Jane's interest in music making began at a tender age when she mimicked playing instruments to music on the family's first black and white television. Recorder lessons taken at primary school were quickly followed by Violin, Flute and Piano, and an unusual grounding in composition from David Soby, a jazz pianist formerly of Kenny Ball's jazz band. Jane studied Flute at Trinity College, and went on to develop her interest in Medieval and Early Music touring and performing in the Medieval Society Wind Band. Approached by South Hill Park in 1979 to give Recorder and Flute lessons, she established the original Recorder Consort which has gone from strength to strength.

Recorders, Rebec, Gemshorns, Crumhorns, Flute, Harp, Percussion.

Recorders, Crumhorns, Racket, Dulcimer, Percussion

I don’t remember ever not playing the recorder but the inevitable happened at school and leaving the recorder behind I progressed to the trumpet, enjoying playing in the county schools orchestra, the local brass band, and later a small jazz band. Living in Chichester I also had the opportunity to play and sing in the beautiful cathedral there. I lost touch with performing when I left school but the recorder was always there, and I continued to play it regularly, but on my own, so when I saw the BRC perform I thought how I would really like to join a group of musicians again. I decided to give it a go and as I only played the descant I had a lot to learn. Now I find myself playing many other instruments as well, including crumhorns; percussion; cornettino; harp; ocarinas; voice and also even arranging a few pieces for the group to play.

Recorders, Rebec, Crumhorns, Glockenspiel

I have been playing Recorder since I went to University, but then I had a bit of a gap when I staretd work, and took it up again in the late 80's when I joined the Recorder group at South Hill Park (the pre-cursor of BRC).

I enjoy playing in the BRC because group playing is so rewarding, and we play such a wide variety of music and styles. There is always something to suit all tastes.

Recorders, Glockenspiel, Voice (bass)

Recorders, Crumhorns

Recorders

Lizzie is mostly an organist, but loves playing recorders and percussion. She is tickled pink to be allowed to play the group's virginal now and then.

Instruments played: Recorders, Crumhorns, Virginal

Recorders

Recorders, Harp

Voice, Recorders

Voice, Recorders

Recorders, Virginals, Crumhorns, Voice

A few years ago I started to look for a second instrument to play, in addition to my main instrument, the piano. I heard the nyckelharpa on a CD quite by chance and immediately fell in love with its sound.


The nyckelharpa is a Swedish instrument and has been in existence since medieval times. It has four strings, three of which are melody strings. It is a fully chromatic instrument and the notes are made by a system of keys which stop the strings when pressed. There are also twelve sympathetic strings under the main strings which resonate when the melody strings are played and give the instrument its characteristic haunting quality.

The bowing position can be seen in one of the photographs.

It's mainly used in traditional music in Sweden, where it's a popular instrument, but it sounds good in medieval music and I enjoy playing with the Consort on these occasions.