La Folia is a harmonic bass pattern based on an early Spanish melody used for “wild singing and dancing.” It became popular with composers of the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries as a basis for variations.

Please bring plucked and bowed stringed instruments, tambourines and drums, as well as recorders. We will have fun!

Our Leader for This Meeting

Most of you know what I’ve done in the past, so maybe you’d like to know what I am doing now, retired and living in Georgetown:
President, Friends of Library – current project to renovate the Corner Park next to the library, adding a permanent stage and pavilion for Georgetown Christmas Market and other events
Hotel de Paris Museum – transcribed and entered into the computer over 3000 names in the hotel register for 1881-1883; now researching some of these early hotel guests
Presbyterian Church – part-time organist and choir director (sometimes play recorder or flute for the services)
Georgetown Community Charter School – volunteer teacher of recorder to 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th graders
Director, Georgetown Recorder Consort (meets weekly)
Organizer, Monthly Musicales (members play various instruments or sing with and for each other)
Music Review editor for American Recorder (any volunteers for writing reviews?)

Recorder Faire 2008

The ARS Recorder Jazz Ensemble stole the show at the Faire with costumes to match the music. A very lively offering. Thanks to all all made the Faire possible -- all the groups that worked up an offering, Susy Wilcox for the rehearsal space, members who joined the Band for some challenging music, everyone who helped set up and clean up after the Faire. It's not possible without you.

I spoke with one woman who watched in fascination -- she'd never seen recorders before and wondered about the "trombone" she saw sitting on its stand. We know that at least one woman got educated and was entertained by us. For the children and their parents this is a chance to be reinforced for their efforts at making music with a recorder. It's a delight to see children so accomplished -- we know it's due to the efforts of their teachers-- Carl Rix at Alsup Elementary and Carla Sciaky. And for the adult students we applaud their willingness to participate and thank Janet Handmaker for her assist with their presentations.

Many thanks to all who put effort and energy into making the Faire happen.

Elaine

And many thanks to Elaine for organizing another fun-filled Recorder Faire and overcoming daunting obstacles (e.g., Tamarack failed to provide anything: no stage, no tables, no chairs...)

Election Time!

Thanks to this year's Nominating Committee (Bobbie Blanc, and Sally Pyle) for coming up with our proposed slate of
Denver Chapter Officers for the 2008-2009 Season:
President: Dick Munz
Vice-President: Bill Conklin
Secretary: (to be announced)
Newsletter: Bruce Nelson
Program: Mary Scott
Refreshments: Victoria Taylor
Treasurer: Susan Wilcox
Librarian: Susan Osborn
Member at Large: Jennifer Myers
Elections will be held at the April meeting, at which time nominations will be accepted from the floor.

President's Message

Dear ARS Denver Members,
Hugs
By presidential proclamation, Sunday April 20th, 2008 is hereby designated "Thank You Board Members Day."

Let's start with Vice-President Bill Conklin who diligently marketed our monthly meetings to our local media, making certain that our message got out to the public. And, if you've ever wondered why our meeting room was always ready to use, it was because Bill arrived early, moving tables and setting up chairs. High Five, Bill.

Month after month, Bruce Nelson our newsletter editor accomplished the seemingly impossible task of fitting all of our news into an intelligible coherent newsletter. His efforts ensured that important information about our meetings and other events were communicated accurately. Furthermore our yearly membership directory, compiled by Bruce, allowed us to contact one another at a glance. Big pat on the back, Bruce.

Educational, enjoyable meetings form the cornerstone of our organization. Through the summer months, co-program chairwomen Mary Scott and Victoria Hays planned these monthly meetings. The variety of subjects offered and the personal appeal of our leaders meant that the third Sunday of each month was just that much more enjoyable. Victoria took especially good care of our palates by providing wonderful munchables at break time. Mary, a woman of many talents also led an audit of the treasury. There's something else about Mary. When she introduces our meeting leaders, she is a wonder to behold-beaming with delight as she looks forward to what is to be offered. Two arms around Mary and Victoria.

Secretary Dick Munz's task was to make sense of our sometimes incoherent and confusing board meeting discussions. His minutes were timely and clear. Dick is a person who takes initiative. He originated the idea of working with local music vendors in an attempt to gain membership. He then put his pedal to the metal driving from Longmont to Parker to meet the vendors. Grab and hold tightly onto him. Dick's ideas can make Denver ARS thrive.

