-Part Inventions
10 - 11:15 AM, PT
J.S. Bach's two-part inventions and three-part sinfonias provide us with a wonderful collection of pieces to play! We'll make decisions on range issues and exercise our skills on switching from bass to treble clef, along with working on good bass technique.
For bass recorder players.
2) All-Zoom Practice Challenge: Making Friends with French Baroque Music
1:15 - 2:30 PM, PT
French Baroque music can seem like a foreign language - maybe you've wondered about the suites and the art of ornamenting them. Boismortier, Hotteterre, Dieupart, and others offer a wealth of beautiful music to discover. We'll practice some of the French agréments in context so they become second nature.
For alto recorder players.
Cost: $25 per class or $125 for all 5 classes.
Email Tish at tishberlin@sbcglobal.net for more information and to register.
| |  | |
Paws and Tails: Music from the Glogauer Liederbuch
with Annette Bauer
Wednesdays, Feb 4, 11, 18, and 25; 5:45 - 7 PM, ET
Written in the 1480s, the Glogauer Liederbuch is a collection of music containing over 300 secular and sacred songs, as well as instrumental pieces. It is also the earliest surviving source written in part books (cantus, tenor, contratenor), and is an important source for mid to late 15th-century repertoire. The source contains a mix of Latin church music, German-texted songs, dances & quodlibets, and a number of textless chansons. We will focus primarily on pieces with animal references in their titles.
Prerequisites: The Wednesdays series is geared towards more experienced readers of early notation, who have at the minimum completed my two introductory series, or possess equivalent knowledge. If in doubt, feel free to contact me to see if this series would be right for you.
Cost: $100 for the 4-class series
How to register: Please contact annette.bauer@gmail.com for more information and to register.
| | |
Baroque Tunes Workshops
with Debby Greenblatt
Tues, Feb 10 at 7 PM, CT
Wed, Feb 11 at 10 AM, CT
Fri, Feb 13 at 7 PM, CT
*Different pieces will be played at each session.
During these workshops we will play and discuss tunes from the "Baroque Fiddle Tunes for Two" series.
Cost: $15 per class; additional $15 for the optional book "Baroque Fiddle Tunes"
For more information and to register, visit their website.
| | | |
SHORT COURSE: Spring Reset
with Anne Timberlake
Tuesdays, Mar 3, 10, 17, and 24 at 4 PM, CT
Are you ready for a fresh start for your recorder playing? Does your music-making feel too tense or effortful? Would you like to play the recorder with more ease and joy? In this live, four-week small group short course, we’ll review core principles of recorder technique, identify unhelpful habits, and work through an exercise program designed to help you build or rebuild the foundation for great playing!
Cost: $99
To register, visit my website:
This course is appropriate for all levels.
| | |
North American Virtual Recorder Society presents their February Playing Meeting
with the Early Music Guild of Oregon
When: Saturday, February 21, 2 - 3:30 PM, ET
Cost: NAVRS Membership is $20 and each playing session is $15.
Your first playing meeting is free and membership is not required.
The Eagle's Force: A variety of selections from England, Ireland, France, Iberia, Denmark, and Transylvania celebrating the number 5 and the letter E (the 5th letter). This session will be led by Gayle Neuman, Phil Neuman, and Laura Kuhlman from the Early Music Guild of Oregon, and the featured music comes from both Renaissance and traditional sources. Composers will include East, Byrd, Brachrogge, Connellan, and Anonymous!
For more information and to register, visit the NAVRS website.
| | |
Amherst Early Music Online Classes
February 2026
Saturday, February 7:
1 - 2:30 PM, ET: "The Secret of Sound" with Saskia Coolen, recorder
3 - 4:30 PM, ET: "Mattheson Trios" with Heloise Degrugillier, recorder
Sunday, February 8:
1 - 2:30 PM, ET "Be My (Robert) Valentine" with Na'ama Lion, flute and recorder
3 - 4:30 PM, ET "English Tunes in Jacob van Eyck's Der Fluyten Lusthof with Rainer Beckmann, recorder
For class descriptions and to register, visit the AEM website.
| | |
Want to Share Your News?
The deadline for this e-newsletter is the 20th of each month. To submit your news using an online form, please go to https://americanrecorder.org/newsform. You may also email an article and photos. We love to hear stories of how the recorder community is still going strong. Send any of the types of news items you have seen in the paper newsletter or past ARS NEWS emails. Digital photos are welcome, as are digital videos for YouTube (DropBox or Google Drive suggested). Send your articles/photos to newsletter@americanrecorder.org.
Want to Share Your Upcoming Events?
Virtual events can be publicized by emailing Jennifer Carpenter. In-person events can be publicized using our online Event Calendar submission form (only ARS members may submit). Event info will appear in the calendar on the ARS homepage.
The deadline for ARS NEWS (this publication) is the 20th of the month. Send news to Susan Burns and event information to Jennifer Carpenter. ARS NEWS is emailed the last Tuesday of every month, with occasional exceptions.
Newsletter editors and publicity officers for Chapters, Consorts & Recorder Orchestras should make sure that your regular communications like e-newsletters are sent to the ARS office.
| | |
Do you enjoy our ARS NEWS emails? Be a part of it and submit your news story here!
If you've received this from a friend, sign up for your own monthly subscription to ARS NEWS or to ARS NOVA, our monthly e-mag, using this link.
| | |
Not a member yet?
Join ARS!
Take advantage of our half-price rate for new members. You will receive immediate access to all the information available on our website, as well as other member benefits including the quarterly American Recorder magazine. The first year is half price -- just $30 for a Standard membership. Members can gift a half-price membership to a friend.
Learn more
| | | | | |
