Every year REMU arranges a weekend of workshops at Strathean Retreat Centre, a large house near Te Horo. The 2026 weekend will run from Friday morning 2nd October 2026 through to Sunday 4th October, late afternoon.

You can stay at Strathean on Thursday night for a modest extra charge.

Registration

Online registration will be available here in early September.

Tutors

The Committee is currently negotiating with a high-profile Australian tutor to lead Strathean 2026.

The Venue

The Strathean Retreat Centre venue provides several playing spaces:

• A good-sized lounge catering for around 25 players
• A medium-sized dining room hosting 15 players
• A medium sized chapel suitable for up to 20 players
• A small detached hall building that comfortably hosts 30 players plus a small audience
• A couple of large bedrooms that are adequate for smaller groups during the day

Strathean is located in rural park-like grounds, so there is always the option of time out and relaxation. Non-players such as partners are also welcome.

There are various accommodation options:

• Live in - Bedrooms accommodating one to four people with shared facilities
• Live in - Two person bedroom with ensuite bathroom (extra charge)
• Live in - Jyoti self-contained cottage sleeping four (extra charge)
• Camping or camper van in the grounds. Note that due to Strathean charges, this option is only $5 per night cheaper than living in.
• Day attendees with own accommodation off-site

If living in, you will need to bring a sleeping bag (or bed linen), and a pillow slip. Strathean supply pillows. Bedding may be hired on site at $15 per night extra charge.

Programme

There are scheduled workshops during the day:

• Small group sessions, playing with others of similar abilities.
• Plenary sessions where all participants play as part of a recorder orchestra.

The evenings are reserved for more social activities.

• On Saturday after dinner we usually have an often hilarious musical quiz and other entertainment.

Costs

Participants are welcome to attend for one or two days if pressed for time. There is a modest charge for facilities, accommodation and tutor's fees. The fees also include cleaning, leaving us more time to play music.

Based on the 2025 fees, the fee for a full-time attendee, living in Friday and Saturday nights will be approximately $390. Exact fees will be set later in 2026

There is a discount for students, and the committee will consider a discount if you have difficulty paying the full cost.

Food arrangements

REMU provide the basics - breakfast cereals, toast, tea, coffee, milk & sugar.

For the main meals, we will self-cater, with the emphasis on minimising preparation and cooking. Everyone is expected to bring food sufficient for one person for two meals. You will be allocated at least three sessions helping out in the kitchen. There are takeaways and a good supermarket in Otaki, a 5 minute drive from Strathean.

Instruments and Music

There is normally an acoustic harpsichord (A415) on site, and there are usually several participants who can play it. An electronic harpischord tunable to A440 or A415 will also be available.

Bring as many recorders (A440 and A415) as you can. Other instruments are welcome, especially early music instruments (lute, viola de gamba, viol, baroque bassoon etc). Don't forget your music stand.

Footwear

Please bring slippers or clean "inside" shoes to protect the carpet.

Location

Strathean is located at 212 Old Hautere Rd, a couple of kilometres inland from SH1 about 1km south of Otaki. Easiest access is to take the SH1 expressway Otaki exit, and take the Otaki Gorge Road exit from the roundabout. Old Hautere Road is on your right about 2km from the roundabout. Strathean is on the left about 1km down Old Hautere Road. The driveway is signposted, but easy to miss.

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