How long has it been since you went to our website-- www.Denverrecorder.org? Jennifer Myers, member-at-large, modified and ran our attractive informative website for the last several years. Her expertise enabled us to create a Yahoo group for quick and timely interaction among members. She is a busy woman with a full-time job and young children, so you are going to have to seek her out and hold her down to tell her how good a job she's done.

In September of 2007 we donated the bulk of our music library to Regis College. At the helm of this transition was our librarian Susan Osborn, who contacted Regis, negotiated the donation and organized a packing day. We now have only a few remaining items in our library. Two thumbs up, Susan.

Overseeing our money was the task of treasurer Susy Wilcox. She kept records of membership, deposited dues, balanced books and provided us with a yearly audit. We all felt reassured that it was Susy and no one else who was in charge of our money. Breathe a sigh of relief for this trusted friend.

Joyce Lowery, member-at-large, took photographs recording our activities throughout the year. She arranged these pictures into photo albums. The next time you see Joyce, tell her how much you enjoy browsing the albums.

While you're in grateful mode, include Elaine Granata for organizing the Recorder Faire, Bobbi Blanc and Sally Pyle for serving on the nominating committee, Gerri Vendegna as co-organizer of our spring workshop, Keith Emerson for transporting the bulk of the library music to Regis, Lisa McInnis for photographing our performances at the Recorder Faire, Paul Brunson for making us laugh as Thomas Tell-Us and Erin Bell for making us cry as Anne Boleyn.

It is no small wonder that 2007-08 was such a great year. I offer heartfelt thanks to the board and the many members who contributed in both large and small ways.

Hugs,
Janet

Chapter Music Library

As you probably remember, the Denver chapter donated its music library to the Regis Recorder Music Center (RMC) last year. Janet contacted Mark Davenport to see how the processing was going, and was told that our material has another donated library ahead of it (Gordon Sanford's) and will not be available for a year or so. But Mark says we don't have to wait:

"I have a couple if things to bring to the attention of the Denver chapter: first, please let them know that they can, right now, go to the library and check out any of the material already bound and catalogued in the RMC. They can also log onto the Regis search engine Prospector. Here's the link: http://prospector.coalliance.org/
... and type in "recorder music" where they will find well over 1,000 editions already fully catalogued (this is twice what we had in December--about 700 in the last three months--so that would indicate more than 1,000 a year). In addition, any Denver chapter member may go to the archives where the Gordon Sandford, Erich Katz, and David Goldstein collections are currently housed, and go through all the recorder music there--it's all on an Excel spread sheet and can be sorted in a variety of convenient ways. They can make copies of music if they can't find it elsewhere to purchase. That's another 5,000 editions of recorder music!"

"The second thing is that this would be a great time for Denver chapter members to consider a financial donation. Many people don't realize the expense and time put into each recorder edition--about $15 for cataloguing and $10 for binding each score--that's $25 an edition. Donations are fully tax deductible and can be earmarked for specific projects. Most of our donations are in small amounts of $20 or $30 dollars--which do add up." --- Mark Davenport

Note: The Denver Chapter was not obligated to pay for any of the processing at the RMC, but the Board will consider a donation at its June meeting. (Another note: Chapter members are welcome to attend board meetings -- just contact a Board member to find out when and where.)

Almost-Early Music

How about the Victorian period of the Baroque era? Well, maybe not, but Gilbert & Sullivan still put together a good old show. The Empire Lyric Players will present "HMS Pinafore" at Shwayder Theatre May 29 & 31 and June 1, 5, 7 & 8. Sunday matinees at 2:00 p.m., other performances at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 and can be obtained from Charlene at 303-722-5336.

Janet's Classes

• Private lessons, all levels
• Tuesday evening Advanced Beginner Recorder Class
If you are interested in joining a performance group and are available to meet during the daytime, please contact Janet at: recorderteacher@comcast.net .

Miriam Rosenblum's Classes

Miriam is teaching custom classes, private lessons, and coaching ensembles at her house in the Wash Park neighborhood in Denver. Call 303 770-2247 for information.

Denver ARS Goes for Yahoo!

