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Additional Classes for Winter 2022

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In addition to the classes for Recorder Players West, for Winter 2022 Inga Funck will teach four additional classes to improve specific areas of recorder playing.

Alto Recorder Class: Transition from Soprano to Alto

Thursdays, 12 noon PDT

Class dates: February 3, 10, 17, 24; March 3, 10, 17, 24; April 7

Are you a soprano recorder player who is secretly longing for the lower sound of the Alto? Have you thought about transitioning from Soprano to Alto but are really nervous about learning f-fingerings? If you are planning on playing with other musicians, sooner or later you will be asked  to play recorders other than the soprano.

This 10-week class introduces f-fingerings step-by-step in manageable increments.  You will also refine your breathing, work on your tonguing and articulation, and strengthen your rhythmical skills.  Not to mention all the fun you will have with the vast repertoire written for Alto!

Alto Recorder Class: Transition from Soprano to Alto

Thursdays, 2:00pm PDT

Class dates: February 3, 10, 17, 24; March 3, 10, 17, 24; April 7

Rhythm is fundamental to your musicianship.  If you are struggling with rhythms even just a little, taking the time to isolate rhythm as a practice will benefit you tremendously.

Learn to maintain a steady beat and to identify when you are off.  Develop a keen sense for even the most complicated syncopated rhythms.  After this 10-week class, your rhythm will be rock solid, despite being nervous about sight-reading a new complex piece or playing in front of an audience.

Learn to Play the Bass Recorder

Thursdays, 4:00pm PDT

Class dates: February 3, 10, 17, 24; March 3, 10, 17, 24; April 7

Want to become an asset to any recorder ensemble by being able to play the bass recorder? Or perhaps you have just recently bought a bass recorder and want to become proficient at reading the bass clef? OR you fell in love with the lower sound of the bass instruments? Sign up for this class if this describes you.

Learn to Play Alto Recorder an Octave UP

Wednesdays, 12 noon PDT

Class dates: February 2, 9, 16, 23; March 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; April 6

You know that the lowest note on the alto is an "F'. But then you encounter music in which the alto part goes way below that "F'. You are casually told: "Just read the alto line an octave up." Easier said than done! By the end of this 10-week class, you will easily make the octave transposition without blinking an eye or losing a beat.

Tuition

$150 for each class, including music.

Payments are made directly to Inga Funck, either via check, PayPal or Zelle.

Registration

To register please contact Inga Funck before the start of the class. She will send you instructions about how to pay.

Please make sure to include your best email address so you can be sent the Zoom link and music before the class begins.

Classes for Winter 2022

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Announcing Winter 2022 Semester

Due to COVID-19 pandemic, for Winter 2022, Recorder Players West's classes will still be held via Zoom. Each class is 1.5 hours long. For dates and times, see table below.

Inga Funck will again be leading our classes; she always manages to make classes fun while helping each student to grow as musician. She is exposing students to a rich body of repertoire from different centuries, styles, and countries. Inga is a professional recorder player, has played with members of the LA Phil at the Disney Hall and is an experienced teacher. Outside of Recorder Players West, she is offering private lessons as well as other classes independent of RPW.

The classes cater to different skill levels, ranging from pre-intermediate to advanced. To be placed into the right class, please fill out this questionnaire.

Newcomers who have not been to a Zoom class with Inga yet will be given one free class before they have to decide whether or not to join.

Music will be sent via email -- no charge for copying music!

Pre-Intermediate Class

Fridays, 12 noon PDT

Class dates: February 4, 11, 18, 25; March 4, 11 18, 25; April 1, 8

Intermediate Classes

Wednesdays, 2pm PDT

Class dates: February 2 , 9, 16, 23; March 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; April 6

or

Thursdays, 7pm PDT

Class dates: February 3, 10, 17, 24; March 3, 10, 17, 24, 31; April 7

Advanced Class

Fridays, 2pm PDT

Class dates: February 4, 11, 18, 25; March 4, 11 18, 25; April 1, 8

Tuition

$150 for each class, including music.

$135 if you are brand-new to Recorder Players West and are making use of the free class.

Registration

To register please contact Suellen Eslinger before the start of the class. She will send you instructions about how to pay.

Please make sure to include your best email address so you can be sent the Zoom link and music before the class begins.

Scholarships and Donations to the Scholarship Fund

A limited number of tuition scholarships are available. To apply, please contact Suellen Eslinger.

