Fire & Ice, Sugar & Spice: A Celebration of Contrasts

Welcome to the 2025 SFEMS recorder workshop! This year will be exploring the idea of musical contrasts and opposites - from the slowest Adagio to the fastest Presto, from the majestic subcontrabass to the tiny garklein, from melodies transmitted across centuries to new compositions where the ink is practically still wet, from working with luxurious legato to spiffy sputato in our articulation palette, experiencing both vast extension and powerful contraction in breath and airflow, and accessing the full spectrum of emotional expression in the music we play. All this is happening in the sweet fold of a wonderful, welcoming workshop culture in the heart of Berkeley, California. We are looking forward to welcoming back our loyal long-time regulars as well as meeting brand-new participants!

We offer daily sessions focusing on playing skills and ensemble techniques, Renaissance consort, musical topic classes, optional participation in a master class where you get to shine as a soloist or in a small ensemble, and a daily rehearsal with the all-workshop recorder orchestra, culminating in a performance at the end of our workshop week. New offering this year: a track for emerging players. If you have been playing the recorder for only two or three years, have never been to a workshop before, want to add a second size of the recorder family to your repertoire, or get more comfortable playing in an ensemble, we offer a track of classes throughout the day to fit your needs!

Pitch: A=440

Fill your days with recorder ensembles, technique classes, Renaissance consorts, recorder orchestra, masterclasses, concerts, lectures and more. Explore Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque, contemporary and world music in an intimate setting with world-class faculty.

Click here to learn more about our faculty members!

Our faculty include some of the leading performers and teachers on their respective instruments:

Annette Bauer, director and recorders
Rainer Beckmann
Greta Haug-Hryciw
Tali Rubinstein
Lisette Kielson
Katherine Heater, harpsichord

Recorder players of all levels and abilities are welcome!

To the best of our ability, we will tailor your experience to your skill level and ability so that you will feel both comfortable and challenged.

Workshop classes and events will be held at the First Congregational Church of Berkeley (FCCB) in the newly rebuilt community building.

HOUSING IS SOLD OUT

🏠 🛏️ UC Berkeley Summer Conference Housing for the Recorder Workshop is in Unit 3, Beverly Cleary Residence Hall (2424 Channing Ave., Berkeley), with meals provided at the Crossroads Dining Hall (at Channing & Bowditch. Ground floor rooms upon request. 

🍔 A commuter meal package (details below) is also available.

Parking Permits (Residents and Commuters):
🚙 Residents and commuters may also consider purchasing a parking permit for the UC Ellsworth parking lot for the duration of the workshop. Parking permits are NOT included with a housing reservation; you will need to purchase one separately for the seven days (Sunday through Saturday). Having a permit does not guarantee a space.

No refunds can be issued for parking permits.

HOUSING: 🏠 🛏️ 🚿 🍽️ SOLD OUT

Housing is right across the street! Ground floor rooms are available, however availability is finite.

We only have a certain number of rooms—when they fill, that is it. HOUSING IS NOW SOLD OUT.

A housing reservation includes dining services from Sunday night (7/20) through Saturday morning (7/26) for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. There is no reduction in price for late arrivals, early departures, or missed meals.

🛌  Beds are made prior to arrival with pillow, pillowcase, sheets, blanket, and bedspread. Two towels, a face cloth, and a bar of soap are provided. Bedrooms are not cleaned during your stay. Common areas are cleaned daily. Pillows, blankets, and bedspreads are available to exchange at each unit front desk if needed.

All meals will be in the Crossroads Dining Hall at Channing & Bowditch. You'll be issued a card for the dining hall upon check-in.

Check-in time is 3pm, and check-out time is 11am.

Housing costs are due upon workshop registration. 

Questions? Email SFEMS Workshops Coordinator Stacey Helley at workshops@sfems.org

TUITION:
Full tuition for the Recorder Workshop is $875.

Receive an early bird discount of $50 by applying before March 31. SFEMS members in good standing at time of enrollment receive an member discount of $50. These discounts can be combined!

You don’t need to pay the full tuition upfront—secure your spot with a non-refundable deposit of $250.

All outstanding tuition must be paid by July 9; however, to receive the early bird discount, balances must be paid before March 31.

Tuition (other than the $250 non-refundable deposit) is refundable before July 6.

SCHOLARSHIPS:
Tuition assistance is available through our scholarship and work study programs. Please contact administrator Stacey Helley at workshops@sfems.org for more information.

ROOM & BOARD (see above for more information):
Single-occupancy room and board is $1075 (Sunday night–Saturday morning).
Double-occupancy room and board is $950 (Sunday night–Saturday morning). Please contact us with your planned roommate to receive this rate.

Room & board must be paid in full upon registration. Full housing refunds can be issued until June 20. No housing refunds will be issued after this date.

COMMUTER MEAL PACKAGE (see above for more information):
The commuter meal package (Sunday dinner, lunch and dinner during the week, Saturday breakfast) is $TBD.

PARKING PERMIT (see above for more information):
A seven-day parking permit is $TBD.

If you have questions regarding registration or logistics, please contact SFEMS administrator Stacey Helley at workshops@sfems.org.

If you have questions about workshop programming, please contact workshop director Annette Bauer at recorderworkshop@sfems.org.