Want to find the best free music web sites? Want to get in on the very latest news? Then it's time for you to join our Denver ARS new Yahoo web site group-open to members or non-members who are interested in the recorder and/or early music. It's a virtual watercooler-a place to gather and share information. Just go to our website DenverRecorder.org, find the purple box that reads "Yahoo! Groups, Join Now" and enter your email address. Be in-the-know, join the Denver ARS Yahoo Group

Free Recorder Lesson

There may be no such thing as a free lunch, but there most certainly is such a thing as a free recorder lesson. Why not give a recorder to a friend or family member? You may then enhance your gift at no cost with a coupon for a FREE one half-hour starter lesson from one of our several volunteer teachers or members. For more information, check our website www.DenverRecorder.org or contact Janet Handmaker at recorderteacher@comcast.net.

Save a Tree!

Thanks to the efforts of our webmaster, Jennifer Myers, the chapter newsletter is posted on our website DenverRecorder.org each month. You can read it there, or download and print it. Join the growing group of chapter members who save us paper and postage by sending an email to banelson@compuserve.com. You will be notified by email when each newsletter is posted on the web. 100% Guaranteed!! -- if for any reason you are not satisfied with your choice, just send another email and we'll put you back on the mail list.

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 Karl Reque at 303-355-8289 or Bill Conklin at 303-455-0837 for more information.

Playing Opportunity!

Bill Conklin is hosting regular sight reading sessions of early music 1500 through the Baroque at his home in north Denver. It is a very supportive and encouraging atmosphere for you to experience a variety of music and a variety of early instruments. Bill has an a vast collection of excellent musicfor trios, quartets, and quintets Currently there is a Monday 9-11AM groupand a Saturday 10-12AM group which meet at least twice a month. There is a possibility for an addtional session on a weekday evening. We spend sometime each session on music that is crumhorn friendly and crumhorns are available for you to try. This first year of meetings has been very successful and wehave a core group of interested players. If you are interested in getting on the email list please write to Bill Conklin at willieco@aol.com and let him knowthat you are interested.

A GOLDEN CENTURY OF POLISH MUSIC: 1540-1640
2007 SPRING WORKSHOP WITH TOM ZAJAC

The Denver Chapter ARS is delighted to welcome Tom Zajac, on Saturday, May 17th, and Sunday, May 18th, 2008, for a fascinating spring workshop . Poland was at its political and cultural high point in the 16th and 17th centuries, and this splendor is reflected in the music (only a small portion of which has survived the ravages of the following centuries). We will sample a variety of works, including mass movements, psalm settings (the psalms translated from the Latin into the vernacular), motets, love songs, political songs, instrumental dances and fantasies. The course is open to recorder players and viola da gamba players as well as other soft instruments and singers.

Tom Zajac is a multi-instrumentalist praised for his versatility and stylish playing in the performance of music from the medieval and Renaissance periods. He’s a member of the wind band Piffaro, and the New York-based theatrical/musical group Ex Umbris, and appears frequently with the Folger Consort, King’s Noyse, Newberry Consort, Hesperus, and other leading US ensembles. He has performed 14th-century music in the East Wing of the White House during the Clinton years, played serpent in a piece by PDQ Bach on an episode of A Prairie Home Companion, and the sound of his bagpipe awoke the astronauts every morning on a 2001 space shuttle mission (on a recording, of course). Other recent projects include playing onstage recorder for the Boston Early Music Festival production of Lully’s Psyché, conducting a program of Polish Renaissance and early Baroque music for the Texas Early Music Project in Austin and performing in the Folger Shakespeare Theater production of the 15th-century Second Shepherd’s Play in Washington DC. ¬His most recent interest is in learning the beautiful repertory of Ottoman court music, performing with the Boston-based group Dünya. Tom teaches at Wellesley College, near his home in Boston, and at workshops throughout the US.

We’ll meet at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 2100 Wadsworth Boulevard, in Lakewood. Please arrive by 8:45 AM. Bring recorders, viols, and a music stand. Lunch is on your own, with several delicatessens and fast food spots available nearby. We finish at 4:30 PM and reconvene Sunday from 1:30 PM to 4:00 PM.

Register by mailing $40 and the form below to Gerrie Fisk, 3074 South Steele Street, Denver CO 80210. Make your check payable to Denver Chapter ARS. Questions? Call Gerrie at 303-759-4420. Registrations must be received by Friday, May 2, 2008.

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REGISTRATION
Name_______________________________Phone____________________Email_____________________
Address________________________________________________________________________________
Instruments you will bring to play:
Recorders: S___A___T____B_____GB_____CB_______
Viols: S___A___T____B_____