Hello, Year 11 music students.

Since it is so far upthread, I am going to quote myself:

"In Austin TX there is an early music course called the Texas Toot. Part of the Toot is the Great Krumhorn Konklave, which is held in a beer garden. There, recorder players are handed crumhorns, told they are fingered either like a C or an F recorder, and left to have at it. Instantly they are playing pieces by Bach, Purcell, etc."

So, you see, a student doesn't have to be a clarinet player to handle a crumhorn. Any student who has had recorder or even flutaphone can pick up a crumhorn and play it. (Of course it matters whether it is an F or C instrument.)

I suspect it will be hard to get your kids to take crumhorns seriously. Why don't you start with your class clowns, give them some light-hearted pieces (rounds, funny songs, Playford dances) and let them grow into the idea? In time I think they will be ready for some Purcell or Praetorius.

A continuo of some kind might help make it all more musical.