2026 Consort Studio

Great news! New Program – Consort Studio

Join us for a series of Consort Studio Workshops in central New Jersey, monthly sessions in ensemble playing for intermediate to advanced level recorder players to learn to play with one another and other instruments under a skilled conductor, with professional accompaniment.

These events will be led by conductor, recorder player, and harpsichordist, Steven Russell. It is an opportunity to play a variety of Baroque literature for small ensembles, through rehearsal, instruction, and demonstration, in a supportive environment, with a focus on ensemble playing, and end with the option to play the lead alto part with a professional ensemble. We will have opportunities to warm up on Renaissance music with SATB recorders, so bring all sizes. Register early to receive the music well in advance. Auditors welcome to attend. Sessions culminate in a performance.

We look forward to seeing you!
Best regards, Donna Messer,
recorderdonna@gmail.com

Dates

One Saturday of the month, 1:00 – 5:00 PM, with a 15-minute break

Nov. 8, 2025	Open for General Registraion. A Taste of Things to Come
Jan. 10, 2026
Feb. 28, 2026
Mar. 14, 2026
Apr. 25, 2026
May 9, 2026	Workshop-Rehearsal
Jun. 13, 2026
Oct. 10, 2026
Nov. 14, 2026

Location

Reformed Church of Highland Park, NJ, 19-21 South Second Avenue, Highland Park, NJ. There is plenty of parking at the location, which is a 30-minute walk or 5-minute taxi ride from the New Brunswick NJT train station.

Registration Information

Participants play and may volunteer to play the concertato part at the end with the ensemble.

Auditors learn by studying the music in advance, observing and listening.

Tuition Fees: $30 per session for Participants. $10 per session for Auditors. $10 per session for Students.

HPRS Membership required for all Participants except for first-time attendees. Annual membership is $30.

Both Participants and Auditors receive music in advance upon registering.

What is the difference between being a Participant and being a Student/Auditor?

Learn More

Participants have an opportunity to play all the music that is presented by the Music Director, who teaches and demonstrates from his harpsichord. At first, we all warm up on Renaissance music, often SATB music, so we are encouraged to bring all sizes of recorders that we have. Participants play initially as a group to work on each movement. Then they have an opportunity to play in the group with the professionals arrive, who play cello (part of the basso continuo) and who may play violin, flute, oboe, or viola, according to what the music calls for. Each month we work on a different Baroque trio sonata. After we have worked on a movement, we invite volunteers to play the solo or concertato part or lead part, with the professionals. It is a rare treat for recorder players - to play this music with professionals. Each volunteer gets a turn to play. They get supportive, encouraging feedback.

The focus of the Consort Studio workshop is not virtuosity, but rather, ensemble playing. i.e., "How do you show the group you are about to start?" "How do you show the group that you're about to end the piece?" We practice non-verbal ways to do it, by how you take a breath or gesture with your recorder. Also, each person can play at a tempo that they find comfortable. There is no pressure to play faster that you are comfortable with, even if it calls for allegro, vivace or presto. Each registrant receives the music in advance so they can prepare. We often send a video of professionals playing the music so that they hear how it can sound and what they can aspire to.

Auditors get the music in advance, too. They learn by listening and following along in their music and observing and hearing how a piece develops from a single line to a multi-line consort. Auditors do not get to play. If they wanted to play, they would register as participants. At the end of the session, they are treated to a performance, when we play for ourselves, for each other, and for the joy of it!

On May 17, 2026 Highland Park has a Porch Fest, when various music groups perform on their porch or front lawn. It is on the Sunday between Mother's Day and Memorial Day. In 2024 members of the Consort Studio and friends and youth performed in the Porch Fest. About 90% of the music we performed was music we had studied in the Consort Studio. I expect that will be the case this year, too.