Recorder

Access high quality instruments

Whilst players are expected to invest in good quality solo instruments of their own with the help and guidance of their teachers, students also have the use of a comprehensive department collection of renaissance, baroque and modern recorders. These include a 12-piece consort of Adrian Brown's renaissance recorders pitched at A 466, based on original research into consort sizes of the sixteenth century.

The department also owns a square Paetzold contra-bass recorder, which is frequently used to explore contemporary repertoire with electronics.

A harpsichord is routinely available for accompaniment in lessons and the department is well-integrated into Early Music activities, with opportunities for baroque chamber music coaching and orchestral playing, as well as the regular classes offered by the Early Music elective. Recorder players are actively encouraged to try out baroque orchestral instruments such as baroque flute, oboe or violin.

Take part in exciting events

The Birmingham Conservatoire Recorder Department is proud to have initiated and hosted the second ‘Birmingham International Recorder and Early Music Festival’ in 2018. With professional concerts, masterclasses, solo competition and other events taking place across a weekend in February, the Festival is a new landmark in the UK’s Recorder and Early Music calendar, giving opportunities for solo and ensemble performance for players at all ages and levels.

The recorder department is committed to encouraging its students to explore opportunities outside the Conservatoire, with the aim of developing professional contacts across the globe and becoming aware of current developments within the field. Recorder department members attended the Open Recorder Days festival at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam in 2017 and our third year undergraduates have frequently been involved in exchanges, allowing a period of study at a partner institute abroad.

Performing opportunities

All periods of recorder music from the medieval and renaissance period up to the present day are afforded equal importance, with opportunities to develop both solo and ensemble playing. Regular department concerts and performance classes complement routine consort work, technique, history and pedagogy sessions. In addition, the recorder players are invited to perform in the wider context of the Woodwind department performance classes, encouraging students to engage with styles outside of our standard repertoire.

Opportunities to take part in electives in performance, improvisation and composition with live electronics are open to all students. Our resident specialist in contemporary music performance, Chris Orton, is keen to support students interested in working in this area and we have strong links with the composition department.

Joint First Study Option for BMus Recorder Players

RBC are delighted to announce a new initiative for talented and dedicated Recorder players who also play another instrument to Conservatoire level and who want to pursue in-depth undergraduate performance studies on both instruments. The option recognises the changing and creative role that the Recorder plays in modern professional music making and how an in-depth knowledge of the instrument (and historical playing practices) can complement many other areas of musicianship and instrumental performance.

Students who are accepted onto this scheme will need to fulfil all the usual progressive technical criteria for each first study instrument, as well as specially devised recital requirements, in order to progress through the course. The joint study status will be reviewed at regular intervals.

Interested candidates should contact Jenni Phillips, Head of Woodwind.