The International Society of Recorder Makers

This initiative should exist. While it may not appeal to old-school, secretive builders that may still be around, many open-minded, generous recorder makers are willing to share their knowledge and experience. I wonder what is preventing them from bringing this idea to life.

In the 1950s and 60s recorders were most commonly made in large factories. Their owners were proud and secretive and rarely open to outside advice.

—Brian Blood¹

I’m sure that collaboration among makers would benefit all of us. It’s important to consider that the community of professional recorder players and makers is rather small and dispersed, making it difficult to exchange information and learn from original instruments.

There are many others, but I’ll mention (just in case any of them are listening, and, why not, as a sort of invocation) a few who I’m sure would like the idea:

• Adrian Brown
• Guido Klemisch
• Lorenzo Lio
• Marco Magalhães
• Monika Musch
• Fernando Paz
• Fumitaka Saito
• Claire Sécordel
• Taavi-Mats Utt

I hope that both this initial list and the International Society of Recorder Makers become official and expanded in the future. If you’re a recorder maker and would like to be added to the first list, please let me know. An annual meeting would make a huge difference. Let’s make it happen!