Venue Change: SRP/u3a Playing Day with Caroline Jones

Fri 03Jul2026

All recorder players are welcome to join this typically varied Playing Day with well known conductor Caroline Jones. Renaissance to 21st Century music with a few twists along the way. All delivered in a supportive and lively environment.

New Earswick Quaker Meeting House, White Rose Avenue, New Earswick, York YO32 4AD

10:00 - 16:00

£20.00

PLEASE NOTE VENUE CHANGE to that previously published.

Coming at the end of the u3a Festival in York we hope to link both the SRP and u3a communities. We hope to reach out to all recorder players for what promises to be a day full of beautiful music with like minded friends both old and new.

Contact: Val McCarroll,

March 2026

Fri 27 - Sun 29Mar2026

Enjoy beautiful music and develop your skills in the company of players of a similar standard, at a beautiful location set within the heart of the Lake District.

Rydal Hall, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 9LX

£340 (residential) £230 (non-residential)

Intermediate Course: 4pm Fri 27th - 3pm Sun 29th March 2026

Tutored by Mary Tyers, the overall objective of Recorders at Rydal is to have fun exploring a variety of music in a friendly, lively, enjoyably challenging yet supportive atmosphere.

Mary delights in enabling enthusiastic adult amateurs to enjoy and develop their music making. Technique, style & interpretation will be covered as they arise.

This intermediate course is suitable for players of approximately Grades 4 to 7 standard.

Lower intermediate players should be able to play more than one size of instrument but may not yet be equally secure on both F & C instruments, or may want the opportunity to develop their bass playing. Upper intermediate players should ideally be able to play all sizes of recorder (descant to bass) and be proficient sight readers. Great Bass and Contra Bass recorders are also welcome.

In addition to the tutti sessions there will be the opportunity for 2 or 3 small ensemble sessions which are usually ‘one-to-a-part’, so the ability to hold your own line, with a reasonable degree of accuracy, in music appropriate to your level, is desirable.

Please book direct with Rydal Hall, but feel free to contact Mary if you have other queries regarding the course.

Residential and day visitor rates available. Non-playing partners and friends also welcome.

See you there!

Contact: / 01539 432050

www.marytyers.co.uk/rydal-hall-courses

Fri 27 - Sun 29Mar2026

An immersive recorder ensemble playing weekend, with one of the world’s leading recorder quartets, Palisander. This course celebrates all things ensemble, with opportunities to enjoy playing in groups of varying sizes, from recorder orchestra, to consort, to one-to-a-part chamber ensemble, as well as optional technique classes. Intimate performances from Palisander are dotted throughout the weekend.

Hawkwood, Painswick Old Road, Stroud, Gloucestershire, GL6 7QW

16:00 - 16:00

From £355

The weekend is divided into varied playing sessions:
- Recorder Orchestra (Tuttis)
- Small Ensembles (divided by playing level)
- Special classes (optional)
- One-to-a-Part Chamber Ensembles (optional)

As professional recorder ensemble performers, Palisander curate this weekend to celebrate everything they love about ensemble playing in all its forms. The repertoire explored spans early Renaissance to present day, with many pieces arranged by the ensemble members specifically for the weekend.

Upon arrival, participants are invited to sign up for sessions on offer, based on their individual playing preferences and ability levels. No preparation is required. Players of any ability are welcome, and the course is tailored to participants needs.

There are several ‘tutti’ sessions, where all participants come together to form a recorder orchestra. All sizes of recorder are welcomed, from the descant to the contrabass. Members of Palisander play amongst the ensemble, and there is plenty of opportunity to swap instruments, if desired, throughout the weekend.

Multiple Small Ensemble sessions are offered concurrently, with participants able to choose between the varied genres on offer. There is always at least one more advanced and one relaxed ability session that can be chosen from in each time slot, to accommodate everyone’s playing needs. There are optional special classes focussed on specific areas of playing: ranging from beginner bass classes to playing by heart.

On Saturday evening, participants who would like to are invited to form one to a part ensembles for those interested in chamber playing, with direction from the group.

Palisander give intimate informal performances throughout the weekend.

Contact: / 01453759034

Book Here

Sat 28Mar2026

The Branch has invited Sue Handscombe to conduct us for the afternoon of 28 March. The afternoon will run from 14:30 until 16:30 with a short tea break. .

St George's Church Hall, Ongar Road, Brentwood Essex CM15 9EE

14:30 - 16:30

£5

Sue Handscombe will conduct us for the afternoon from 14:30 until 16:30, including a short tea break. (tea and cakes will be provided).

Contact: / 07929329270

playing afternoon with Sue Hanscombe

Tue 31Mar2026

Sat 04Apr2026

Our annual 4-night Easter Course will once again take place in the beautiful setting of Rugby School.

Rugby School, Barby Road, Rugby

14:00 - 16:00

£495

This relaxed and informal course includes technique and beginner bass classes as well as chamber music and recorder ensemble sessions. No audition is required and it is the perfect starting point for younger and less experienced players as well as providing playing challenges for the more advanced.

Players will work in smaller groups according to their playing level. There will also be sessions when everyone plays together. The course will culminate with a concert at Rugby School on the Saturday afternoon for families and friends. No tickets are required for the concert.

For players who live locally or have less experience of residential courses, we have provided a day student option at a lower cost. Players wishing to take this option will arrive in time for the first morning session and return to their families after the evening playing. Lunch and an evening meal are included in the day rate.

The course is suitable for players aged 10-21 and of around Grade 4 standard up to Diploma level and beyond. Parents of children who will be under the age of 10 years at the start of the course or who have not reached Grade 4 standard should consult the Administrator before booking - .

The fees are £495 for full board and £395 for day students. A non-refundable deposit of £95 is required to secure your place.

Contact:

NYRO Easter Course

April 2026

Wed 01 - Wed 08Apr2026

Week long residential recorder course at Moulton College Northampton run by Pam Smith and Jan Epps, Recorders for All. Tutors for 2026 Pam Smith, Mary Tyers, Annemarie Klein, Julie Dean, Brian Blood, Josef Manser and Janice Ormerod

Moulton College, West St, Moulton, Northampton NN3 7RR

16:30 - 16:30

£886 residential. £579 non resident

There will be 3 orchestras running for the week, an 8' conducted by Pam Smith. Intermediate Chamber with Annemarie Klein and Advanced Chamber with Mary Tyers.

There will be a choice of technique classes first thing every day, including a facsimile one with Pam.

A huge variety of ensemble sessions and gemshorns. Each evening there will be massed playing with one of the tutors.

Contact: / 01752417093

Recorders For All