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 £35 (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). For details, contact Country & Overseas Branch Secretary (cos
srp
orguk)
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
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Arden Conductor |
ARO aims to give advanced recorder players more opportunity to perform together. Meetings held nearRugby in Warwickshire. Minimum standard is diploma level. |
| contact: Caroline Jones 01788 812223, e-mail carolinejonesrecorders hotmailcom |
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Dunorlan Recorders Conductor |
Meets inTonbridge,Kent, on Monday evenings in term time. |
| contact : Ursula Burchette 01732 354763, e-mail ulli burchettegmailcom (ulliburchettegmailcom) |
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Eastern Conductor |
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 chrisblanch tiscalicouk (chrisblanchtiscalicouk) |
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| 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 | |
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Musical Director |
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 | |
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Heart of England Conductor |
An expanding group of enthusiastic and experienced players of all ages, meeting inCoventry, from as far afield asYorkshireand Bedfordshire. |
| contact: Beryl Craven 01455 553703 e-mail sabacraven uwclubnet (sabacravenuwclubnet) |
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| Jerrome Recorders is based inBathand 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: info jerromeorguk |
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| 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: jaread uptoncourtorangehomecouk |
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| 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: join mro-onlinecouk (joinmro-onlinecouk) |
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The North East Conductor |
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 johnhawkes tiscalicouk |
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Musical Director |
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-2010 peregrine-recorder-orchestraorguk |
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Rugby |
contact : Caroline Jones 01788 812223 e-mail carolinejonesrecorders hotmailcom |
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Conductor |
SRO was founded in 2002 and has about 60 members from all parts ofScotland. We rehearse once a month in Stirling, and perform concerts aroundScotlandand elsewhere. |
| contact: Jill Taylor 01360 310154 e-mail: treasurer sroorguk (treasurersroorguk) |
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Thames Valley Musical Director |
TVRO is always keen to welcome new players at grade 6 level or above. Rehearsals one Sunday afternoon per month nearReading, Berkshire. |
| contact: Helen Hooker 01243 537398 e-mail: info tvroorguk |
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Conductor |
WRO was founded in 1998 to encourage recorder players from all over theNorth West to play in an orchestral setting. Rehearsals on one Saturday each month in Birkenhead. |
| contact: Diane Barton e-mail: dianebartonmusic talktalknet |
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Zero Gravity Musical Director |
Zero Gravity is a Cambridgebased 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: vic zero-gravityorguk |
Other Recorder Orchestras
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! For more information, contact Steve or Ann at steveandannmarshallhotmailcom (steveandannmarshallhotmailcom) .
