{"id":803,"date":"2023-03-13T16:38:39","date_gmt":"2023-03-13T16:38:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.recordersforall.org.uk\/?page_id=803"},"modified":"2026-06-15T08:58:41","modified_gmt":"2026-06-15T08:58:41","slug":"surf-2023","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.recordersforall.org.uk\/?page_id=803","title":{"rendered":"SuRF 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"
\u00a0<\/div>\n

Summer Recorder Festival (SuRF)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Friday 28th – Sunday 30th August 2026<\/strong><\/p>\n

Dean Close School,\u00a0Hatherley Rd,\u00a0Cheltenham GL51 6EP<\/p>\n

Sorry, SuRF is now full.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The application form is here<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The printable version of this information can be downloaded here<\/a> (PDF).<\/p>\n

About SuRF\u00a0\u00a0
\n<\/strong>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: Pam Smith, Moira Usher, Annemarie Klein, Sarah Whomersley, Kate Alsop, Julie Dean, Annabel Knight and Robin Bigwood and Tim Cranmore. Annabel and Robin will once again be offering the chance to play recorders with keyboard.<\/p>\n

Bookings can only be taken for the entire festival and priority will be given to those who attended last year until 15<\/strong>th<\/sup><\/strong> \u00a0March 2026<\/strong>.<\/strong> If you did not attend last year, send me your application form straight away. Once priority booking ends, 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.\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n

All music will be provided but please bring a pencil and a music stand (clearly marked with your name), in addition to your recorders.\u00a0<\/p>\n

2026 Timetable
\n<\/strong>For the first time this year, we will be welcoming Jane Macpherson, a local senior yoga teacher and therapist who is really looking forward to being involved. At the start of the Welcome Session she will take us through 15-20 mins of chair yoga to help us warm-up and feel more flexible after the long journeys which many of you will have had. In order to maximise space, please bring your music stand still folded and instrument still in its case and put them under your chair while we do the yoga. Then we\u2019ll play! Greats and contras will be welcome in this first session and can be set up on or in front of the staging at the back of the hall.<\/p>\n

After dinner we have our usual Friday evening carousel.\u00a0 There will be two slightly longer sessions for each group than last year, which will make for more actual playing time and a less-frantic time for the tutors! You will be allocated a place in one of the playing rooms and the tutors will come to you.\u00a0 All music will be for SATB and of a moderate level of difficulty. Before heading to bed, or to the bar, Jane is offering a 15-20 minute yoga relaxation session in Day House 2 (the Day House we don\u2019t use for music sessions). There will also be a \u2018yoga-before-breakfast\u2019 session on Saturday morning.<\/p>\n

Throughout Saturday and Sunday there will be a \u2018very hard\u2019 (VH) option, a \u2018moderately hard\u2019 (MH) option and two \u2018moderate\u2019 (M) options. On Saturday Pam will be running some sessions for anyone who would like to play renaissance facsimile. The pieces will be short and accessible to all.<\/p>\n

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 \u2018Mozart\u2019 in the music block.\u00a0 If there is sufficient interest we are hoping to offer a session with keyboard at 415 pitch.<\/p>\n

On Saturday evening Moira will be leading us through the monumental 40-part motet by Thomas Tallis – Spem in alium.\u00a0 What a treat!<\/p>\n

We welcome back, this year, Tim Cranmore who has also promised to bring a carrot or two with him, following his success with King Charles.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/sounds\/play\/p0l2jtt8<\/a><\/p>\n

One of my reasons for wanting to involve Jane in the festival is especially to look after ourselves when we play larger instruments. It therefore seemed logical to have a longer 30 minute yoga session on Sunday morning before the start of my 8ft session.\u00a0 This is open to all, even if you are not coming to my session but is especially relevant to players of larger instruments and will focus on minimising tension and improving posture and breath control.<\/p>\n

The Venue
\n<\/strong>Dean Close School is situated just off the A40, five minutes\u2019 drive from junction 11 of the M5 and Cheltenham Spa railway station.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 Further information can be found on the web site: www.deanclosevenues.co.uk<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Playing rooms
\n<\/strong>The Helen Porter Hall in the music block will be the location for several sessions including the massed playing.\u00a0 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 will be using the \u2018Day Houses\u2019 for playing rooms. These are detached and each one has its own toilets including disabled; they are also just a short walk from the dining room via the quadrant.<\/p>\n

Meals
\n<\/strong>All meals, including tea and coffee, will be served in the main dining hall; this is also where you will find all the shops.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Shops
\n<\/strong>The Early Music shop, Barratt Recorders with Anthony Barratt, Recorder shop London with Julie Dean, Hawthorns music with Alyson Lewin, AK Music with Annabel Knight and Recorder Music Mail with Ruth and Jerry Burbidge.<\/p>\n

Accommodation\u00a0
\n<\/strong>Accommodation will be in single rooms (shared bedrooms for couples are available) with various bathroom and semi-en-suite facilities in two accommodation blocks.\u00a0 NO TOWELS ARE PROVIDED<\/strong> so please bring your own. There are no en-suite rooms.<\/p>\n

Shelburne<\/strong> 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 <\/strong>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<\/span>@75sppe.naj<\/span><\/p>\n

Brook House <\/strong>is located close to the music block, where some of the playing sessions will take place.\u00a0 There are no lifts <\/strong>and the rooms in Brook are quite small. There are only a few ground floor rooms, none of which are suitable for disabled guests.\u00a0<\/p>\n

In both accommodation blocks there are kitchen facilities where tea and coffee will be provided. The provisions will not<\/strong> include fruit or herbal teas or decaf tea\/coffee so please bring your own if required. Please bring your own mug and teaspoon.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Disabled access
\n<\/strong>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.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>Please note: <\/em><\/strong>the information in this brochure is correct at the time of printing but may be subject to alteration if circumstances change.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0Application forms and your course fee should be sent to:<\/p>\n

Jan Epps, <\/strong>35 Furzehatt Rd,\u00a0<\/strong>Plymstock ,\u00a0<\/strong>Plymouth ,\u00a0<\/strong>PL9 8QX<\/strong><\/p>\n

Email: \u00a0 moc.liamgnull<\/span>@75sppe.naj<\/span><\/strong><\/a> \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong>Telephone: 01752 417093<\/strong><\/p>\n

Payment can be by cheque made payable to \u2018RECORDERS FOR ALL ‘<\/strong> or by BACS with your name as the reference.<\/p>\n

BACS details:\u00a0\u00a0
\nBank: HSBC\u00a0 \u00a0 <\/strong>Account name: Recorders-for-All
\n<\/strong>Sort code: 40-17-10 <\/strong>Account number: 02369214<\/strong><\/p>\n

Cancellation Policy
\n<\/strong>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 \u00a310 administration fee.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Closing date for applications is 1 JULY 2026<\/strong><\/p>\n

The application form is here<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The printable version of this information can be downloaded here<\/a> (PDF).<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u00a0 Summer Recorder Festival (SuRF) Friday 28th – Sunday 30th August 2026 Dean Close School,\u00a0Hatherley Rd,\u00a0Cheltenham GL51 6EP Sorry, SuRF is now full. The application form is here. The printable version of this information can be downloaded here (PDF). About … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-803","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.recordersforall.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/803","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.recordersforall.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.recordersforall.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.recordersforall.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.recordersforall.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=803"}],"version-history":[{"count":31,"href":"https:\/\/www.recordersforall.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/803\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1014,"href":"https:\/\/www.recordersforall.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/803\/revisions\/1014"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.recordersforall.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=803"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}