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. 

Affiliate Membership of the Society is available to recorder orchestras and other groups, the current annual cost being £50. This covers the Society’s year from 1 September to 31 August and 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 an SRP email address. To join or to renew your affiliate membership or if you have any questions, please contact

This page lists all the recorder groups that we know about.  Affiliated groups are marked with an asterisk. For more details see their websites (where provided) or contact those listed below. If you would like your group listed, please contact

Courses and Playing Days run by these groups are also included on the Courses Page

Conductors: Tom Beets and Joris Van Goethem

Air-Force is now a well-oiled machine that tours the world with Tom Beets and Joris Van Goethem at the helm. It is usually a one day recorder orchestra event, which you can sign up for as you please.  Air-Force lands in Elstree, Herts or East Horsley, Surrey; three times a year on a Sunday.  There is a chamber orchestra (one to a part) and a larger orchestra.  You need to be at least “diploma level” standard for the chamber orchestra and around grade 5 and above for the larger orchestra.  The music is sent out a few weeks in advance so that you can practise your part before the day. It is a wonderful day of playing, in a friendly atmosphere.  We end the day by playing to each other.

contact: Josée Beeson
e-mail:
website: http://www.flanders-recorder-quartet.be/en/air-force/

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
email:

Belper Recorders Players (BRP) is a friendly group of 15+ players, which is open to new members of intermediate standard. We meet twice a month and employ a musical director. We play a variety of music arranged for SATB (from Baroque to the Beatles!) and we perform two or three times a year in support of local charities and events. Annually in May during the Belper Arts Fringe festival we run an open workshop.

email:

Musical Director: Jane Minns

Based in South East England, the Berkshire Recorder Consort (BRC) was formed early in 1979. Our repertoire ranges from Early Music to contemporary composers encompassing a wide range of musical styles.

website: http://www.recorderconsort.co.uk/

We are five players, SATB + bass viol, and meet every Friday at 6pm at the Old Chapel, Bishampton, Worcestershire.  We have been playing together for about two years now and play to an intermediate standard.  New members of the group would be very welcome.

Contact: Mobile: 07896151376

Bonhoeffer Recorder Group

Dietrich Bonhoeffer Church, Dacres Road, Forest Hill London SE23

Course Fees: £140 per term
We are a small group of adults, playing a wide range of music in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere under the guidance of tutor Julie Dean. As this is an intermediate/advanced level ensemble, a reasonable standard of technique and sight-reading is expected, together with the ability to play one-to-a-part. Players play various recorder sizes. Why not come and join us on Monday evenings during term time.

If you are interested, come along for a session to find out more – or come to our next concert!

Further Information:
Website: www.recordergroupslondon.co.uk 
Email: Julie Dean ()

Conductor: Helen Whomersley

This is a friendly group of about 16 players formed in the autumn of 2012 under the auspices of the local U3A.
We meet on Monday mornings near Truro and enjoy playing a wide variety of music, mainly S.A.T.B but with occasional larger basses.

contact: Helen Whomersley
email:

D.A.R.E. the Dulverton Adult Recorder Ensemble for approx Grade 5+ standard.

D.A.R.B.E. the Dulverton Adult Recorder Beginners Ensemble for approx Grade 2-4 standard.

The Ensembles alternate Wednesday Mornings 11.45am on a fortnightly basis with breaks for some of the school holidays. Dates list available.

Venue: All Saints Church, Dulverton, Exmoor.

Music is supplied or emailed directly to you and our members are very
friendly, welcoming and fun.

