Welcome to Portland Recorder Society’s 2202-’23 season! We are excited to announce that after 2 years of online playing sessions and workshops, PRS is looking forward to more in-person gatherings, including a physical return to Menucha for the Columbia Gorge Early Music Retreat.

As I look ahead to our coming season, I can’t help but think back on the last 2 ½ years, and what a journey this has been. It began in March of 2020 when we had to cancel CGEMR just days before it was set to begin, as news of the new COVID virus began ringing alarm bells across the country. Over that summer, determined to continue the PRS monthly playing sessions, board members scrambled to figure out how to hold them online – a technical learning curve for us, as well as for our presenters and participants. Growing more comfortable with our newfound technical skills, we held a modified virtual CGEMR the following March and continued with virtual playing sessions through this past season.

During our two years of online music-making, even as we yearned for in-person gatherings, we celebrated the expansion of our membership and the ability to meet and play with folks from all over the North American continent – truly a silver lining in this COVID cloud!

We could never have done this without you, dear members! Your enthusiasm and energy, as well as your financial support from memberships and donations – you are what kept us going, and we thank you so much!

As we transition to in-person playing sessions and a return to Menucha, we will be paying close attention to CDC guidelines, and implementing safe COVID practices. Look for perhaps one or two virtual workshops this winter as a way of reaching out to our members who are unable to join us in person. Watch our newsletter for details of upcoming events and COVID protocols. Stay close, stay in touch. And again, welcome back – we can’t wait to see you in person!!