Our Programmes

Recorder Weekend with Palisander

14th March 2025 - 16th March 2025

Facilitator: Palisander

A weekend of consorts, chamber music and ensemble playing for recorder players.

International award-winning quartet Palisander curates a weekend of ensemble playing that celebrates the diversity of the recorder: with consort settings ranging from optional one-to-a-part chamber groups, to massed playing sessions focusing on large ensemble repertoire, with everything in between. The selected repertoire will span from the medieval to the present day, including repertoire unique to Palisander, tailored to this playing weekend.
Members of the quartet blend their extensive performance experience with varied teaching practice, from adult playing courses to conservatoire, to create bespoke masterclasses, recorder orchestra, and coaching sessions.

Event time: 14th March 2025 4:00pm - 16th March 2025 4:00pm

Interested in spreading the cost of this course? Select Clearpay at checkout.

Not seeing Clearpay? Email info@hawkwoodcollege.co.uk for your payment options.

What Is Included

For the majority of our courses, both residential and non-residential rates are available. Residential options are fully inclusive with all meals provided. Non-residential options include suppers, lunches and all refreshments and exclude B&B. Some of our short day courses, events and talks do not include meals and refreshments. For more details about this course, please see the Practical Information section below.

Additional Activities

Mindful walking through our woodland trails
Meditate in our Woodland Sanctuary
Go on a hike and explore the Cotswolds AONB
Discover surrounding charming market towns

At a Glance

Recorder Consorts
Large Ensemble Playing
Chamber Music

What You Will Gain

Performance confidence
Ensemble repertoire knowledge
Experience of music from the medieval to the 21st century

Recorder Weekend with Palisander Tutors

Lydia Gosnall

More about Recorder Weekend with Palisander

Join international award-winning recorder quartet for a weekend of ensemble playing that celebrates the diversity of the recorder, with consort settings ranging from optional one-to-a-part chamber groups, to massed playing sessions focusing on large ensemble repertoire, with everything in between. The selected repertoire will span from the medieval to the present day, including repertoire unique to Palisander, tailored to this playing weekend.
Members of the quartet blend their extensive performance experience with varied teaching practice, from adult playing courses to conservatoire, to create bespoke masterclasses, recorder orchestra, and coaching sessions.

Described as “Early Music’s very own Spice Girls”, Palisander enjoys giving regular family concerts and educational workshops, including partnerships with Live Music Now and Wigmore Hall. In 2023, the group achieved acclaim, performing on BBC Newsnight to champion the role of the recorder in music education. Previously the quartet has collaborated with puppet theatre company Rust and Stardust, to develop a unique family show. Palisander has been awarded another Arts Council England grant to tour educational project Recorder Revolution! bringing inspiring, interactive performances to schools and music venues across England. Supported by Continuo Foundation, Palisander launched a digital interpretation of its programme, Double, Double Toil and Trouble, incorporating atmospheric visual projection mapping in a theatrical new show, alongside an online workshop for amateur recorder players. Later this year, Palisander will launch a new children’s show supported by the Continuo Foundation, The Misadventures of Palisander and the Malfunctioning Time Machine, features Palisander’s dynamic live performance, alongside animation, audience participation and a captivating story about the power of music-making!

Palisander’s debut album, Beware the Spider! was released in 2017, receiving a 4-star review from BBC Music Magazine, as well as being voted First Place in the Magazine’s First Listen Podcast. Robert Huggil said ‘This charming disc not only shows off the ensemble's skills admirably, but provides a programme which intrigues’. Classic FM featured a live performance film of one of the pieces on the album, which has received over 5.4 million views! Palisander regularly features on radio, including France Musique and WDR.

Join Palisander at Hawkwood for a captivating weekend, developing your musical adventures with the recorder.

“Palisander – making recorders phenomenally interesting and exciting”

Katie Derham, BBC Radio 3, 2019

About Hawkwood

Hawkwood is a stunning Grade Il listed 19th Century country house, surrounded by 42 acres of sustainably managed woodland, farmland, and gardens. Set in the heart of the Cotswolds - an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty - it is a sanctuary away from the hustle and bustle of modern life. With a diverse selection of nearly 150 courses, there's plenty to choose from, including courses in transformative leadership, future thinking, inner life, music and the arts.

Other Courses You Might Like

Dance the Circle Round

15th August 2025 - 17th August 2025

Come and join this residential weekend, Stephanie’s eleventh at Hawkwood, where you will explore in dance the universal desire of human beings to identify a place as “home”. Stephanie will teach both traditional folk and modern choreographed circle dances that expand on this theme; some previous dance experience is necessary to join the group.

Weaving The Line

4th April 2025 - 6th April 2025

During this three day workshop participants will be working towards developing simple three-dimensional vessel forms and woven structures. Participants will be encouraged to consider ‘drawing’ with different materials, and to explore linear and spatial relationships by introducing content and detail with fibre and yarns. We will also work with collage, layering and weaving processes in relation to two- and three- dimensional compositions.

Rest and Restore Day Retreat

12th April 2025

Take a break from the treadmill of modern day life, and give yourself the gift of rest and relaxation on this retreat day with experienced yoga teacher Mel Skinner. Expect deeply restful restorative yoga and yoga nidra, inspiring and heart-warming poetry, and time connecting with nature. By releasing stress and tension, we can access a place within us that is already whole and at peace – all are welcome regardless of experience.