Anniversary

2012 is the Society’s 75th anniversary year. This section gives details of the special events taking place throughout the year, and a brief history of the society with pen portraits of its early musical directors.

History

The society was founded at an inaugural meeting in 1937. Its first musical directors were Carl Dolmetsch and Edgar Hunt, joined later by Walter Bergmann and Freda Dinn. In its first year it gained about 200 members, and had its headquarters in London. After the war it introduced local branches – initially in Birminham, Bristol, Leicester, Manchester and Oxford. Since then the number of branches and the membership have grown.

For more information, see the chronology of the society.

Special Events

• Each Branch may claim an award of £150 for a Playing Day in calendar year 2012 or 2013. The award is intended to be used to cover any reasonable expense associated with the Playing Day. Branches are encouraged to run at least part of their Playing Day with a NYRO Taster Day. A Taster Day is an opportunity for young players to get a feel for what it is like to play in a recorder orchestra and to encourage them to apply for one of regular NYRO courses at Easter or in the summer. Further information can be obtained from the NYRO Administrator (Dianne Charles at nyrosrporguk).
• A special summer 2012 issue of The Recorder Magazine is being planned which, among other things, will include a specially commissioned piece of music, some reflections on the SRP’s past and a collection of photographs from the past.
• The SRP Committee has set up a small Working Group to publicise the Society’s 75th anniversary. Please contact either the Chairman (Dick Pyper) or Tessa Rolph (Nottingham) if you have any suggestions for special events or publicity.
• At Festival 2012, in Effingham near Guildford, there will be an exhibition of documents and photos relating to the Society’s 75th anniversary.
• There will be a special reception after the SRP/Moeck Competition recital in November 2012.