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What is the CREMS Orchestra?

Our CREMS Orchestra is one large playing group led by our Musical Director, Barbara Jerjen.

We play a wide variety of music from ancient through to modern times, and for different sized recorders.  It is very satisfying for players to move from 'just playing notes on a page' to interpreting a piece and playing it well together!  To improve technique and make the most of the orchestra playing, we ask that players practise their allocated parts between rehearsals.

In 2025 we plan for the CREMS Orchestra to perform in an in-house concert in October.

Hear our Orchestra 🎧

When/Cost?

The CREMS Orchestra rehearses monthly from February-June (Semester I) and July-October (Semester II).  Sessions are 2.5 hours including a refreshment break and a chance to mingle!  See the 2025 Calendar for dates and times.

The fee for 2025 Semester I is $95 per player to cover tutor fees and room hire costs.  Youth/student players are not charged the fee.

Playing level?

The CREMS Orchestra caters for players that can read music and play at a reasonable level - both adult and youth players.  Bonus points if you can play more than one size of recorder and at least one and a half octaves.  But if not, please don't let that put you off - have a conversation with our Musical Director to see what is possible.  Many descant players easily take up the tenor recorder.  Once you've added one recorder to your playing ability, you will find there are many more to add!  The CREMS Orchestra is a good opportunity to support you learning new recorders and clefs.

Do I need to be a member?

Yes - Orchestra players must be current financial members of CREMS.  See Membership.

If you would like more information, or if you would like to come along and see our CREMS Orchestra, please contact our President at cremspresident@gmail.com 

What is the CREMS Performance Ensemble?

Our CREMS Performance Ensemble is another playing group led by our Musical Director, Barbara Jerjen.  A smaller group than our Orchestra, the Performance Ensemble provides the opportunity for players wanting that "extra challenge" to play diverse, and sometimes demanding, music. Commitment to practice and attendance at rehearsals is important for ensemble quality.

In 2025 we plan for our Performance Ensemble to perform in an in-house concert in October.  Future activities may include the possibility of other performances.

Hear one of our ensembles (Armidale 2025) 🎧

When/Cost?

The CREMS Performance Ensemble rehearses monthly from February-June (Semester I) and July-October (Semester II).  Sessions are 2 hours.  See the 2025 Calendar for dates and times.

The fee for 2025 Semester I is $115 per player to cover tutor fees and room hire costs.  Youth/student players are not charged the fee.

Playing level?

The CREMS Performance Ensemble is pitched at high-intermediate to advanced musicians with solid ensemble experience.  Players will be able to play different sized recorders, learn several parts of any given piece of music, and have the confidence to play a part themselves.  Bonus points for treble players who read their part up the octave, and bass/great bass players who can read their part in both treble and bass clefs.

Do I need to be a member?

Yes - Performance Ensemble players must be current financial members of CREMS.  See Membership.

If you would like more information, please contact our President at cremspresident@gmail.com

In 2025 we plan to offer at least two one-day workshops conducted by recorder and/or early music specialists - tentatively in June and November.  Actual dates will depend on the availability of the tutors and will be advertised nearer to the time.  More details to come, we have plenty of wonderful professionals to draw on!