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  Orpheus Music proudly presents

  The Australasian Recorder Festival 2026

  January 11-16 Armidale NSW Australia

  with Opening Concert on the 10 of January
  

  also the Orpheus Virtual Recorder Competition

  More information coming soon

  

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  A celebration of the recorder in all its splendour – playing, listening, exploring. A festival of full immersion for players of all ages. Six days of technique classes, ensembles and special interest topics and concerts. There will be a separate Youth Section with multiple groups for players under 30.

  In addition there is the Australasian Recorder Competition which is open to soloists and ensembles. The Festival is residential and each group works with a variety of world-renowned tutors throughout the week.

  "What would a year be without a week in January in Armidale, dedicated to playing recorder intensively with fellow recorder addicts at the wonderful Orpheus Recorder Boutique? Orpheus Recorder Boutiques are a very rich experience for so many of us, where we can immerse ourselves in the joys of learning, music-making and team-work, with like-minded people who quickly become lasting friends. Orpheus Music also sells a fabulous range of recorders of all sizes, to suit every pocket, and music from the earliest times to the ultra-modern, to suit recorder players at every level, whether playing solo or in a group of any conceivable size. A veritable treasure trove! Thanks so much to Zana, Peter and Alexandra for their expertise and patience in providing advice and help." (Vanessa Elwell-Gavins, Hervey Bay, QLD)

  Festival enrolments are open June 1. In the meantime we suggest you join our Gecko newsletter by clicking here to keep up to date.

  Special early Bird discount from 1-7 June

  More information coming soon

  
  Tutors - for more info about each tutor click here.
  

  	Susanne Frochlich (GER)		Chris Orton (UK)
  	Anna Stegmann (GER)		Rodney Waterman (VIC)
  	Alana Blackburn (NSW)		Joanne Arnott (NSW)
  	Brendan O'Donnell (SA)	More tutors to be announce soon!

  DESCRIPTION

  About the Festival: Six days of full immersion for players of all ages. The Festival will be made up of technique classes, ensembles both large and small, special interest topics and concerts. Each group will be a balanced and fully functional small ensemble that caters to each individual's needs, and each group will work with a variety of tutors throughout the week.

  There will be a separate Youth Section with multiple groups for players under 30. Full board is available on campus - also available for unaccompanied minors (age 11 yrs and older).

  ELIGIBILITY

  All participants need to be comfortable with both C and F fingerings from tier 2 onwards (I.e. must be able to read for and play descant/tenor and treble). For more info on the tiers please click here.

  VENUE

  Presbyterian Ladies' College (PLC),15-57 Crest Rd, Armidale NSW 2350

  Full board will be available on site as well as catering for those staying off site.

  Fullboard includes all meals and accommodation on campus from Saturday 11th January evening (includes dinner) until Saturday 18th January morning (includes breakfast). All beds in dormitory are private with a cubicle and curtain, bed and desk. All accommodation includes bedding and linen. BYO pillow. All accommodation use shared bathrooms. Full board is also available for unaccompanied minors (age 11 yrs and older) who will be looked after by a House Mother and supervised in non class times.

  HOW TO GET TO ARMIDALE

  Armidale is situated half way between Sydney and Brisbane on the New England Tableland. It is an education centre and the home of the University of New England. Both Qantas and Rex fly from Sydney to Armidale and Fly Corporate flies from Brisbane to Armidale. There is a daily train service from Sydney to Armidale. For Under 18s, Orpheus Music will arrange to pickup participants from either Airport or Train station. As the Accommodation is on site, there would be no further transport needs whilst at the course.

  GROUPS AND SET WORKS

  For the Festival a maximum of 6 set works will be required. Around the end of August, participants will be organised by the tutors into groups according to standard and balance of instruments and repertoire will be selected that best suits each level. Each participant will receive a list of set works along with a part allocation in late September If you have not attended an Orpheus Recorder course, you will be contacted to discuss your playing level.

  How are participants allocated a group?

