Like the variety of instruments, I enjoy a variety of music and musical styles. For this February meetIng we will do just that. We will begin with a warmup on a piece or two from the Susato dance books (if you have them, bring them). Exploring our deeper sounds, we will revel in the warmth of Nicolas Champion’s, De Profundis Clamavi ad te (from the depths I cried out to you). It is a two-movement piece so be sure to grab both prima and secunda pars. The chords are so luscious and the word paintIng superb. A few tricky rhythms but nothing we cannot overcome together. Print the score and the part you want to play.

We liven up the session with some Klezmer music. I have two very good friends that are excellent Klezmer clarinetIsts, and I just love the sounds they can make. We may not be clarinetIsts, but we can make some rousing klezmer sounds with our instruments. We will be using tunes from The Klezmer Recorder Band by Hope Ehn (1984) and Desire (Sehnsucht) by Uwe Heger (2008). Get your fun fingers ready because it will be a ride!

Last month I introduced Near the Green Woods by Lance Eccles. Bring that back so we can get another chance at all those chromatIc scales! Feel free to try another part or keep picking away on the same line. 

It is of course February and the month of ValentIne’s Day. I would be heartbroken if we did not take a read through one of my favorite tunes of all tIme, My Funny Valentine (1937) by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart. The song became a popular jazz standard appearing on over 1300 albums performed by over 600 artIsts. My arrangement is a take on a saxophone quartet arrangement by Keith Young. It is a beautiful arrangement that features the bass and what could be better?

So, you see, there is something for everyone. “Variety’s the very spice of life, That gives it all its flavour.” William Cowper, The Task, 1785.

I hope you will come join us for an afternoon of music making. The sessions are open to all instruments and levels. We meet from 2:00 – 4:00 pm at Saint David of Wales, 2800 SE Harrison St., Portland. There is plenty of parking in the parking lot. Enter through the red doors on the west side of the building. 

Bring your instruments, music, pencil, music stand and during these winter months a stand light is highly encouraged. Please email me if you have any questions.

See you at Saint David’s! Laura

Music for the February 2025 PRS playing session:

This music is for the use and enjoyment of this particular workshop and may be
protected by copyright. The music is for educational purposes only. Please do not
distribute this music outside this workshop. You only need to print out the parts you want to play.

• The Klezmer Recorder Band
—Desire Score

• De Profundis prima pars, Champion
—Score
—Parts SATB, recorders and viols

• De Profundis secunda pars, Champion
—Score
—Parts SATB, recorders and viols