March Meeting: Baroque Treasures, Transcriptions for Recorders

DATE: Sunday, March 20, 2011
TIME: 2:00 to 4:30 p.m.
PLACE: Unity Church of Denver, 3021 South University Blvd., Denver
CONDUCTOR: Karl Reque

Derived from the Portuguese barroco, or “oddly shaped pearl,” the term “baroque” has been widely used since the nineteenth century to describe the period in Western European art music from about 1600 to 1750. Comparing some of music history’s greatest masterpieces to a misshapen pearl might seem strange to us today, but to the nineteenth century critics who applied the term, the music of Bach and Handel’s era sounded overly ornamented and exaggerated. Having long since shed its derogatory connotations, “baroque” is now simply a convenient catch-all for one of the richest and most diverse periods in music history.

Thanks to computerized music typesetting and the internet we now have access to some great transcriptions of baroque favorites... and they're perfect for our group of SATB recorders. Bass recorders and gambas are most welcome; the bass lines hold everything together. Bring along a music stand and pencil and Karl will provide the music: a Symphonie by Boyce; Sheep May Safely Graze and the Esurientes from the Magnificat by Bach... plus much, much more!

Our Leader for This Meeting

Karl Reque received a BA in Viola and Music Education from Arizona State University. While in Arizona he played in the Scottsdale and Mesa Community Orchestras and developed an interest in early stringed instruments and historical performance practice. He studied recorder and viola da gamba at Windham College in Vermont and later moved to Los Angeles where he continued Baroque violin and gamba studies with Shirley Marcus. During his 35 years in Denver he has played with many local orchestras, including the Community Arts Orchestra, Centennial Philharmonic, Mostly Strauss Orchestra, Denver Chamber Orchestra, Baroque Chamber Orchestra of Colorado and was a founding member of the Musica Sacra Chamber Orchestra. Karl plays with various string quartets, Fiori Musicali Early Music Ensemble and performs at many local churches. He teaches strings and recorders privately and is a frequent clinician at early music workshops in Denver and Connecticut where he teaches viola da gamba and recorder. A collector of early instruments, he especially enjoys researching and playing the viola d'amore.

President's Message

Next month's Playfest will also be our Annual Business Meeting, at which time we will elect officers for the coming season. The Nominating Committee's nominations for the Chapter's consideration will be included in the April Newsletter and we will vote in the April Meeting. All of the present Board members have served for multiple years and would consider stepping down to make room for new blood. Please think about your interest in the Chapter and your willingness to serve in some capacity. The Officers to be elected are: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Program Director, Newsletter Editor, Librarian, and three Members-at-Large: Refreshment Provider, Web Mistress, and New Member Scout.

Please contact me if you would like to discuss your interest in any of these positions.
Dick Munz, dickmunz@gmail.com, 303-286-7909

Recorder Faire

The Recorder Faire is Sunday, March 6th at the Tattered Cover on Colfax again this year. We'll be playing from 2:00 till 4:30. If you or your ensemble would like to play for one of the 15 minute slots please contact Elaine Granata at (303) 321-2735 or elainegranata@msn.com. There are still some playing slots available. Put it on your calendar and come listen to the varied groups we have playing this year.

Renaissance Band Playing at Recorder Faire

The Chapter Renaissance Band will open the Recorder Faire on March 6th at the Tattered Cover. All recorder players are welcome to join the Band, whether you or your group is playing or not. This is an opportunity for those who do not play in a group to participate in Play The Recorder Month. I will have the music available at the February 20th meeting for those who want it ahead of time. Anyone playing in the band must attend rehearsal which will be on Saturday, March 5th from 1:00-4:00 at Susy Wilcox's home, 1940 Hoyt. If you have questions or want to sign up contact Elaine Granata at (303) 321-2735, or elainegranata@msn.com.

Members in Good Standing

Louise Adler, Karen Anderson, Shirley Baker, Phil Belefski, Erin Bell, Jann Benson, Rebecca Beshore, Roberta Blanc, Paul Brunson, Steve Caminer, Jon Casbon, Bill Conklin, Virginia Cortes, Lynda Coy, Charles Dana, Keith Emerson, Mike & Cathy Emptage, Barbara Fahey, Nancy Fey, Judy Fritz, Rosemary Glista, Elaine Granata, Barbara Grenoble, Pam Grotegut, Janet Handmaker, Patrick Heid, Diana Hinton, Chris Hollingsworth, Eve Johnson, John M. LeVett, Nira Lipner, Bob McCarroll, Peggy McCreary, Lisa McInnis, Pat Midyet, Judy Miller, Paul Mimlitsch, Sheryl Mosbarger, Dick Munz, Jennifer Myers, Bruce Nelson, Ruth Neubauer, Gail Nickless, Susan Osborn, Margaret A. Peterson, Ed Pinfield, Connie Primus, Karl Reque, Justine Romero, Miriam Rosenblum, Virginia T. Schlieker, Carla Sciaki, Mary Scott, Pat Selby, Mary Sloan, Victoria Taylor, Rosi Terada, Gerrie Vendegna, Trudy Wayne, Susan Wilcox, Dick Wood, Madeline Zanetti. If your name does not appear on this list following the month you mail your check, please contact Dick Munz.

Music Swap a Success!

The Chapter acknowledges the kind generosity of James Cornel for donating a recorder and printed music, and to Elizabeth Dally for donating music. These items were offered at the recorder swap preceding the February Sunday Playfest, and nearly all of it was purchased by members happy to make their acquisitions. Our thanks to James and Elizabeth. Several people mentioned their enthusiasm for the concept of the "swap", and we will try to program another early next season.

