The North American Virtual Recorder Society (NAVRS) presents a brand-new season of the Medieval Mondays series. Presented by NAVRS’ Music Director Annette Bauer, Medieval Mondays explores composers, themes, and musical sources of the medieval time period from ca. 1100-1500.
The Fall 2026 roster includes: Famous Burgundian Songs – A 15th-century Hit Parade (September 14); “La Fortune de Fauvel” – Music from the Roman de Fauvel (October 19); Music from the Old Hall Manuscript (November 16); “Gaudete!” A Medieval Christmas (December 14)
All live classes take place on Mondays via Zoom from 12:30-2:00 PM Eastern Standard Time.
When curating the season, Annette Bauer said, “it has been fun and rewarding for me to curate the topics for the upcoming Medieval Mondays series, now already in its 5th edition! For each season, I strive to place side by side four independent, self-contained, and contrasting topics, trying to both allow and invite newcomers into our ongoing exploration, and at the same time to continue to deepen the interest and curiosity of those participants who have already been part of previous Medieval Monday seasons. This time around, for the fall 2026 edition, I have chosen a class on 15th century secular songs, a Burgundian hit parade so to speak, for our September class. In October, we will explore and play selections from the wonderful 14th century French Roman de Fauvel, featuring 13th and 14th century musical styles. As I was part of Ensemble Scholastica’s and Comtessa’s semi-staged production of the Roman de Fauvel here in Montreal this past spring, I am excited to share some of the highlights and insights I gained from that project. In November, English sacred music transmitted in the early 15th century Old Hall manuscript will be filling our ears. And finally, the December class features a mix of music related to the Christmas season from the 12th-15th centuries, across different geographic origins. I am looking forward to welcoming back returning participants and welcoming folks who are joining for the first time!”
For Medieval Mondays, each class features an overview of the composer and information about the music’s historical context. Attendees have a selection of music to discover and play. Scores are available for registered participants a week ahead of each class and play-along files are created on recorders. The music provided is in modern notation. Because the topics are self-contained, you can register for the entire four-part series or select from individual sessions. The playing is geared towards recorder players at the intermediate level and above with a fluency on C and and F instruments. And most of the music is accessible on alto and tenor recorders and occasionally also on soprano or bass.
NAVRS President Michael Richart said, “we’re thrilled to resume this exciting program. Medieval Mondays provides yet another opportunity for recorder players, and lovers of early music, to experience this exciting repertoire. The continued success of Medieval Mondays is a testament to not only the quality of NAVRS’ programs but to Annette’s care and love of medieval music. She pours so much of herself into it and delivers an exceptional presentation that elevates it to another level of enjoyment and learning.”
Medieval Mondays classes are recorded and the recordings are conveniently available to review and use 30 days after the last in-person class in May. All class recordings are available until June 4, 2026. Registration is open to all players; you don’t have to be a NAVRS member. Complete details are available on the NAVRS website here: https://www.navrs.org/ .
Annette Bauer is a recorder player, multi-instrumentalist, and is active as a performer and teacher. A native of Germany, she holds a diploma in Medieval and Renaissance music from the Schola Cantorum in Basel, Switzerland, and an MA in music from the University of California in Santa Cruz. She has also dedicated many years studying North Indian classical music on sarode, a 24-stringed lute. Annette currently directs the San Francisco Early Music Society recorder summer workshop and teaches ongoing early notation classes online via Amherst Early Music. She now lives in Montreal, Quebec, with her family, where she frequently collaborates with medieval women’s Ensemble Scholastica, and choreographer Sarah Dell’Ava.
The North American Virtual Recorder Society (NAVRS) is an online community of recorder players. Celebrating its fifth anniversary in 2026, NAVRS’s more than 300 members come from North America and Europe. The annual membership fee is $20 a year and Playing Meetings are $15 per session. Interested and curious players can attend the first Playing Meeting for free. Skill-building workshops are a member benefit and available for $20 each. There is an active Facebook group and members receive playback recordings of all purchased sessions that they can replay on-demand for four weeks or at their convenience for sessions they can’t attend. For more information, visit the website at navrs.org.
About NAVRS
Celebrating its fifth anniversary in 2026, the North American Virtual Recorder Society (NAVRS) is an online community of more than 300 recorder players.
