The Recorder Group currently has vacancies for players and would like to welcome YOU, if you’ve played in the past and would like to take up this versatile instrument again. 

What do we play? More than Greensleeves! There’s lots of music from early to modern times, composed or arranged specially for recorder groups working at different levels and we cover a wide range for this level, which is improvers to moderate. [I myself play with Hampshire Recorder Sinfonia and the Wessex branch of SRP.] Once a month we invite a local recorder professional along to conduct us and offer expert insights. 

To join us, you will need to

• be free on Tuesday afternoons 2pm-4pm every week. (Not a drop-in group, I’m afraid – this needs commitment!)
• have a recorder (actually, we like everyone to play at least two sizes)
• have a music stand
• be able to read music and rhythms at a basic level 
• be familiar with the fingerings on a recorder
• be prepared to do some practice at home so that you can make good progress in the group 

What can you expect of the group?

• This is a friendly and supportive group. We will make you welcome and I will give you useful practice and other material for use at home
• I will tailor some of the music to be within your competence, and you will always have a companion player
• If you’re serious and keen about it, you’ll make steady progress playing the recorder 

What will playing the recorder do for you?

• It’s a proven fact that playing music stimulates all areas of the brain and is a valuable activity in later life
• It’s a social activity where you have to be aware of and take account of what others are doing
• It offers a great sense of achievement, enjoyment and satisfaction 

• You can join the SRP, do workshops, go on courses, join festivals, play in an ensemble or an orchestra : a whole new world can open up!
• If you only play a descant recorder at the moment (very limiting) I will give you the opportunity in time to add treble, tenor and bass. Others in the group have done this. 
• We have played in the annual Chichester Festival for Music, Dance and Speech. This is mainly for youngsters, but has an adult category for recorders in which the Chi u3a group has always done well. 

Should you join us?

• YES! If you want to revive a long-held ambition to play the recorder properly. It doesn’t require an embouchure, just the ability to breathe and blow (we all have that!). [An embouchure is a special way of applying the mouth to an instrument eg a trumpet to produce sound.]
• High quality plastic descant, treble and tenor recorders aren’t expensive and pre-loved ones can often be had at budget prices. It’s a big mistake to think a wooden recorder will be best (They can only be played for under an hour before getting too damp inside). In a group like this one, plastic recorders will blend together best. A bass recorder is more expensive, but I have one that I loan out and then I support the learner as they start.   

Where do we meet and when and how will you get here?

• We play in a large, comfortable lounge in the block of retirement flats where I live. It’s all at ground level, so no problems if you have mobility issues. 
• We meet from 2pm to 4pm every Tuesday except when we decide we won’t (eg at Christmas). Everyone takes holidays at different times of year, so we work around that. And, of course, illness and family responsibilities sometimes intervene. But we are a serious group committed to making progress and taking on challenges. Because there’s so much music available, we’re never short of something suitable for whichever players are present. (But I do like to know by Sunday if you can’t come on Tuesday as I need to put the programme together!)
• The no.51 and 700 buses stop outside where I live (on the Hornet) and there are two car parks under 10 mins walk away (one free for 3 hours). Onsite parking isn’t really possible. 

• Contact me initially at glrecorderensemble@mail.chichesteru3a.org.uk   Give me some idea of your background and I’ll send you my phone number so that we can chat and agree when you might come along for a taster session. 
• PS If you have a friend who doesn’t belong to Chi u3a but plays recorder and you think might be interested in us : pass this info on to them! They can also come for a taster session but thereafter must be a member.  

I look forward to hearing from you!

Jean Campbell, group leader Tuesday Recorders