The Washington Recorder Society (WRS) began in 1958 when George Payne, a resident of Garrett Park, Md., founded the organization. After six years as an independent recorder society, WRS became an official chapter of the American Recorder Society in 1963. Payne continued to serve as president into the mid-1980s.
Since 1963, WRS has remained an active and vibrant chapter of the American Recorder Society. Today, WRS has approximately 60 members and meets regularly to play music. WRS has sponsored many musical workshops and in 2014 hosted legendary teacher and performer Shelley Gruskin’s 40th workshop with WRS. Other workshop leaders have included Gwyn Roberts, Tina Chancey and Roger Morris.