Recorder Orchestras

Introduction

Large groups of recorders playing together probably go back to the 16th Century, but the modern development started in Germany in the 1950s, and in the UK in the 1970s. The 1990s saw an expansion but the real explosion has been during the first decade of this century. More detail about the development of the recorder orchestra can be found here.

Affiliate Membership of the Society is available to Recorder Orchestras, the current annual cost being £44 (covers the Society’s year from 1 September to 31 August).

For this you receive two copies of the Recorder Magazine, and also the benefit of the Society’s public liability insurance (only for England, Scotland and Wales). In addition you can if you wish have web pages on this site and and an SRP email address. To join or to renew your affiliate membership please complete this application form. If you have any questions, please contact the Country & Overseas Branch Secretary (cossrporguk).

This page lists orchestras affiliated to the society, and also other recorder orchestras that we know about. For more details see their websites (click the orchestra name if it is highlighted) or contact those listed below. If you would like your orchestra listed, please contact the web editor  (webeditsrporguk)  .

Recorder Orchestra Courses and Playing Days are also included on the Courses Page

Orchestras Affiliated to SRP

Aberdeen Chamber Recorder Orchestra	Contact: Ed Friday e-mail: Recorder_1Hotmailcom
Arden Recorder Orchestra Conductor Caroline Jones	ARO aims to give advanced recorder players more opportunity to perform together. Meetings held near Rugby in Warwickshire.  Minimum standard is diploma level.
	contact: Caroline Jones 01788 812223, e-mail carolinejonesrecordershotmailcom
Dunorlan Recorders Conductor Peter Bowman	Meets in Tonbridge, Kent, on Monday evenings in term time.
	contact : Ursula Burchette  01732 354763, e-mail ulliburchettegmailcom  (ulliburchettegmailcom)
Eastern Recorder Orchestra Conductor Moira Usher	For players of at least Grade 6 or equivalent ability.  We play challenging music from all genres and ages, with a concert in June.  Meetings in Bentley near Ipswich.
	contact: Chris Blanch  01449 612156 e-mail chrisblanchtiscalicouk  (chrisblanchtiscalicouk)
Exeter Recorder Orchestra	The orchestra was formed in 2004 to play larger scale and more adventurous works specifically arranged or composed for the orchestral format.
	contact: 01392 275653 or 01392 491425
Hampshire Recorder Sinfonia Musical Director Christopher Burgess	HRS members are as diverse and versatile as their instruments – with professional musicians, gifted students and enthusiastic and talented amateurs.  Their common aim…the pursuit of excellence and the enjoyment of good music.
	contact: Christopher Burgess 01489 891873 or Penny Smith 01329 834297
Heart of England Recorder Orchestra Conductor Chris Orton	An expanding group of enthusiastic and experienced players of all ages, meeting in Coventry, from as far afield as Yorkshire and Bedfordshire.
	contact: Beryl Craven 01455 553703 e-mail sabacravenuwclubnet  (sabacravenuwclubnet)
Jerrome Recorders	Jerrome Recorders is based in Bath and plays all sizes of instrument, from sopranino to contrabass. Our repertoire includes music from the fifteenth century to the present day.
	contact: Debbie Nicholas 01453 845328 e-mail: infojerromeorguk
London Recorder Orchestra	The LRO has 30-40 members and welcomes new players with a good standard of playing and sight-reading.  Meetings in Clapham, LondonSW4.
	contact: Alistair Read 020 8693 4319 e-mail: jareaduptoncourtorangehomecouk
The Manchester Recorder Orchestra	The MRO has given concerts at the Royal Northern College of Music since soon after its formation in 1982.  It also plays by invitation at other venues, which have included concerts in Bradford, Buxton, Coventry, Stretford and Manchester Cathedral.
	contact: Ian Chesters 0161 483 5719 e-mail: joinmro-onlinecouk  (joinmro-onlinecouk)
The North East Recorder Orchestra Conductor John Hawkes	NERCO was formed in 2004 to enable recorder players in North East England to play some of the large repertoire available for recorder orchestras. At present it has some 30+ members playing the full range of recorders from sopranino to contrabass.
	contact: John Hawkes 01661 822909 e-mail johnhawkestiscalicouk
Peregrine Recorder Orchestra Musical Director Ian Farquhar	The Peregrine Recorder Orchestra is a friendly group of some 20 recorder players.  Meetings held every 2 weeks on Thursday evenings at Ickwell Village Hall, Bedfordshire.
	contact: Ian Farquhar 01767 627665 e-mail: ian-2010peregrine-recorder-orchestraorguk
Scottish Recorder Orchestra Conductor Eileen Silcocks	SRO was founded in 2002 and has about 60 members from all parts of Scotland.  We rehearse once a month in Stirling, and perform concerts around Scotland and elsewhere.
	contact: Jill Taylor 01360 310154 e-mail: treasurersroorguk  (treasurersroorguk)
Thames Valley Recorder Orchestra Musical Director Helen Hooker	TVRO is always keen to welcome new players at grade 6 level or above.  Rehearsals one Sunday afternoon per month near Reading, Berkshire.
	contact: Helen Hooker 01243 537398 e-mail: infotvroorguk
Wirral Recorder Orchestra Conductor Grace Barton	WRO was founded in 1998 to encourage recorder players from all over the North West to play in an orchestral setting.  Rehearsals on one Saturday each month in Birkenhead.
	contact: Diane Barton e-mail: dianebartonmusictalktalknet
Zero Gravity Recorder Orchestra Musical Director Evelyn Nallen	Zero Gravity is a Cambridge-based music group directed by Evelyn Nallen.  Consisting primarily of recorder players, the group has a unique sound and performs a variety of music, from baroque to modern.  Guest performers help to create a thrilling sound.
	contact: Vic Morris 01763 209031 e-mail: viczero-gravityorguk