Recorder Newbies, Round and Round We Go

Lisa McInnis, longtime member of the Denver Chapter of the Recorder Society will host the March Newbie Session. Lisa not only plays all sizes of recorder, but also stands out as a bass gamba player. For the March session she has selected rounds of all types. She invites the attendees to bring along their favorite rounds. The Newbie Group gives newer players an opportunity to play small ensemble music in a safe setting. Session is free of charge and open to the public. Drop-ins welcome.
Date: Sunday, March 20th
Time: 12:45 ‘til 1:45 pm
Place: Unity Church, 3021 S. University, Denver CO, 2nd floor
Hostess: Lisa McInnis
Music: Rounds

Rocky IX Update

If you have been following your emails, you know that we are advertising the upcoming Rocky through a series of informational emails. These have been going to all Colorado recorder players and to a couple hundred recorder players in the surrounding states. The dates are also listed in ARS publications. We have a great faculty lined up with sessions that should offer something for everyone. We are relying on your attendance to make this a successful event, so please put it on your calendar: May 20 - 22.

Newsletter Archive Now Available

Jennifer has added a newsletter archive to our website: http://www.DenverRecorderSociety.org. You can now access all newsletters from 2010.

Group Corner

News of the activities and postings from area musical groups having recorder players. Check the chapter website for a listing of all groups that we know of, including contact information.
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Farnaby's Wives (Pat Midyet, Justine Romero and Catherine Rowe), joined by guest harper Joanna Cook, will be playing a Celtic program to accompany the St. Patrick's Day opening night of the play "Hungry" on March 17th at 6 pm at St. Thomas Episcopal Church Theater -- 22nd and Dexter St. in Park Hill. Tickets are $30, available at www.SaintThomasDenver.org.
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Mary Scott along with helper Keith Emerson hosted four Newbies at the February Meeting. They played a well-known medieval piece “When I See Winter Return.” They then played American trios. Mary was pleased with the turnout and the music that they played. If you are a newer player, consider attending the March Newbie Session. It is a terrific way to get started and is open to all.
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The Early Music Ensemble in Grand Junction performed at the Renaissance Feaste fundraising dinner at Mesa State College on February 12, 2011. In addition to playing 30 minutes of prelude music, the ensemble accompanied the concert choir on several selections including the delightful madrigal, “Sing We At Pleasure”. The group plans on performing at the Western Colorado Botanic Gardens and the Grand Valley Renaissance Faire this summer.
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StopTime is the Denver Chapter's recorder swing/jazz band. We perform wherever we can to popularize the concept of the recorder as an adult musical instrument. These days we are busy working on our annual concert at The Mercury Cafe. This year's date will be Saturday, March 19 from 6:00 to 8:00pm. We hope you can join us for a different kind of dinner show. The "Merc" is a family restaurant specializing in vegetarian dishes but with a large menu including great desserts. Come for dinner, coffee and desert, or just drinks, and enjoy renditions of rags, dixieland, ballads, and jazz performed by recorder players. No cover charge.
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Marylebone Players is making great strides. Our Saturday Group is packed. We have been playing now for four years and we have reviewed a large library of music. We regularly play with strings and recorders and historical flutes. We have added multi-instrument baroque sonatas and double choirs to out repertoire. We also have a new harpsichord. Our Monday group has been working mostly on three and four part Renaissance Music and trio sonatas. We could use a couple more players in the Monday Morning group. I have attended about 10 recorder workshops in the last few years, and I can assure you that, based upon my first-hand experience, you will get to play more quality music than in any of the workshops if you come play with us. So do I have any takers for the Monday Group? If I could get the interest, I would also start a weekday evening group. Is anyone interested in that? Let me know. Bill Conklin 303-455-0837
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Renaissance Recorders & Flutes for Sale

Renaissance Recorder, alto, by Levin & Silverstein #0411; maple, a=440; hard cylindrical case. Purchased new from Phil Levin, 11/30/1983. Excellent condition. $1500.

Renaissance Recorder, soprano, by Levin & Silverstein #0134; maple, a=440; hard cylindrical case. Purchased new from Phil Levin, Dec., 1979. Excellent condition except slight wear around thumbhole. $1000.

Renaissance Flute, alto, by Graham Lyndon Jones & Barbara Stanley, St. Albans,
England; maple, a=440, soft case. Purchased from Historical Instruments of Musick, June 1983, at Boston Early Music Festival. Excellent condition. $400.

Renaissance Flute, tenor, by Levin & Silverstein #741; maple, a=440; hard cylindrical case. Purchased new from Phil Levin, 1/29/1979. Excellent condition. $800.

Ganassi-style treble recorder in G, by Bob Marvin; maple, a=460; wooden case. Purchased slightly used from David Hummer, c. 1978. This is an historic instrument using Ganassi fingering by an esteemed maker. Needs revoicing. Price to be determined.

Also for sale--spinet harpsichord by Hugh Craig and Roland digital harpsichord—prices recently reduced.

Offers on all of these instruments will be considered. For further information, please contact Connie Primus at cmprimus@gmail.com or 303-933-1774.

Get a Gamba!

Interested in learning more about the Viola da Gamba? A limited number of student quality viols are available for rental at a reasonable monthly rate. Please call Bill Conklin at 303-455-0837 for more information.