While still in college, four years ago, the musicians' brother got married. He wanted them to play at his reception. "It was an outdoor reception," said Wendel. "And Kierstin didn't want to play the organ outside, let alone move it. So she decided to put a recorder group together."

"We were all friends and still are," said Mortensen. "So when Kierstin and Rachel asked us to play along with them, we said, 'Sure.' "

As the group played together more often, they began forming their identity. These days, the four play recorders and percussion, but they all have other specialties. Mortensen plays the zither, Wendel plays the mandolin, Gibbs plays the harp and lute, and Strack plays the tenor and soprano recorder.

The group's name is derived from dorian, a mode or scale used in music of the fifth century, and mirth, which is taken from the Old English "myrgth," a word meaning "festive" and "joy."

It's been a busy year for Dorian Mirth. Not only does the group play weddings and corporate parties, but it will debut its first CD, "Pluck, Rattle & Bow," in Los Angeles.

"We didn't think we could make a CD," said Wendel, who arranges the group's music. "It wasn't a realistic option. The only other recordings we made were in Gina's basement. We've had people ask about a CD for quite some time, but didn't have the means to do it. But that changed. My boyfriend had access to a facility and we were able to make a CD."

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E-mail: scott@desnews.com