Other Recorder Orchestras

Orchestra on the Hill Conductor Steve Marshall	The Orchestra on the Hill was established in 2008 to provide a recorder orchestra experience for players of modest technical ability. What started as a tentative experiment has blossomed into a regular and friendly ensemble of about 30 players, which has a great time producing music that benefits from a firm foundation of great basses and contrabasses. The orchestra is conducted by Steve Marshall (and Helen Hooker has been a guest conductor twice). The orchestra plays once a month on Sunday afternoon, not far from Gloucester. We are always keen to welcome new players, of any instrument. You will be able to enjoy the music as long as you can read music a little, but if you are unsure come along anyway – we are very nice and unthreatening!
	Contact: Steve or Ann Marshall e-mail: steveandannmarshallhotmailcom  (steveandannmarshallhotmailcom)  .
Phoenix Recorder Orchestra Conductor Pam Smith	The Phoenix Recorder Orchestra was formed at the end of 2003. Our members come from as far afield as Chipping Norton, Abergavenny, Newquay and Chichester. We explore the recorder orchestra repertoire, from the 12th century right up to the present day. We use the entire range of recorders, from the tiny 6″ garklein to the gigantic 9′ sub-contrabass, and this gives a rich and beautiful sound. The orchestra’s conductor is Pam Smith, who is well known throughout the country as an inspirational and dynamic leader of recorder ensembles. Membership of the orchestra is by invitation, but if you would like to find out more about it please email Steve Marshall
	Contact: Steve Marshall email: stevesteveandannfsworldcouk
Recorders Incorporated Conductor Eileen Silcocks	Recorders Incorporated are part of the relatively recent phenomenon of recorder orchestras that have sprung up throughout Europe. They are a chamber orchestra of twenty or so advanced players from around the UK.
	Contact: Eileen Silcocks e-mail: infoeileensilcockscouk
Rugby Recorder Ensemble	contact : Caroline Jones 01788 812223 e-mail carolinejonesrecordershotmailcom