Upcoming Events
Our Vision
Our vision for the recorder orchestra is that the group will play quality music and provide an inclusive and friendly environment in which all players will be challenged to improve their skills through large recorder ensemble playing. We will work on music that has a variety of styles from renaissance to jazz/Brazilian that features all sizes of the instrument. Members should be able to move successfully from one instrument to another using C and F fingerings and reading the bass clef. ROMW would like to offer educational experiences to the public that demonstrate the history and versatility of the recorder.
Contact Clea
Marilyn Flowers, Sue Meyer and Weezie Smith organized a recorder orchestra in the Midwest which is now celebrating 16 seasons under the leadership of Musical Director Clea Galhano. Clea is one of the world's leading recorder players. She gives concerts around the world and is highly sought after as a master teacher and workshop leader; and is well known for her recordings of renaissance, baroque and contemporary recorder repertory as well as the music of Brazil, her native country.
“Do you love recorders?”
“Do you live in the Midwest?”
“Do you want to share your love of the recorder with others?”
“Then why not join the Recorder Orchestra of the Midwest?”
We are a group of around 30 people playing the recorders from the sopranino to the great bass. We rehearse once a month during the typical concert season in the Indianapolis area under the direction of Clea Galhano, a world renowned recorder virtuoso and conductor, and perform one or two concerts each spring. Our repertoire covers music from the Renaissance to Bach to works of the 20th and 21st centuries. We're sure you have many questions about joining the group so why not take a look at our FAQ about joining.
Do I have to be a virtuoso?
No. You do not have to be a master of all recorders to join the group. However, you are expected to be comfortable with the C and F fingering systems and comfortable with the soprano through tenor recorders. All players in the orchestra switch instruments throughout the concert so you should have the ability to play the main members of the recorder family.
Do I have to pay?
Yes. We do collect dues from members to pay for rehearsal space rental, marketing, concert space rental, printing costs and other administrative costs associated with running an orchestra. Fees for the current season are $250 for members and $200 for students joining the orchestra. Fees are not due immediately and scholarships are available.
I'm coming from out of state, how should I get there?
We rehearse in and around Indianapolis. Depending where you're coming from you can choose to drive or fly. Rehearsals start at 10AM. Some members choose to get up at 5AM and drive the same day, some drive the day before and spend the night and some fly if they are coming from a great distance. If you choose to fly, fly into Indianapolis International Airport and either stay downtown or in Bloomington where we often rehearse. In addition to hotels and AirBnbs, home stays with other members can be arranged in advance. You will find that we are a very warm and welcoming group.
When are rehearsal dates for the current season?
Check out the calendar page for dates, times and locations of rehearsals.
Interested in Joining?
Please contact Clea Galhano (our Artistic Director) for more information or to ask additional questions you may have. We look forward to having you in our group.
