Washington Recorder Society

The Washington Recorder Society (WRS), a chapter of the national American Recorder Society, is the premier place for people in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area who want to play the recorder together. For more than 50 years, WRS has been providing recorder players of all abilities with colleagues, teachers, workshops and great music from the Renaissance and Baroque eras to the present. New members and visitors are always welcome.

WRS members meet in person from September to May on the third Saturday of the month at St. Columba’s Church, 4201 Albemarle St NW, Washington, DC 20016. Music leaders David McGown and Adela Balima direct a 2-hour playing session. Bring your instruments and a music stand; music is provided. On the first Monday of selected months, members get free online instruction from well-known teachers across North America. Register online and receive the music and Zoom link. Other membership benefits include newsletters, recitals and access to the members-only part of the website.


Latest News


  • February newsletter is out!

    Click here to read the latest news about future meetings and many other recorder events. See announcements for the Washington Recorder Society Spring recital, a note with link on an Anon recorder performance, Mollie Habermeier’s answers to the ‘Whence Recorder Questionnaire’, and more.

  • Monday April 4, 7:30pm – On-line session with Annette Bauer

    Join an on-line session with Annette Bauer, talented recorder player and multi-instrumentalist. Among her specialties are medieval and Renaissance music, North Indian classical music, and performance from original manuscripts. See: https://www.amherstearlymusic.org/node/92https://soundcloud.com/annettebauer and

    https://www.youtube.com/@annettebauermusic

    On the music she is choosing, Annette says: “April Fishes, April Fool’s. Our meeting on April 1st will be all about celebrating the capricious month of April! The music I selected includes a 13th century motet, polyphonic 16th century pieces, a famous Jazz standard, and an Irish tune… What do they all have in common? – They reference the month of April in text or title! Since our musical get-together also falls on Easter Monday, I have also included a composition by Heinrich Isaac, titled “Christ ist Erstanden”. I look forward to seeing you on April 1st! ”

    To attend this meeting, register here.

  • Saturday, April 20, 10:30am-12:30pm.

    In person music playing led by David McGown and Adéla Balima. Play with other WRS members at St Columba’s Church, 4201 Albemarle St, NW, Washington DC 20016. Parking and metro available nearby. Doors open at 10:00 am to meet and greet