Recorder Fest 2025!

A free community celebration of the recorder, presented by Piffaro, the Renaissance Band: a masterclass for young musicians, a community play-in for enthusiasts of all abilities, and performances by student, adult amateur, and professional recorder players. Support for Recorder Fest has been provided by The Musical Fund Society of Philadelphia. More information can be found at piffaro.org/recorder-fest or by calling 215-235-8469.

3:00 – 5:00 p.m. – Masterclass: young musicians and adult amateurs will play for Piffaro’s current and retired artistic directors, Priscilla Herreid and Joan Kimball, accompanied by renowned harpsichordist and Curtis historical keyboard faculty, Leon Schelhase. Open to the public.

6:00 – 6:30 p.m. – Play In:  Recorder players of all ages and abilities are invited to join in a “play-in” led by artistic director Priscilla Herreid. Music will be provided in advance to anyone who registers by March 8, but copies will be available at the door for anyone who shows up with an instrument.

7:00 – 8:30 p.m.- Public Performances

• Students
  • Fountain Woods Elementary School Recorder Sinfonia, dir. Miriam Arbelo and Jamie Mallinson, Burlington, NJ
  • Mount Pleasant High School Early Music Ensemble, dir. Brian Drumbore, Wilmington, DE
  • Clara Kersting, 7th Grade, Radnor Middle School, Wayne, PA
  • Corvin Fuchs-Orner, 8th Grade, Bala Cynwyd, PA
  • Knox Seabolt, High School Senior, Virginia
  • Videos submitted by students across the U.S.: Josselin Roger, David Brown, Maple Sun, Vinayak Vikram
• Adults
  • Gregory Weaver
  • Kimberly Yocum and Molly Garrett
  • Barbara Stark and David Lawrence
  • Musica Sophia Recorder Ensemble
  • Teresa Deskur, professional recorder player, winner of 2020 Boulder Bach Festival’s World Bach Competition and Piffaro’s 2016 National Recorder Competition