and
Music, Science of Sound, Language Arts, History, Geography.
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With characteristic panache, David Coffin has been delighting audiences both young and old in demonstrating his collection of Early Wind Instruments. His engaging presentation covers the history of the recorder from the primitive ocarina through the medieval gemshorns and the recorders of the Renaissance and Baroque periods.
With complete sets of
beautifully crafted instruments, David demonstrates each one
proficiently with period examples of music written for that
particular instrument. He illustrates with humor and vitality
the evolution of the Early Instruments and the reasons they
either evolved or became extinct.
David's instrument collection extends far beyond the recorders. He also has a broad sampling of "buzzies" and free reeds, namely the cornamuse, the most unusual bass shalmei, shawms, racket, rauschpfieffes, the Breton bombards (hold on to your hat), and the Welsh pibcorn. A complete set of pennywhistles, including the haunting octave whistles round out the wind section. He also owns and plays three different sized concertinas for his Maritime Music performances. These are also free reed instruments but of a different nature.
Can you name an acoustic melody or chordal instrument that doesn't have a hole in it?
David's animated program is
enough to encourage even the most reluctant of young
musicians to come forward and try one of these rare and often
curious instruments. With a gift for inspiring the young and
the young at heart, David will make you want to rush right
out and trade the family car for a bombard all your own.
"David's demonstration of his extensive collection of woodwind instruments provided the perfect culmination to our freshmen's study of medieval history. His account of the evolution of the instruments and his wonderful playing were enhanced by his excellent rapport with the kids. David's program is a welcome addition to the roster of school performances." -- Chris Martin, Weston PTO Creative Arts Council
Versed in various genres of music; Celtic, Traditional Folk, Romanian Gypsy, in addition to his formal background in the Renaissance and Baroque periods, David's playing illuminates his instruments in a creative and distinct style all his own. The many recordings to his credit include three solo cds, Flight of Time, The Nantucket Sleighride, and Safe in the Harbour, as well as award winning albums with The Night Heron Consort.
David's presentation will leave
students with an understanding of how these Early Wind
Instruments were played, what they sounded like and, most
importantly, that music is a vital connection to our past
while being a fun and rich expression of ourselves today.
"From the moment that David Coffin arrived bearing his fascinating collection of gemshorns, recorders, bombards, shawms, ocarinas, rauschpfieffes, etc.. the children (and staff) were captivated by his rendition of the history of wind instruments. David is a master entertainer, not only through impeccable musical talent but also his natural ability to draw in his audience. He is a music historian, comedian, virtuoso player and singer all rolled into one." Stephen Smith, Director of the Waring School Summer Music Festival
David began playing the recorder at the age of four and never stopped. Having achieved hero status amongst his peers as a recorder player in third grade he later went on to study at Sarah Lawrence College with LaNoue Davenport. Later studies with Bernard Krainis and Andrew Waldo brought him to Boston where he has performed in numerous capacities. As a singer he was a member of Schola Cantorum, and Cappella Alamire.
Since 1980, David has performed every year with the Christmas Revels, and since 1991, as Master of Ceremonies, teaching and leading Revels audiences in song. Most recently he has been named Director of Education for the Boston Early Music Festival.