Piers Adams's Recorder Roadshow in Skipton

Aim: To support the development of young recorder players in the Bradford and Skipton districts with a workshop with top professional Piers Adams

Crisis in recorder education

Numbers of young recorder players have reached such an all-time low that recorder playing is now in crisis. The huge drop in numbers playing at school level are resulting in a dearth of players undertaking advanced training at specialist music schools and conservatoires. The results of this range from a lack of trained professional players and teachers, through to a lack of amateur players that would have formed the future bedrock of such organisations as the Society of Recorder Players. 

The situation is having a knock-on effect in recruitment of players of other wind instruments, as the recorder was often the 'first step' before switching over to flute or clarinet. It is also depriving many children of a cheap and accessible means of learning music.

Piers Adams's Recorder Roadshow in Skipton

Here in the Bradford and Skipton districts we are bucking the trend, and there is a growing group of young recorder players whose development we are trying to foster, both for the benefit of the individuals and the wider benefits to the regeneration of recorder playing in this district. To this end, we have booked Baroque Alchemy (internationally-renowned recorder player Piers Adams and keyboardist Lyndy Mayle) to give a one-day Recorder Roadshow workshop culminating in a gala concert including a performance of newly-commissioned work 'The Enchanted Forest' by Philip Henderson, for recorder solo and massed recorders. This will take place in July.

Skipton Music Festival Association

We are the organisation that runs the annual 103-year-old Skipton Music Festival, a competitive music festival supporting the development of young musicians. We are well-placed to have a broad overview of both the musical activity taking place in this district, and of what is lacking! We are keen to provide the 70 or so local young recorder players with an experience that will develop their skills, broaden their musical knowledge and experience, and inspire them to achieve at the highest level.

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 29th July 2025 at 10:01am