  This process takes place over several months and includes the following:

  1. Tutor feedback. At the end of each course the tutors give feedback about their technique class as to whether each participant was in the correct level in relation to their group colleagues or whether they could go up or down.

  2. Participants own evaluation of their playing standard in the application process (with reference to the Tiers described below)

  3. Participants that have not previously attended are contacted by telephone and their experience/playing level is discussed. Tutors that may have had previous experience with a player new to our course are asked for their perspectives.

  4. After the groups have been formed in their initial draft form, further input is sought from the tutors once they are able to view each group as a whole.

  Tiered system of progressions and expectations

  Note that there could be multiple groups within each tier depending on who enrols.

  For full information on tier system please click here.

  Tier 1: can play one instrument or fingering type (that is, either C [descant] or F [treble]) within a range of 1 and a half octaves, preferably having learnt for at least a year. You are keen to learn to play an alternative fingering during the course. This level only runs if there is enough interest.

  Tier 2: All participants need to be comfortable with both C and F fingerings. You must be able to read for and play descant/tenor and treble. You may be keen to learn to play bass during the course.

  Tier 3: In addition to Tier 2 requirements, you can play the bass recorder and are prepared to play it when requested (unless you have physical restrictions). You are keen to learn to read treble up the octave.

  Tier 4: In addition to Tier 2 and 3 requirements requirements you will be required to have your own bass recorder with you at all times, and can read treble up the octave and bass in the treble clef.

  Tier 5: In addition to Tier 2, 3 and 4 requirements, you will prepare your set works to a high standard and are prepared to play them in masterclass style sessions.

  NB. If you feel you fit outside of these groups or unsure where you should place yourself please include this information when you enrol.

  SPECIAL INTEREST TOPICS

  Participants will have the options of selecting 2 special interest topics to do during the festival. Participants will select their options around November when our complete programme has been finalized. The list of special topics this year will be:
  

  • • • Musica Poetica An illustrated lecture

      • A Medieval Political intrigue: The Tale of an Ambitious Horse

      • Folk songs, pudding pies and a Viennese whirl: A festival of sight-reading

      • Arranging Music for Recorder Ensemble

      • Mastering the Bass Recorder

      • Introduction to Dalcroze Eurhythmics 'Stepping into Music'

      • It don't mean a thing: Playing with swing (and all that jazz)

      • Form, Texture and Style - Form, Texture and Style

      • Incidental Music and the Role of the Recorder

      • Practice makes perfect?

      • Backing tracks and sounds decks, microphones and live effects

      • Low consort (tenor through to contrabass) - Intermediate to advanced levels

  CONCERTS

  A part of the festival there will be a variety Blackboard concerts and a final concert which are all included in the festival fee. Visitors, friends and family are welcome to attend these Blackboard and Final concerts at no additional cost. There will also be a series of three special of Festival Concerts that include the Opening Concert which participants can either select when they enrol or pay on the night. Entry free for 18 and under. The Concert Pass is for these three concerts - the Opening Concert by the tutors, and two other professional concerts.

  TRADE DISPLAY

  Largest range of recorder sheet music, recorders and accessories in the Southern Hemisphere available throughout the Festival. The display will be open from the 9th to the 16th of January. For those who are coming early as part of the Pre-festival Pass to watch the competition finals, coming a day or two earlier will allow a relaxed browsing opportunity.

  FESTIVAL TOWN DINNER

  On the final day of the Australasian Recorder Festival and after the final concert there is a Town Dinner. This will be held at the Armidale Bowling Club.

  ENROLMENT DUE DATE

  Bookings open on June 1 2025 which includes and early bird period ( 1-7 of June) and bookings close 31 August. For late enrolments please contact Orpheus Music to check if there are places remaining. We recommend enrolling early to guarantee a place at the festival.
  

  FAQ

  Looking for more information about the festival? Click here for FAQ.
  

