The American Recorder Society was founded in 1939 to enable recorder players to meet, improve their playing skills, and publish editions of recorder music.  In 1999, the Society celebrated six decades of service to its constituents. 

Today there are ARS members throughout the U.S., Canada, and 30 countries around the world, representing professional and amateur players, consorts and recorder orchestras, teachers, students, composers, workshop organizers, and those who make, repair, or sell recorders.  Active ARS chapters exist all over North America.

In 2005 ARS presented a successful conference at Regis University in Denver and inaugurated the Recorder Music Center.

Since 2000 ARS has awarded over $15,000 in scholarships to students of all ages and levels.  A grant was recently given to a chapter to produce a “gig book” of copyright-free music.

ARS can be found at the Boston Early Music Festival, Berkeley Festival, Amherst Early Music Festival, and the American Orff-Shulwerk Association Conference.