The Robert Exiner Recorder Celebration 4th Annual Robert Exiner Recorder Celebration 2011

A Recorder project aimed at raising the profile of the recorder, to give students of all abilities, the opportunity to work with a professional woodwind player and teacher and provide students with an experience to prepare, perform and explore new repertoire with their recorder in small and large ensembles.

Project involves 1 x 60 minute workshop at your school with Recorder Specialist and Recorder Concert at Monbulk College Theatre.  School recorder groups perform individual item/s and then join other schools to form massed recorder ensemble.  Special Guests: Lyre Winds – recorder quartet from Melbourne University.

2011 theme: Latin Fiesta with marimbas and percussion backing. 

Music and backing CD will be distributed to schools in week 1, Term 2.

Dates:  Workshop – Wednesday 15 June.    Concert – Sunday 31 July

Cost: PD for music teachers including sheet music and backing tracks $75

Please email drmc@drmc.org.au if you are interested or require further information.

Schools participating in last year's recorder project were: Sassafras, Monbulk, Kallista and Mt Dandenong Primary Schools.  The Recorder Specialist, Carolyn McAlister chose 2 challenging pieces: The Lady with the Greensleeves and Scotland The Brave and an easier massed item: The Hidden Glade.  These pieces were workshopped at each school when Carolyn spent the day visiting the recorder groups and enjoying a day interacting with teachers and students despite the fact she had no voice.

On Sunday 1st August the annual recorder concert was held at Monbulk College Theatre with Mt Dandenong, Monbulk and Sassafras P.S. performing.  Unfortunatley Kallista were unable to participate in this year's concert but looking forward to being involved next year.  A rehearsal prior to the concert ensured students knew where their seats were, where to stand when on stage and run through the massed items.

The recorder quartet Lyre Winds from Melbourne Uni were again invited as special guests and performed: O dearest Finalnd, thou art our land by Pekka Kuusisito and Just as you thought it would be  an arrangement of Sinead O'Connor song: Just as you said it would be by Fourplay.  Members of the quartet this year were: Sophie Hoffman, Ryan Williams, Cathleen Rosier and Reidun Turner.

To add a different texture to the concert, it was decided to invite a string group to perform with the recorders.  Ranges Young Strings performed Star of County Down (Three Irish Folk Tunes) before joining the Lyre Winds with three works by Handel: Minuet - Fireworks Suite, Ballet - Opera Alceste and Finale - Water Music Suite.  The massed item - The Hidden Glade was written by former Ranges Young Strings member, Lore Burns and she was able to be in the audience to hear her composition performed. 

Scotland The Brave and Greensleeves were performed by those from each school who could play them and the finale saw all students from all schools, members of the quartet and Ranges Young Strings on stage performing the 'Hidden Glade'.  The combination of 70 descant recorders, the range of recorders played by Lyre Winds and the strings sounded amazing in this simple but beautiful piece.

The concert ran very smoothly and feedback has been very positive and enthusiastic.  A huge thank you to Jess Exiner for his financial support and inspiration of this project.

Karen Noonan

Project Manager