  COSTS for 2026

  Registration Fee	Registration fee includes 6 days of tuition, blackboard concerts, final concert and morning teas
  Adult	Adult	$870
  Concession	Pensioners and full-time students only	$770
  Under 18	Secondary School Student	$580
  Primary Student	Primary School Student	$395
  On campus Accommodation and Full Board	Full board includes accommodation at the Festival venue, all meals from Saturday night 10 January through to breakfast on Saturday 17 January. N.B This fee does not include the Town Dinner on the Friday 16. All beds in dormitory are private with a cubicle, bed and desk. Dormitories come in Twin, Quad and Dorm. 1 towel, 2 sheets, mattress protector, 1 doona and doona cover are provided. N.B BYO Pillow. All accommodation use shared bathrooms.
  Single Room	Single room from Saturday 10th January evening (includes dinner) until Saturday 17th January morning (includes breakfast).	$1020
  Twin Room	Twin room with 2 single beds from Saturday 10th January evening (includes dinner) until Saturday 17th January morning (includes breakfast).	$940
  Dorm quod	Partitioned private cubicle from Saturday 10th January evening (includes dinner) until Saturday 17th January morning (includes breakfast).	$880
  Dorm	Partitioned private cubicle from Saturday 10th January evening (includes dinner) until Saturday 17th January morning (includes breakfast).	$800
  Dorm under 18	Partitioned private cubicle from Saturday 10th January evening (includes dinner) until Saturday 17th January morning (includes breakfast).	$860
  Catering	Only for those staying off-campus as catering is included for those staying on campus.
  All Lunches	6 Lunches 11-16 January 2025	$170
  All Lunches and Dinners (including the Town Dinner)	All Lunches (6) and dinners (6) but does not include Town Dinner	$350
  Town Dinner	Friday 16th January	$75
  Additional Course Add-on Options
  OPENING CONCERT	Opening Concert Saturday 10 January. Chamber Orchestra Tutor Concert. Entry free for 18s and under.	$55
  FESTIVAL CONCERT PASS	Festival Concert Saver. All concerts including the opening concert. Total of 3 concerts. Entry free for 18 and under.	$140
  Needing to come a day earlier?	If you are staying on campus you can book an additional night's accommodation for Friday 9th January	$60

  REFUNDS FOR THE AUSTRALASIAN RECORDER FESTIVAL:

  50% refund if withdrawing before 15 September 2025;

  25% refund if withdrawing before 11.59pm on 15 November 2025;

  No refund after 12.01am 16 November 2025.

  NB - it is recommended that participants consider taking out insurance in case you are unable to attend at the last minute.

  INSURANCE:
  

  To ensure a smooth and worry-free experience at the Australasian Recorder Festival, it's highly advisable to secure insurance coverage. Contacting travel insurance companies familiar with educational trips can be beneficial, given the festival's focus on learning and skill development. Providing details about the event's educational aspects, expert tutors, and structured program can help insurance providers understand the need for coverage, potentially avoiding disappointment due to unforeseen circumstances.

  HEALTH AND WELL-BEING:

  Everyone's health and wellbeing is important to us. As wind players, we understand the importance of caution, especially amidst health concerns. Therefore, we kindly ask that anyone experiencing flu-like symptoms, regardless of whether it may be related to COVID-19 or not, refrains from attending classes, concerts, or congregating in shared spaces until they have fully recovered. While we acknowledge the disappointment of missing out on festival activities, we deeply appreciate your cooperation in prioritizing the collective health and safety of our community. Additionally, we strongly advise all attendees to undergo a COVID-19 test at the festival's outset and again on Wednesday morning, aiming to mitigate any potential impact of positive cases.

• 

  Past Courses

  

  Orpheus Music has been organizing Workshops, Courses, Summer Schools, Festivals and Grand Musical Gatherings since 1994. All the courses have been held in Armidale NSW except for The Grand Musical Gatherings in 2003 that were held in Melbourne, Canberra and Newcastle.

