American Recorder Society: Redding Chapter

Playing the recorder is fun!

December 3rd, 2011 Christmas concert: Courthouse Museum
Barbara C. (left) and Kay (right) perform at the California State Historic Park in Old Shasta.  The event was "Old-Time Holiday in the Parks."
In 2011, the entire Reveling Recorders ensemble performed. See below.

(P.S. This duo picture looks just like last year's, but it isn't.
Barbara was on the right and Kay was on the left.)

Redding Chapter, American Recorder Society
Kay Hettich, Director
Barbara Condon, Assistant Director

♫♫♫ We would love to play for YOUR event or  service organization! ♫♫♫

Contact Kay for music, rate information, and scheduling:  (530) 241-8107

Click:  Ensembles in the Redding Chapter
Click:  Redding Chapter Events

Link: Ensemble pages for Brief History and how to join classes.

Recorder Classes at the Senior Citizens' Hall, Redding, CA.
Kay teaches recorder classes twice a year on Friday mornings (in April and October). Classes are FREE, but a person must join the Hall ($10 dues).
"Graduates" of the novice class may join the Castle Musicians (novice ensemble) of the ARS Redding Chapter to continue lessons.

ARS Redding Chapter...
                  Come join us!

The Castle Musicians (Novice Ensemble)
Reveling Recorders (Advanced Novice Ensemble)
Willow Wind Consort (Intermediate and Advanced Ensemble)

The Castle Musicians: A novice  ensemble, for recorder players playing primarily from a method book. Focus is on basic skills. Currently meets for group lessons. SAT recorders. (See Ensembles #1 and #2 Web Page.)

Repertoire:  Unison playing and simple part music. Teach Yourself To Play The Recorder (method book with CD) and "Best Yet" Recorder Books. Supplemental music:  English Renaissance, American heritage, and Christmas music.

Meets:  Alternate Thursdays in Shasta Lake City at 1:00 PM.
This ensemble is a continuation of the recorder classes at the Senior Citizens' Hall (Benton Drive). The group currently has two enthusiastic, talented players!

Steve Solorio, of the Castle Musicians, plays with other ARS Redding members at The Vistas retirement community on Dec. 20th, 2011. Steve started playing recorder through lessons at the the Senior Center in 2008.

Reveling Recorders: An advanced novice ensemble. Players read music easily and play one or more recorders (soprano, alto, and/or tenor). (See Ensembles #1 and #2 Web Page.)

Meets: Alternate Tuesdays in Redding at 1:00 PM, (alternating Tuesdays with the Willow Wind Consort)
In 2012, this ensemble is improving ensemble skills and playing quartet repertoire.

Reveling Recorders performs at the Courthouse Museum. The ensemble consists of Diana S. (in blue) and Joan Z. (right), joined by Kay and Barbara (left)--an "awesome" quartet. The performance on December 3rd, 2011 included guest cellist, Holly Carpentier (center). Joan also played keyboard for the event.

 The Willow Wind Consort: An intermediate and advanced intermediate ensemble, playing and performing standard recorder literature on multiple Renaissance & Baroque instruments.  Fluent sight-reading required. Baroque repertoire is inspiring, and it challenges us to work on technique. (See Ensembles #2 Web Page).

Repertoire:  Performs German, French, English, Italian, Spanish, Iberian, and Irish repertoire--from Medieval through contemporary periods. A dynamic duo!

Meets: Every other Tuesday, 1:00 PM  in Redding (alternating Tuesdays with the Reveling Recorders). 

Willow Wind Consort:  Kay and Barbara C.

♫ Redding Chapter News  ♫

Upcoming Events:

Kay plays at The Best Little Sandwich Shop
Stop by this fabulous Deli at 2255 Eureka Way in Redding, CA 96001 for the best (and biggest) sandwiches! It's on the west side of town along Route 299 (Eureka Way) heading toward Weaverville; next to Ace Hardware.
Enjoy your sandwich and live recorder music!

Earlier and Other Noteworthy Events:

♫  Christmas/Holiday Concert at The Vistas
December 20th, 2011; 2-3PM
The ARS Redding Chapter performed at The Vistas retirement community in Redding. We are grateful to use their Recreation Room for rehearsals each week. Our concert was a "Thank you!" to the staff and residents.

♫  Renaissance Wedding reception
December 10th, 2011; Holiday Inn, Redding, CA
Kay and Barbara (Willow Wind Consort) performed Christmas carols and authentic Renaissance music--in costume--at a wedding reception. A lovely venue!

 ♫   CA State Historic Park: Annual "Holiday in the Parks"
Saturday, December 3rd, 2011; 11AM - 4:30 PM
Kay began this day with piano music--a performance of Christmas carols (arr. by David Lanz) and Mozart Piano Sonatas. Kay performed on the historic square piano in the Museum's Art Gallery.

Then the Reveling Recorders performed from 1:30-4:30 PM. Kay, Barbara Condon, Diana Stockwell, and Joan Zumwalt (Reveling Recorders ensemble) performed in the Courthouse Museum. Holly Carpentier was guest cellist; Joan played keyboard for many selections. Christmas music, Henry Purcell, Thomas Morley, and Baroque Pastorales were highlights.

♫  ARS Redding Chapter Christmas & Holiday Candlelight Concert;
December 2nd, 2011; 7 - 8:30 PM
Trinity Lutheran Church, Fellowship Hall
This year's program was a tour de force of Christmas carols and Baroque music with Joan on keyboard and guest cellist, Holly Carpentier. The program was a preview of the next day's concert at the Courthouse Museum. Congratulations ARS Redding!

♫  RECORDER FEST 2011: sponsored by ARS Redding Chapter  September 1st - 3rd, 2011; (Thu-Sat Labor Day weekend)
Trinity Lutheran Church, Fellowship Hall
The 2011 Recorder Fest was the first of what we hope will become an annual event. The Fest is open to recorder players, singers, and instrumentalists.
 
Special guests were Dave and Alicia Abell--recorder and harpsichord, respectively--from Arcata, CA.  Dave also attended the 2011 Baroque Workshop.  Alden Bailey, from Redding's Bella Voce Singers, was guest tenor. There were five playing sessions of two hours each over three days. Music included a wide spectrum of Renaissance, Baroque, and traditional folk.
 
Besides music, there were collective, scenic lunches and dinners, including an unforgettable musical afternoon plus barbecue. The Fest was a memorable three days for all! Thank you to everyone who made the event happen!
Our guests are welcome to return. Anyone reading this column who might be interested in the 2012 Recorder Fest may contact Kay.

♫  Baroque Workshop; June 26th-July 2nd, 2011
San Francisco Early Music Society
Kay was an American Recorder Society scholarship recipient and attended the Baroque Workshop to study with Marion Verbruggen and Frances Blaker. Kay learned several key points to share with ARS Redding. Within a month of her return to Redding, Kay was invited to perform on a regular basis at the restaurant/deli. (See above)

♫   SFEMS Baroque Workshop: June 2008

♫  SFEMS Recorder Workshop: July 2006

♫ Project: Recorders for Children ♫

Does your child play the recorder?
Kay would like to form children's recorder groups to provide musical instruction for children.  Some children learn the recorder in school, but lack a place to develop ensemble experience. 

If your child plays the recorder and you would like to know more about playing in a group, please contact Kay (530) 241-8107.

Are you planning a visit to the Redding area?  Call Kay or send an e-mail in advance to attend a rehearsal.

Contact the American Recorder Society.

You are invited...to visit a rehearsal if you would like to learn to play the recorder.

You can start playing the recorder with or without previous musical background.