Summer Recorder Festival (SuRF)
22 – 24 August 2025
Dean Close School, Hatherley Rd, Cheltenham GL51 6EP
Applications are now closed, the course is now full!
We are still accepting applications for the waiting list in case there are any cancellations.
About SuRF
Jan and Pam founded the Summer Recorder Festival in 2015 and it is still going strong with the same friendly atmosphere and variety of opportunities on offer. Since the pandemic we have reduced numbers significantly but still have nine tutors with us for the weekend: Helen Hooker, Pam Smith, Moira Usher, Annemarie Klein, Sarah Whomersley, Kate Alsop, Julie Dean and Annabel Knight and Robin Bigwood. Annabel and Robin will once again be offering the chance to play recorders with keyboard.
Bookings can only be taken for the entire festival and there are now only Residential places available (all non-residential places are already taken).
I will allocate remaining places on a first-come-first-served basis. Players need to be able to play two sizes of recorder one of which should be tenor or bass. Registration on Friday is at 3:30 pm in the Orangery by the Bacon Theatre. The first playing session will be at 5pm and the festival finishes with a cup of tea at 4pm on Sunday.
All music will be provided but please bring a pencil and a music stand (clearly marked with your name), in addition to your recorders.
2025 Timetable
Our first tutti session with Moira is always fun and gets us all off on the right foot for the weekend. On Friday evening we will be running the carousel session again. You will be allocated a place in one of the playing rooms and the tutors will take it in turns to come to you. We started this after trying to minimize movement, mindful of covid, but it has been very well-received by people who are mostly shattered after battling with the traffic on Friday afternoon! Throughout Saturday and Sunday there will be a ‘very hard’ (VH) option, a ‘moderately hard’ (MH) option and two ‘moderate’ (M) options.
In addition to the ensemble slots, there will be the opportunity to explore the repertoire for recorders and keyboard with Robin and Annabel; the sign-up sheets are on the door of ‘Mozart’ in the music block. This year, we are planning to offer some playing at A=415 pitch.
For Saturday evening Pam will once again be arranging a large-scale baroque piece for all course participants and tutors.
The Venue
Dean Close School is situated just off the A40, five minutes’ drive from junction 11 of the M5 and Cheltenham Spa railway station. If you wish to take some time out to relax, the grounds of Dean Close School are extensive and there is a pretty garden with seats adjacent to the dining room, day school and chapel. There is ample free parking on the site. Cheltenham town centre is 10-15 min away on foot. There is free Wi-Fi on the campus accessed with a password. Further information can be found on the web site: www.deanclosevenues.co.uk
Playing rooms
The Helen Porter Hall in the music block will be the location for several sessions including the massed playing. Mozart in the music block will also be used as a playing room. There are several adjacent music rooms where instrument cases can be stowed. We are going to be using the day school for playing rooms. The ones we will be using are detached and each one has its own toilets. The day school is just a short walk from the dining room via the quadrant.
Meals
All meals, including tea and coffee, will be served in the main dining hall; this is also where you will find all the shops.
Accommodation
Accommodation will be in single rooms (shared bedrooms for couples are available) with various bathroom and semi-en-suite facilities in two accommodation blocks. NO TOWELS ARE PROVIDED so please bring your own. There are no en-suite rooms.
Shelburne is a modern block located a short distance from the main campus and has lifts to all floors. The bedrooms are semi en-suite (a bathroom between two bedrooms) and are suitable for disabled guests. PLEASE NOTE although the rooms in Shelburne are suitable for the disabled it is a short walk to the main campus and you need to use keypads to access the gates and main entrance. Please contact Jan if you would like to discuss the options for disabled. Email moc.liamgnull@75sppe.naj
Brook House is located close to the music block, where some of the playing sessions will take place. There are no lifts and the rooms in Brook are quite small. There are only a few ground floor rooms, none of which are suitable for disabled guests.
In both accommodation blocks there are kitchen facilities where tea and coffee will be provided. The provisions will not include fruit or herbal teas or decaf tea/coffee so please bring your own if required. Please bring your own mug and teaspoon.
We will not be using Tower this year.
Disabled access
Dean Close School has wheelchair access and disabled toilets. If you have a disability and would like further information about the facilities, please contact Jan.
Please note: the information in this brochure is correct at the time of printing but may be subject to alteration if circumstances change.
Application forms and your course fee should be sent to:
Jan Epps, 35 Furzehatt Rd, Plymstock , Plymouth, PL9 8QX
Email: moc.liamgnull@75sppe.naj
Telephone: 01752 417093
Payment can be by cheque made payable to ‘RECORDERS FOR ALL ‘ or by BACS with your name as the reference.
BACS details:
Bank: HSBC Account name: Recorders for All Sort code: 40-17-10 Account number: 02369214
Cancellation Policy
Recorders for all is not liable for any losses incurred if you have to cancel your booking for any reason. You are advised to take out insurance in case you are unable to attend. If Jan is able to fill your place you will receive a full refund less a £10 administration fee.
Closing date for applications is 1 JULY 2025