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  For Further archival material and photos please select from below: 

  • Orpheus Recorder Boutique ORB2014, ORB2015, ORB2016, ORB2017, ORB2018, ORB2019, ORB2020
  • Australasian Recorder Festival - ARF2023, ARF2024, ARF2025
  • Gathering - Gathering 2022
  • Orpheus Music Recorder Courses - OMRC2006, OMRC2007, OMRC2008, OMRC2009, OMRC2010, OMRC2011, OMRC2013
  • Orpheus Music Choral Courses - 2009, 2010
  • Junior String Summer Schools - 2009, 2010
  • Early Chamber Summer Schools - 2008, 2009
  • Steps in Time - 2005
  • Call of the Four Winds - 2000
  • Grand Musical Gatherings - 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2002, 2003
• 

  The Australasian Recorder Competition 2027

  Proudly presented by Orpheus Music

  PRESELECTION: 12.00pm, October 1, 2026 FINALS: January 2027

  More info coming soon.

  For Media Statement click here.

• 

  Orpheus Virtual Recorder Competition

  Celebrating Australian Recorder Music

  around the world

  

  Register Now: https://www.trybooking.com/CZFVP

  Click here for full PDF of Rules, and Repertoire.

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  VISION

  The Orpheus Music Virtual Recorder Competition 2025 celebrates and promotes Australian composers and their recorder compositions worldwide. This competition invites recorder players and ensembles to submit a self-recorded video performance of a complete piece or movement.

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  COMPETITION DETAILS

  Sections:

  • Open Section (Solo and/or Ensemble)
  • Under 18 Section (Solo and/or Ensemble)

  Participants may enter twice within their section—once as a soloist and once in an ensemble.

  • Solo entries: Solo performances may include accompaniment (piano/guitar/harp).
  • Ensemble entries: Duos and larger groups are eligible. Multitrack recordings by a single player are also permitted as ensemble entries.

  To qualify for the Under 18 Section, all participants must be under 18 years old as of January 13, 2026.

  Restrictions on Previous Winners

  • First-place winners from previous Orpheus Music Virtual Recorder Competitions may not re-enter the same section.
  • Past ensemble winners may enter again as a soloist or in a group with at least 50% new members. In this case, the ensemble must have a different name.

  Video Submission Guidelines

  • Participants are encouraged to be creative! Videos may include images, photos, animations, and text, but judging will focus on musical interpretation, ensemble intonation, and presentation.
  • There is no time limit—participants may submit a single movement or a complete work.
  • Videos must be newly recorded for the competition and must not have been previously published on YouTube or other platforms.

  Finalist Videos

  • Finalists' videos will be premiered on the Orpheus Music YouTube channel and shared on Orpheus Music's website, social media, and newsletters.
  • Participants who are not awarded may publish their videos on their own channels.

  ENTRY FEE

  • Under 18 Section: $30 AUD
  • Open Section: $60 AUD

  Fees go towards the competition prizes and administrative costs. To be paid through the trybooking link above.

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  JURY

  The jury will be composed of national and international recorder professionals attending the Australasian Recorder Festival 2026. The jury's decision is final.

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  DEADLINES & ANNOUNCEMENTS

  • Submission Deadline: November 1, 2025
  • Finalists Notified: December 1, 2025
  • Winners Announced: January 13, 2026, at the Australasian Recorder Festival
  • All Finalists Notified by Email: January 14, 2026

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  PRIZES

  Open Section (Solo & Ensembles)

  • 1st Prize: AUD $1000, Interview & video feature in Gecko Newsletter, featured video premiere at the Australasian Recorder Festival, Orpheus Music Gift Pack (3 PDF publications of your choice, merchandise, CD).
  • 2nd Prize: AUD $500, featured video premiere at the Australasian Recorder Festival, Orpheus Music Gift Pack (2 PDF publications of your choice, merchandise, CD).
  • 3rd Prize: AUD $200, featured video premiere at the Australasian Recorder Festival, Orpheus Music Gift Pack (1 PDF publication of your choice, merchandise, CD).
  • Honourable Mentions: Recognition at the Australasian Recorder Festival, 1 PDF publication of your choice.