To donate to our tuition scholarship fund, please add the donation to your tuition check or pay by separate check.

On The Record(er): Interview with Vicki Boeckman

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I am excited to announce our next event with Vicki Boeckman as my guest.

On December 2, 2021 at 5pm PST, Vicki will speak about the variety of activities her illustrious career has brought her.  From performing and recording with the finest musicians, to teaching all age groups, and enjoying the experience as artistic director of workshops and recorder societies, she has a wealth of experience to share.

Please share this event with your recorder playing friends (or with any other folks you can think of that might enjoy this event).

Your participation in shaping the interview is encouraged by submitting questions you might want to ask in advance.

Following the interview, Vicki has agreed to do a Q&A session.

When?    Thursday, December 2, 2021 at 5:00pm PST
Where?   via Zoom
How?       email the host Inga Funck at funck.inga@gmail.com for the Zoom link

Classes for Summer 2021!

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Announcing Summer 2021 Semester

Recorder Players West is pleased to offer recorder classes during the summer 2021. Due to COVID-19 circumstances, classes are held once more via Zoom. Each class is 1.5 hours long. For dates and times, see table below. The Fall 2021 Semester will start on Oct 6 with the plan to return to in-person classes.

Teaching our classes will be Inga Funck, who always manages to make classes fun while helping each student to grow as musician. She is exposing students to a rich body of repertoire from different centuries, styles, and countries. Inga is a professional recorder player, has played with members of the LA Phil at the Disney Hall and is an experienced teacher. Outside of Recorder Players West, she is offering private lessons as well as other classes independent of RPW.

The classes cater to different skill levels, ranging from pre-intermediate to advanced. To be placed into the right class, please fill out this questionnaire.

Newcomers who have not been to a Zoom class with Inga yet will be given one free class before they have to decide whether or not to join.

Music will be sent via email -- no charge for copying music!

Pre-Intermediate Class

Fridays, 12 noon PDT

Class dates: July 9, 16, 23, 30; Aug 6, 13, 20, 27; Sept 3, 10

Intermediate Classes

Wednesdays, 2pm PDT

Class dates: July 7, 14, 21, 28; Aug 4, 11, 18, 25; Sept 1, 8

or

Thursdays, 7pm PDT

Class dates: July 8, 15, 22, 29; Aug 5, 12, 19, 26; Sept 2, 9

Advanced Class

Fridays, 2pm PDT

Class dates: July 9, 16, 23, 30; Aug 6, 13, 20, 27; Sept 3, 10

Tuition

$150 for each class, including music.

$135 if you are brand-new to Recorder Players West and are making use of the free class.

Registration

To register please contact Suellen Eslinger before the start of the class. She will send you instructions about how to pay.

Please make sure to include your best email address so you can be sent the Zoom link and music before the class begins.

Scholarships and Donations to the Scholarship Fund

A limited number of tuition scholarships are available. To apply, please contact Suellen Eslinger.

To donate to our tuition scholarship fund, please add the donation to your tuition check or pay by separate check.

On The Record(er): Interview with Rotem Gilbert

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Why would anyone choose the recorder as a career path?  The immediate answer seems obvious: because it's easy to fall in love with the recorder.  But is "falling in love" with something reason enough to hitch your entire life to it?

Rotem Gilbert is an amazing recorder player. Some of you might know her from the San Francisco Early Music Society workshops in the Bay Area where she is co-director.  Or you might have played under her leadership at Southern California Recorder Society or Orange County Recorder Society recorder society meetings.  Or you have listened to her in concerts with Ciaramella or at the USC Thornton School of Music, where she is teaching musicology courses in Early Music, Renaissance notation seminars, Renaissance and Baroque Performance Practice and directing Early Music ensembles.  Some of you even have private lessons with her.
Rotem has graciously agreed to an interview to discuss everything about the recorder.  Are you curious how Rotem's love story with the recorder began and what her future dreams and aspirations are? She will discuss the role of the recorder in music education, the stigma of the recorder as a child's instrument, the realities of a professional recorder player, and much more.
If there is a question you have always wanted to ask Rotem, or any professional recorder player, feel free to email the host with your question in advance.
There will also be a short Q&A session at the very end.
When?    Wednesday, June 23, 2021 at 12:00noon PDT
Where?   via Zoom
How?       email the host Inga Funck at funck.inga@gmail.com for the Zoom link