About

Who We Are

The British Double Reed Society (BDRS) is a charitable organisation dedicated to advancing the interests of everyone involved with double reed instruments. Serving as a national forum, the BDRS facilitates the exchange of ideas, information, and advice on all aspects of these instruments. We also play a key role in promoting greater appreciation for double reeds and securing their place in the broader cultural and educational landscape.

Founded in 1988 by George Caird and William Waterhouse, the BDRS was established to support and promote the interests of all double reed players, including students, amateurs, professionals, and teachers. Through the vision and dedication of its founders, the BDRS has grown steadily, offering a diverse range of valuable services to its members and providing a platform for the exchange of expertise, knowledge, and opinions on all matters related to double reed instruments.

The Society is honoured to have Nicholas Daniel OBE serving as Oboe President, Roger Birnstingl as Bassoon President, and Sir Karl Jenkins as President Emeritus.

The BDRS continues to award Honorary Membership to individuals in recognition of outstanding service and exceptional contributions to the double reed community, including Christine Pendrill, David Theodore, Deirdre Dundas-Grant, George Caird, June Emerson, Mark Elder, Michael Britton, and Meyrick Alexander.

Registered Charity No. 1080461

Membership

The British Double Reed Society (BDRS) was founded in 1988 to promote and enhance the interests of all double reed players – whether students, amateurs, professionals, or teachers.

Becoming a member of the society opens up a whole spectrum of opportunities to meet, play, discuss, enjoy, and promote double-reed instruments.

Double Reed News

  •   3 Issues each year
  •   36-page magazine full of news, events, contacts, supplies, articles and classified ads
  •   A must for double-reed players!
  •   BDRS members have preferential rates for advertising in Double Reed Reed News

Concessions & Discounts

  Enjoy Enjoy 10% discount on music, insurance, and accessories from:

  Enjoy access to Associate membership of IDRS. This includes newsletters, online resources, The Double Reed magazine, and discounted conference rates plus competition eligibility.

Events

Join the BDRS

The BDRS Comittee

The BDRS Committee is a dedicated team of volunteers committed to promoting and supporting the double reed community across the UK. We are always looking for enthusiastic individuals to join us in furthering our mission. If you are interested in becoming more involved with the BDRS, please contact us at secretary@bdrs.org.

Our History

The British Double Reed Society (BDRS) was born out of a collective desire to support and promote the double reed community across the UK. The first edition of *Double Reed News* was published in September 1987, thanks to funding from T W Howarth, Sanderson and Taylor (Fox agents), and the Royal Northern College of Music, which also hosted the 1989 International Double Reed Society (IDRS) conference. The publication was managed by Peter Munro with William Waterhouse serving as the editorial adviser, setting the stage for a dedicated platform for double reed enthusiasts.

The formation of the BDRS was officially announced in the fifth edition of *Double Reed News* in November 1988. A steering committee, chaired by Tony Allcock and including notable figures such as Michael Britton, George Caird, Peta MacRae, Graham Salter, and William Waterhouse, was established on November 15th of that year. The committee's mission was to serve the needs of double reed players of all ages and abilities throughout the British Isles. Their goals included organizing courses and events for players and teachers, publishing a quarterly journal, providing an advisory service, and compiling a directory of double reed resources.

By 1989, the BDRS was fully operational, offering its members practical benefits such as discounted access to events and supplies, and concessionary terms for the IDRS conference in Manchester. Membership was set at £7.50, providing access to a range of services designed to foster a vibrant and supportive community for double reed players. Since its inception, the BDRS has continued to grow, remaining dedicated to its founding principles of education, community, and support for all double reed enthusiasts.

  • The British Double Reed Society (BDRS) is committed to maintaining the highest standards of governance, safety, and inclusivity in all our activities. On this page, you will find important documents that outline our policies and practices, ensuring that we provide a safe, respectful, and welcoming environment for all members of the double reed community.

    Our Constitution contains information of our governance as a Society with the Charities Commission. Our Safeguarding Policy details our commitment to the welfare and protection of children and vulnerable adults involved in our events and activities. The GDPR Statement explains how we collect, store, and use personal data in compliance with data protection regulations. You can also access our Constitution, which governs the structure and operations of the Society, and our Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Statement, which affirms our dedication to fostering a diverse and inclusive community.

    We are delighted to announce that the British Double Reed Society has joined Sound and Music’s Fair Access Principles, a code of best practice designed to foster successful, open, and inclusive artist development programmes, competitions, and awards for composers. By adopting these principles, we are committed to ensuring equal opportunities and accessibility for all, aligning with our mission to support and promote the double reed community. You can learn more about our commitment here. We are also proud to adhere to the ISM-MU Code of Practice, which upholds professional standards for working musicians, providing guidance on fair treatment and working conditions.

  • The British Double Reed Society (BDRS) annually recognises individuals who have made significant, long-term contributions to the UK double reed community by awarding them the prestigious title of Honorary Member. This title honours those who have demonstrated exceptional commitment and impact, helping double reed activities in the UK flourish and thrive.

    Eligibility Criteria

    Honorary Membership is open to established UK residents—whether amateur or professional—who have made a substantial contribution to the double reed community over an extended period. Nominees can include, but are not limited to:

    • Teachers and Performers who have inspired and supported generations of double reed players.

    • Retailers, Makers, and Repairers who have provided valuable services or products to the community.

    • Composers who have enriched the double reed repertoire.

    • Sponsors or Advocates who have actively promoted or supported double reed activities in the UK.

    Nominees do not need to be current or past members of the BDRS. Long-serving committee members who have significantly contributed to the Society and its activities over time are also eligible for consideration.

    Each new honorary member will receive free lifetime membership to the BDRS.

    Nomination Process

    Each year, the BDRS seeks nominations from its members to identify individuals deserving of this honorary recognition. The nomination process is as follows:

    1. Nominations must be submitted by at least two current BDRS members, who may include members of the committee. 

    2. Nominators are required to provide a brief submission detailing the nominee's achievements and how they meet the criteria for Honorary Membership.

    3. A subcommittee of at least three BDRS members will review the nominations and assess whether each nominee meets the required criteria.

    4. In the event of multiple strong nominations, the subcommittee will determine which candidate should be awarded Honorary Membership for that year. Any nominee not selected may be reconsidered in future years.

    The final endorsement of new honorary members will take place at the Society’s Annual General Meeting (AGM).

    For more information on the nomination process or to submit a nomination, please contact us at secretary@bdrs.org.uk or use the following form: https://forms.gle/mrpnt7KL3vywfPw78

  • The British Double Reed Society (BDRS) occasionally provides small grants to support concerts, courses, workshops and other double reed related events across the UK, in line with our charitable aims to promote performance, education and community engagement.

    If your event has received financial support from BDRS, we ask that our contribution is acknowledged wherever possible. This should include use of one of our two official BDRS logos on publicity materials such as posters and flyers, inclusion in printed or digital event programmes, and acknowledgement in at least one social media post. Suggested wording is: “With kind support from the British Double Reed Society BDRS.”

    By recognising our support, you help us raise awareness of the Society’s work and sustain future funding for double reed activities throughout the UK.

    Click here for BDRS latest logo

    Click here for black and white BDRS logo

Contact Us

If you have any queries or would like more information about the BDRS and its activities, do please get in touch. 

If you are getting in touch about membership queries, please email membership@bdrs.org.uk. All queries about advertising in our magazine or newsletters can be directed to advertising@bdrs.org.uk.