CONTACT: Miss Arwen Lewis

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
website: https://www.srp.org.uk/eastern-recorder-orchestra

Conductor: Sheila Richards

The orchestra, conducted by Sheila Richards was formed in 2016.  It normally rehearses on the third Sunday of the month from 2pm to 5pm at St Giles Community Hall, Main Road, Balderton NG24 3NN – just outside Newark, Nottinghamshire.  Prospective members should have a good standard of playing and sight-reading and be prepared to play any of the usual sizes of instrument (descant, treble, tenor or bass) as required.

contact: Sheila Richards
email:
website: https://sheilarichardsmusic.com/ensembles/east-midlands-recorder-orchestra/

Conductor: Michael Graham

Founded by Dorothy Thomas and Michael Graham in 2013, this chamber orchestra of Intermediate-Advanced players enjoys a varied repertoire of historical and contemporary works.  One-to-a-part playing is strongly encouraged.  Rehearsals are usually the first Sunday of the month with a charity concert held in June every year.

contact: Michael Graham
email:

The orchestra was formed in 2004 to play larger scale and more adventurous works specifically arranged or composed for the orchestral format.

contact:Rachael Shearmur 01626 890617, 07960 103 394
email:
website: http://www.exeterrecorderorchestra.org.uk

Our founder Alan Hamilton writes:

The Galliard Band came into being when a friend asked me to organise some recorder players to perform at her wedding reception. From there we went on to make music in National Trust properties, churches, theatres, museums, care homes and drop-in centres. We have collaborated with choirs, harpists, madrigal groups, lutenists, guitarists and clarinet players. Our repertoire spans the vast range of styles that make up the recorder’s seven centuries of history; and we add our own contribution to the mix with original arrangements and compositions.

We’re not loud enough to fill the Albert Hall, but we can make music to delight you in any reasonable sized venue.

The Galliard Band playing Scott Joplin’s Magnetic Rag

contact:

Conductor: Anne Martin

The Gremlin recorder players meet every two months at Clarebrand Village Hall, near Castle Douglas.  We have a dozen core members, ranging in age from 13 to retired and playing the full range of instruments.  We play music from the renaissance to contemporary compositions under the guidance of Anne Martin.

New members are always welcome – please contact Ian Johnston at  for details of forthcoming sessions.

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
email:
website: http://www.hampshirerecordersinfonia.org.uk

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: Ann Tempest
e-mail:
website: http://www.heart-of-england-recorder-orchestra.org.uk

Chief Conductor: Helen Hooker

More an evening class than a performance group, meeting on Wednesdays from 7:45 – 9:45 at St. John’s Church Annexe, Lemsford, Welwyn Garden City, AL8 7TT.  Reasonably confident players are very welcome – come and try us out.

contact: the treasurer, Jim Grant 01923 461834
e-mail:
website: https://www.srp.org.uk/hersom-consort

Conductor: Debbie Nicholas

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:
website: http://www.jerrome.org.uk

The LRO has 30-40 members and welcomes new players with a good standard of playing and sight-reading.  Meetings in Clapham, London SW4.

contact: Carla Hales 01206 579516
e-mail:
website: https://sheilarichardsmusic.com/ensembles/london-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:
website: http://www.freewebs.com/manrecorc

The UK’s only regularly rehearsing eight foot orchestra, directed by Helen Hooker. Featuring only recorders from the tenor downwards, METRO has wonderfully lush sound – mellow by name, mellow by nature! We meet quarterly in Hertfordshire to play repertoire specially composed and arranged for eight foot forces, including new works from Marg Hall, John Hawkes, Steve Marshall, David Moses and Stephen Watkins.

Contact Helen Hooker 07973 796512  

www.helenhooker.co.uk/metro 

The Nene Consort is a friendly, established recorder group in Northamptonshire.

We are looking for new members to join us. We play a variety of music and usually perform two or three times a year. New members must be willing to play, or to learn to play, different instruments. We have some bass instruments available to use. We meet on Wednesday evenings in Brixworth.

If you are interested, please contact Mary Cooper at  or 07977882493

Northampton Recorder Group is a well-established, friendly group who meet monthly to play music together. We have two in-house conductors, who share the responsibility between them. We also have visiting guest conductors from time to time.

We meet on the 2nd Saturday of each month, at 2pm, at Camp Hill Community Centre, Dayrell Road, Northampton, NN4 9RR.

