RBC Spring Recorder Festival 2024
See individual events for fees.
Wheelchair users are entitled to concessionary priced tickets with a complimentary companion seat.
Guide dogs are welcome at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire venues. If you wish to bring a guide dog or wheelchair, please let the Events Office know by calling 0121 331 5909.
Dedicated to Ross Winters (1951 – 2021)
Royal Birmingham Conservatoire is pleased to be running a special Recorder Festival over the weekend of 13 and 14 April 2024.
With activities planned for recorder players young and old, at every level from beginners to professional, this year’s Festival is dedicated to the memory of Ross Winters (1951-2021), who ran the recorder department at RBC until his retirement in 2012.
Ross’s wide-ranging commitment as an educator, beyond his expertise and brilliance as a stage performer, continues to inspire and underpin the recorder department’s ethos at RBC.
Supported kindly by:
Outline of Events
Saturday 13 April
- Pop-Up Recorder Ensembles for all levels including young beginners, intermediate players and advanced orchestra - FREE, pre-booking required
- Advanced and Intermediate Solo Masterclasses with Chris Orton, Annabel Knight, Lou Bradbury and Kate Allsop - £20, pre-booking required
- ‘Give it a Go’ performance workshop with Heidi Fardell for those of any age wishing to conquer performance nerves – FREE, pre-booking required
- 'Bring a Recorder' workshop with Lou Bradbury. Aimed at new recorder players, this inspiring workshop is designed for those aged 7 and up and their teachers or carers.
- Lunchtime Concert with the superb young English Wind Consort, featuring a plethora of exciting renaissance instruments – Entrance £5 (free to masterclass participants)
- Evening Concert with RBC Recorder Department Head, Annabel Knight with Reiko Ichise (viola da gamba) and Robin Bigwood (keyboard)
- Trade stands including Early Music Shop, Tim Cranmore, Recorder Shop London and more
- Foyer events – if you are in a recorder ensemble would like an opportunity to perform during the weekend, contact Heidi Fardell
Sunday 14 April
- Young Recorder Players’ Workshops with Annabel Knight and Sarah Jeffery – for players up to age 21 and Grade 5 and above
- Festival Jamboree Concert dedicated to Ross Winters, featuring a brand new work for massed recorders by Riko Suzuki conducted by Chris Orton, and performances from some of the UK’s brightest young recorder talents.
- ERTA conference - speakers on topics of recorder education (visit the ERTA website for more information)
- Family Music Workshop with Lou Bradbury of Little Notes (visit the Little Notes website for more information)
- Foyer events – if you are in a recorder ensemble and would like an opportunity to perform during the weekend, contact Heidi Fardell
- Trade stands including the Early Music Shop, Tim Cranmore, Recorder Shop London and more