  Under 18 Section (Solo & Ensembles)

  • 1st Prize: AUD $500, Interview & video feature in Gecko Newsletter, featured video premiere at the Australasian Recorder Festival, Orpheus Music Gift Pack (3 PDF publications of your choice, merchandise, CD).
  • 2nd Prize: AUD $250, featured video premiere at the Australasian Recorder Festival, Orpheus Music Gift Pack (2 PDF publications of your choice, merchandise, CD).
  • 3rd Prize: AUD $100, featured video premiere at the Australasian Recorder Festival, Orpheus Music Gift Pack (1 PDF publication of your choice, merchandise, CD).
  • Honourable Mentions: Recognition at the Australasian Recorder Festival, 1 PDF publication of your choice.

  All prizes are in AUD.

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  HOW TO PARTICIPATE

  1. Register via the TryBooking link: https://www.trybooking.com/CZFVP
  2. Submit your video by emailing alex@orpheusmusic.com.au with a download link (Dropbox or WeTransfer). Include:
  • Section (Open or Under 18)
  • Title & Composer
  • Names of all participants
  • Recording location
  • Any relevant additional details

  HOW TO PARTICIPATE

  Click here for the full list of music to choose from.

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• 

  Orpheus Music Composition Competition 2025 

  Apply for the opportunity to have your work published, promoted, and performed. 
  Winners may receive a publishing contract with Orpheus Music and have their compositions reviewed by Recorder Magazine (UK) and The American Recorder Magazine (USA) in 2026/2027. 

  Application Deadline: 1 November 2025 

  Register here: https://www.trybooking.com/CZGKF 

  For full list of details and rule please click here.

  Eligibility: 

  • Australian and New Zealand citizens 

  • And/or International and domestic students currently enrolled at Australian universities 

  • Professional musicians and educators welcome 

  • All age groups welcome 

  Composition Requirements: 

  • Original Work – Must have been composed in the last two years and must not have won any other composition competition. 

  • Entry Limits – Up to two compositions per person. You may submit: 

  • One entry in either Solo, Solo + Accompaniment, or Duo 

  • OR two entries (choosing any two of the three options). 

  • Duration – Each composition should be between 3-10 minutes. 

  • Instrumentation: 

  • Solo – for unaccompanied recorder. 

  • Solo + Accompaniment – for recorder and piano/harpsichord only. 

  • Duo – for two recorders in any combination (e.g., SA, TB, AT, etc.). 

  • Any recorder from the recorder family may be used, including garklein, sopranino, soprano, alto, tenor, bass, great bass, contrabass, sub-great bass, and sub-contrabass. 

  • Ensure your score contains no identifying information (no name, publisher, or dates). Metadata in audio files should include only the title of the piece. 

   

  Restrictions on Previous Winners:

  • First-place winners from previous Orpheus Music Composition Competitions may not re-enter.  

  Prizes:

  1st Place:

  • $1,000 AUD

  • Publishing contract (subject to Orpheus Music’s discretion)

  • Recording of the composition

  2nd Place:

  • $500 AUD • Publishing contract (subject to Orpheus Music’s discretion)

  3rd Place:

  • $300 AUD • Publishing contract (subject to Orpheus Music’s discretion)

   

  How to Apply: 

  • Step 1: Fill out the application form via TryBooking: https://www.trybooking.com/CZGKF 

  • Step 2: Email your composition as a PDF score to alex@orpheusmusic.com.au. 

  • Optional: Submit an MP3/MIDI recording (preferred but not required). 

  • Anonymity: Ensure your score contains no identifying information (no name, publisher, or dates). Metadata in audio files should include only the title of the piece. 

  Application Fee: 

  • $40 for one entry 

  • $60 for two entries 

  Final Deadline: 1 November 2025 Submit Score 
  Finalists Notified: 1 December 2025 
  Winners Announced: 13 January 2026, at the Australasian Recorder Festival  

  All Finalists Notified by Email: January 14, 2026