We welcome all new players, on any instrument.

Please contact Neil:  or Michelle:

NRG’s website is: https://sites.google.com/view/northamptonrecordergroup/home

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:

Conductor: Jane Edis

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: Elaine Martin 07939 036726
e-mail:
website: http://www.crotchets-end.co.uk/pro.html

Conductor: Michelle Holloway

The Phoenix Recorder Orchestra was formed in 2003 and mostly consists of players from the South West.  Our conductor is Michelle Holloway.

We also have a chamber orchestra of 10-14 players which meets in the morning before main orchestra rehearsals; it performs with the full orchestra but also gives separate performances.

Both groups play a wide range of repertoire on the full range of recorders, which blend to give a beautiful, rich sound.

We are actively recruiting players of bass, and larger, recorders. If you are interested in joining us, or you would like to know more please contact:

website: http://www.phoenixrecorderorchestra.org.uk

Recorders at Plymouth is an independent recorder group who meet once a month throughout the year.  We play a wide variety of music and have visiting conductors from all over the Country.  Visitors are always welcome to attend the playing days which are usually on the first Saturday of the month.

contact: Jan Epps
email: 
website: http://www.recordersatplymouth.org.uk

Conductor: Tom Beets

Recorders Incorporated meets once a year for four days in early January.  We rehearse intensively and then do a concert on the final evening.  We are a group of around 18 players who are lucky to have Tom Beets lead and conduct us.  Players need to be around Diploma level standard. We play a mixture of styles from modern recorder orchestral works to renaissance and jazz.

contact: Josée Beeson
e-mail:

New players would be very welcome to this group which meets between 7pm and 9pm on Wednesdays (usually in 10 week sessions but omitting the second Wednesday of every month).  The venue is the Methodist Church Hall on Bailgate, Lincoln near to the archway. 

We play mainly Renaissance and Baroque music with additional opportunity to enjoy exciting original compositions! A reasonable standard of sight reading is desirable. There are currently about twelve members, both from Lincoln itself and the surrounding area. 

Cost usually works out at about £50 per term. 

For further details please contact the musical director, Richard Lindsay, on 01522 527391 or .

Musical Director: Ian Wilson

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: Jackie Hawkins
e-mail: 
website: http://www.sro.org.uk

Severn Recorders is a small friendly ensemble, meeting fortnightly on a Thursday morning, in Stourport on Severn in Worcestershire. It was set up to encourage people who had played the recorder in the past to take it up again and we now have SATB players. New members are welcome but it isn’t suitable for complete beginners.

contact: Ruth Churn  07825 877431
email:

Shrewsbury Consort Of Recorders is an independent group of players who meet at St Chad’s Church Hall in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month (except August and the last week in December).  From April 2018 our new musical director is Richard Duncan.  We play a variety of music arranged for recorders of all sizes from sopranino to contrabass.  In addition, twice a year, the Consort arranges Recorders Galore, an intermediate level playing day open to all comers led by a variety of visiting conductors.

contact: Chris Green 01743 367120
email:  website: http://shrewsburyrecorders.org.uk

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 07973 796512
e-mail:
website: http://www.tvro.org.uk

Musical Director: Katherine Jones

Tonbridge North Recorders are a friendly group of about 10 -15 recorder players directed by Katherine, a professional oboe and recorder player and teacher.  We meet on Monday evenings in a church hall in Tonbridge, from 8-10 pm to play a wide variety of music.  We follow school terms, usually with 10 meetings for each of the Autumn, Spring and Summer terms. If you are interested in joining us, please contact us for more information.  You should be able to sight-read music at an intermediate level and preferably play at least 2 of the four standard instruments.

email: 

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:
website: http://www.wirralrecorderorchestra.org.uk

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: Evelyn Nallen 01223 561331
e-mail:
website: http://www.zero-gravity.org.uk

Last updated 3 October 2024