Bidgee Blockflute ConsortAccording to the Groves Dictionary of Music and Musicians (2005), a woodwind instrument with a thumb-hole and (generally) seven finger-holes is known as a recorder. However it is also known as the Blockflute and in 2005 the Bidgee Blockflute Consort was formed at the Riverina Conservatorium of Music.The recorder is essentially a flute with a whistle mouthpiece. Primarily an instrument of the renaissance and the baroque periods, the recorder dropped into relative obscurity during the 18th and 19th centuries. However, the instrument group was revived in the early 20th century and has played an important role in the early-music revival. Since then, the recorder family has become an important educational instrument and there are few Australian students who have not, at some point in their education, played the plastic recorder! The Bidgee Blockflute Consort (BBC) is still a small ensemble but we use a full range of recorders from descant to bass. The senior students in the ensemble are currently working on a range of recorder consort repertoire from the medieval, renaissance and baroque period. However, a little jazz appears now and then just to remind us that the instrument can be used for contemporary music. The Bidgee Blockflute Consort is conducted by the RCM's recorder teacher Joanne Burrows. We welcome new members, so for those of you who love to play music and who are interested in learning the recorder, please contact the RCM on 6925 3522. References:
| |
| Back to the Ensembles page | Back to the Learning Music page |