Portland Recorder Society January Newsletter

Vol.1 No. 5

January, 2009

The next playing session will be Friday, Jan.16th, 2009.

Be ready to play at 7:30pm in the Community Room of the Kennedy School, 5736 NE 33rd Ave., Portland, OR. Bring music stands and stand lights if you have them. For more information, go to our website.

In This Issue

Article Headline

Volunteer Thanks

Need Volunteers

Membership Info

Upcoming Events

Classified Ads

Links

Go to our Website

Become a Member

Register for Columbia Gorge Early Music Retreat

American Recorder Society

Not currently receiving this newsletter each month? Sign up HERE

All our professional coaches are available for private lessons and ensemble coaching.

Please contact them directly for scheduling at the links below.

Vicki Boeckman

Eileen Hadidian

Phil Neuman

Gayle Neuman

Kim Pineda

Bryce Peltier

Hello Recorder enthusiasts!

I hope the New Year finds you well, and the weather a bit more manageable! I was so disappointed to have to cancel the December playing session, but thanks to your feedback, I know it was the right decision.

The good news is that we will add an extra month to the end of the season. May will now be a regular playing session with Vicki Boeckman conducting, and June will be a Member's Night Extravaganza! We want to have a party and hear all our ensembles play in a supportive, low-stress setting. What better New Year's resolution than to start practicing for that event! More details to come, but now is the time to start choosing music...go for it!

Our other news is that Eileen Hadidian has suffered a debilitating neck injury that will prevent her from flying to Portland to conduct our January session. Our healing recorder music will go out to her under the baton of Gayle Neuman who has agreed to step in at short notice (read more below).

Best wishes to all,
Zoe

Upcoming Playing Sessions

Jan. 16, 2009, Gayle Neuman conducts
Feb. 20, 2009, Eileen Hadidian conducts
March 27-30 2009, Columbia Gorge Early Music Retreat - no session this month.
April 17, 2009, Vicki Boeckman conducts
May 22, 2009, Vicki Boeckman conducts
June 19, 2009, Member's Night Extravaganza

Adson, Britten, Gabrieli, Oh My!

Hello all!

I'm looking forward to directing the upcoming PRS session on January 16th! I have just finished a fun series of holiday concerts with The Trail Band and The Oregon Renaissance Band, started the 29th year of the recorder, renaissance wind, and renaissance song classes at the Community Music Center, and now that 2009 is here, the time is perfect to delve into some new repertoire.

We'll start with a set of masque dances from the 1612 "Courtly Masquing Ayres" by the English cornettist John Adson. These were originally choreographed dances included in the multimedia masques, popular entertainments in early 17th century England performed in some of London's great inns. They are noted for their meter changes and exuberant melodies.

Next we'll read a set of wonderful ricercari by Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina. Along with his masses, motets, and madrigals, the ricercari serve to remind us why Palestrina's counterpoint style has been lauded by theorists from Cerone to Fux to those of our time.

Then, for a taste of St. Mark's, I have two multiple choir works by Giovanni Gabrieli: a 12 part "Gloria" and his 16 part "Omnes gentes plaudite." Next we'll read the motet "Inviolata, integra" in 12 parts by the "Father of musicians", Josquin des Prez. And finally, since it is ski season, we'll play a new, six part arrangement of Benjamin Britten's "Alpine Suite", a work inspired by a skiing vacation in Switzerland.

I hope to see you all on Friday!

Gayle Neuman

Bob Hoffman, in memory

by Bee Neufeld

Just a note to let members know that Bob Hoffman, the older great bass player died of complications of leukemia several months ago. He had played over 20 years with a central California recorder group. When he and his wife Jean moved to Mary's Woods Retirement Center, he wanted a group to play with here. He started a little recorder group called Mary's Woods Recorder Consort. Four of the eight members were beginners, including two over 80 years old. Bob's love and passion for life and beauty is greatly missed by his Consort friends. Bob was 85 years of age. Cards can be sent to his wife, Jean, at 17400 Holy Names Dr., Lake Oswego, OR 97034.

	Thank You Volunteers!
Thank you to all who signed up to bring snacks for enjoyment after our playing sessions. And just a friendly reminder to Deena Grossman and Peggy Murphy - you're on for January 16th. Simple and healthy is ideal: water, juice, fruit, cookies, etc.

Volunteer at the Columbia Gorge Retreat!

Support your Recorder Society! Even if you're not attending the retreat in March, we need volunteers to help with a few logistics! Just think of all the great people you'd get to meet!
Help is needed in the following areas:
-Transport of recorder players/faculty to and from the Portland airport to Menucha.
-Organization and hosting of wine and cheese reception(s)
-Registration check in.

Please contact pdxrecorders@comcast.net if you can assist!

	Don't Forget to Renew/Begin your Membership!
Portland Recorder Society membership includes: ~monthly playing sessions (Sept-May) coached by professionals ~Discount to Columbia Gorge Early Music Retreat ~Monthly e-mail newsletters ~Networking opportunities with like-minded musicians Yearly dues are $40, additional donations welcomed and are tax deductible. We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization! Click HERE for a link to our membership registration form. If you are not a member, drop-in fees are $10 per playing session; your first visit is free to try us out!