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Elizabeth Shearouse is a native Nova Scotian currently residing in Timberlea with her parents and five younger siblings. Her father is the pastor of Covenant Reformed Presbyterian Church. Her family home-schools, and she is now taking correspondence university courses with Reformation International College of Florida. She has been playing the recorder for several years, completing her Grade VIII Royal Conservatory exam with first class honours in January 2007. The previous year, she won the silver medal for the highest mark for Grade VI recorder in the Atlantic Provinces. Elizabeth is a member of the Early Music Society of Nova Scotia. Her other activities include reading, knitting, writing, and teaching recorder, piano, and Music for Young Children. |
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Elizabeth currently possesses the two most popular members of the large recorder family: soprano and alto. All recorders have a fully chromatic range of just over two octaves. The alto recorder's range begins on the F just above middle C; the soprano recorder is a fifth higher, with the lowest note an octave above middle C.
Elizabeth's seasoned alto recorder is a Roessler, with a dark brown laquer on the outside. It has a gentler tone than her soprano, and this, combined with its lower pitch, renders it more peaceful and contemplative, although it can be intense at times.
Elizabeth's soprano recorder is made of tulipwood, an exotic Brazilian hardwood with distinctive reddish stripes on a tan background. The instrument is an H.C. Fehr (Model IV), purchased in January 2006 from Antique Sound Workshop. It has a clear, brilliant tone with sharply centred pitch and excellent projection.
When performing, Elizabeth usually begins on the alto recorder and then switches to soprano. The mellow alto creates a meditive atmosphere, while the bright soprano is more conducive to celebration.
Elizabeth's delicate wooden instruments cannot be directly exposed to sunlight or conditions of extreme temperatures or humidity. Although she usually performs indoors, in good weather she can play in sheltered outdoor settings. |
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