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Who are we? |
The Society of Recorder Players is an organisation dedicated to the promotion of the recorder, and to supporting people interested in recorder playing. It functions through a network of branches, of which the Irish Branch is one.
The membership consists of recorder players of all ages and abilities. Ages range from schoolchildren to over 80s, abilities from beginners to concert playing standard. |
What do we do? |
The Irish Branch meets every month on a Saturday afternoon, when members play music composed for recorders, and music arranged for recorders, under the guidance of a conductor. |
When? |
Every third Saturday of the month, from September to June, except when this might cause problems for members, e.g. major public holidays such as Christmas, Easter, St. Patrick’s Day, etc. (See the Programme of meetings for exact dates.)
Meetings run from 2.30 pm to 5.30 pm, and are organised in three playing sessions: roughly 2:30 - 3:15, 3:15 - 4:15 and 4:30 - 5:30. One piece of music is worked on and played during each session.
Here is the Playing Schedule for Spring 2024. |
Do we get a break at all? |
There is a break for tea, chat and announcements between 4:15 and 4:30. Members pay €5 annually into a kitty for tea/coffee and biscuits and bring their own travel cup. |
Where? |
Booterstown Community & Arts Centre, Booterstown, Co. Dublin, near the centre of Dublin.
Here’s a map of the area, and some suggestions for getting there. |
Who can come?
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We welcome visitors, and prospective new members. Attendance for visitors is free for the first visit, €5.00 for subsequent visits. If they turn up regularly, we expect them to join! Members of other branches of the SRP are entitled to attend free.
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Members and visitors are asked to advise the secretary in advance whether they intend coming to the meeting. This makes planning the music easier for the Musical Director. |
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What do I need to bring? |
Bring any recorders you know how to play. Bring a music stand, if you have one. If not, there are some spare stands available. Music will be provided. The Branch owns a Contrabass recorder, which is available to people who would like to play one, but don't own one.
Bring your own cup for your tea or coffee. |
What else do we do? |
Library |
The branch has an extensive library of recorder music which members are free to borrow. It contains music for solo recorder, duets, 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, 7-, and 8-part groups. It also has some spare music stands available for visitors, and some spare instruments for those who would like to try out a different instrument.
The library catalogue is available here.
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Pastoral visits: |
We have a visit each year from an SRP tutor, who directs a weekend of recorder playing. This is normally in the Autumn, and replaces either the October or November monthly meeting. |
Playing Days |
We run a one-to-a-part Playing Day
during the year. Participants are divided into small groups, and play chamber music one to a part. These are usually on a Sunday, and last all day. The 2020 and 2021 Playing Days were cancelled, due to Covid 19. The next one will be in June 2024. |
Schools outreach |
The branch has adopted a primary school where recorder is taught, and members attend and contribute to the school concerts. |
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Other Activities
Irish
Recorder and Viol Course
We do not run the Irish
Recorder and Viol Course – every year in the third
week of August – but members of the branch are heavily involved
and a large proportion of the membership attends each year.
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