Washington Recorder Society

The Washington Recorder Society (WRS), a chapter of the national American Recorder Society, is the premier place for people in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area who want to play the recorder together. For more than 50 years, WRS has been providing recorder players of all abilities with colleagues, teachers, workshops and great music from the Renaissance and Baroque eras to the present. New members and visitors are always welcome.

WRS members meet in person from September to May on the third Saturday of the month at St. Columba’s Church, 4201 Albemarle St NW, Washington, DC 20016. Music leaders, including Adela Balima, direct a 2-hour playing session. Bring your instruments and a music stand; music is provided. On the first Monday of selected months, members get free online instruction from well-known teachers across North America. Register online and receive the music and Zoom link. Other membership benefits include newsletters, recitals and access to the members-only part of the website.


Latest News


  • Activities resume in the fall 2026. See list of summer workshops.

    Consider a Workshop for Summer Fun and Recorder Playing Immerse yourself in the world of early music and improve your playing this summer at one of the many workshops being offered by renowned teachers and musical professionals. 
     
    Mountain Collegium from June 28 to July 4 – A weeklong workshop directed by Jody Miller, with programs for all levels of early musicians and folk musicians. It will be held on the campus of Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, North Carolina. Registration to Mountain Collegium is now closed. 
     
    Amherst Early Music — Week 1 from July 12 to 19/Week 2 from July 19-26 The Amherst Early Music Festival will be held at Muhlenberg College, Allentown, Pennsylvania. It offers a bounty of classes, concerts, drop-in sessions, and opportunities for impromptu music making. Gain new skills, insights, and inspiration in classes taught by over 60 faculty members from the United States and Europe. This year the festival focuses on the music of France and England from the 11th to the 18th centuries. To register, go to Amherst Early Music Festival online. 
     
    Next Level Recorder Retreat Southeast from August 23-28 Intensive workshop on technique and ensemble playing, and more, for intermediate to advanced recorder players with Tish Berlin and Frances Blaker in Orkney Springs, Virginia. You can find more information by checking online: tibiaduo 
     
    Other workshops:
    Mid East Early Music Workshop, June 19-25, here
    Bloom Music Workshop, Sept 4-6, 2026, here
     
  • Recital, May 2026

    The WRS Spring Recital was held on Saturday, May 16. See the program, recording videos, and some pics here

  • May Newsletter is out!

    Get the latest news from WRS : upcoming board members election, participation of WRS in ‘play the recorder month’ with members playing in a school, and interview with Betty Landesman, list of local teachers, list of future summer workshops, a workshop for music and crafts. Click here.