The Cheltenham Recorder Festival was started by Ann Marshall, Steve Marshall and Pam Smith in 2005 and has grown to become one of the highlights of the recorder year. Due to its increasing popularity, in 2012 the Cheltenham Recorder Festival will move to its new home at the beautiful Park Campus in the heart of Cheltenham.
The Festival has an enviable reputation of being one of the friendliest and most enjoyable recorder events run in the UK. One reason for this is that the CRF offers an exciting variety of music to cater for all tastes and abilities, ranging from the established Renaissance and Baroque repertoire through to contemporary pieces which will be premièred at the Festival. There is a large choice in each playing session, allowing you to tailor the Festival to your own playing standard and musical interests. Each day there is one massed playing session when all 200 Festival participants come together to make a truly amazing sound, underpinned by a huge Sub Contra and Contra Bass section.
Another reason for the Festival’s success is its unparalleled large tutoring team, ready to dispense friendly advice, direction and insights. The tutors’ interests cover every genre of music and type of recorder ensemble to ensure that there really is something for everyone at the CRF. Whether you're interested in Easy descant/treble/tenor trios, Voices and Recorders sessions, funky Jazz or exploring contemporary repertoire and notation, there will be more than enough to excite and inspire you.
The aim of the Festival is to pack as much as possible into 48 hours – see the timetable detailing the schedule for the weekend. In all sessions apart from Massed Playing Sessions there is a large choice of classes for you to attend, including at least one larger ensemble such as an orchestra or multi-choir along with smaller ensembles and workshops. Each choice is graded from “Easy” to “Hard” to help you decide where to play. There are no auditions or signing up in advance for any of the classes, simply turn up and play. If you feel the need for a break from making music you are welcome to sit out as many sessions as you like. The Early Music Shop and Recorder MusicMail will be in attendance with fantastic selections of instruments, accessories and sheet music. In addition, Anthony Barrett will be available to repair and maintain your recorders during the weekend.
A particular feature of the CRF is Easy Street - every playing session features at least one "Easy" option which is specifically designed for those with little playing experience. In addition, the Easy options offer more experienced players the opportunity to have a relaxing moment if you spend most of the Festival trying to stretch yourself a little, or the chance to try playing a size of recorder you are less familiar with in a supportive environment. Within the Easy options there is still a large variety of genre of music, size of ensemble and tutors to give you a great Festival experience, from Renaissance Trios to Baroque Quartets to the thrill of playing in an Orchestra where all the parts are Easy. If you have never been to a large recorder event before and are unsure if you will be able to cope with the playing standard, rest assured that the Easy options are just that. They are tutored by professional recorder teachers who specialise in encouraging adult players with little experience. The atmosphere at the CRF is always friendly and encouraging and this is often particularly appreciated by those who have never ventured beyond the familiarity of their local recorder group!
The festival concerts have been widely regarded as some of the highlights of previous festivals and the 2012 concert will be a particularly special treat as it is a first in the recorder world! Chalice is a popular Cotswold-based contemporary folk band. The five members all sing (specialising in close harmony work), and play a wide range of instruments including guitars, mandola, electric bass, whistles and an array of percussion. They frequently play gigs in local festivals, clubs, and pubs, and also perform in concerts, supporting major names on the folk scene. For the last year the band has been working with the recorder sextet Folkorders to fuse together the sound of folk and the sound of recorders (from descant down to great bass). From the first time the eleven played together it was obvious that the combination worked brilliantly.
Steve Marshall produces the recorder arrangements for the Chalice & Folkorders group, and he will give a short talk at Saturday lunchtime for those who are interested to find out more about what makes this fascinating combination of sounds and styles work. The concert is open to the public so your family and friends will be very welcome to experience a unique sound! Tickets are available from Justine in advance or on the door. All course participants have free entry to the concert.
All bookings for the Festival must be received by Friday 27th July. However, please note that the CRF is an extremely popular event and you are advised to enrol as soon as you can to avoid disappointment. In July all participants are sent a joining pack with directions to The Park Campus, further information about the weekend and a timetable including full details of all the choices available in each session.
All music is provided for the weekend.