Don is a wonderful flute player with a gorgeous tone - you can hear a different recording of his playing on each page of his website (visit each one - it's worth it!). I particularly find Don to be an inspirational player because (like me) he is not a full-time professional musician (though you would never know that by listening to him play)! He is a constant reminder to me of how much potential is out there for all of us.
I was very fortunate to have played in a masterclass with Tadeu when he visited with the Woodbridge Flute Choir. Tadeu is a vibrant person whose enthusiasm for all aspects of life is absolutely contagious, and is especially evident in his playing. During his class I am not sure if I learned more about flute playing or teaching - he is a terrific example of both.
Jean Ferrandis was a guest artist at the National Flute Association's 2006 convention in Pittsburg. He is a beautifully expressive performer who truly elevates music beyond the level of mastery to the realm of tonal magic. He is one of the few flutists I have heard who I feel truly sets the standard in terms of what music is all about, which is, of course, people. Go to his website and listen to the sound clips - really, they are fantastic.
The website of legendary flutist James Galway contains a lot of information he has compiled about flute playing, including sound files of his playing and masterclasses. This is truly a gift from a world class flutist to everyone who is interested in improving their flute playing!
Marianne Gedigian was a soloist at the 2006 National Flute Association convention and has a playing style and personality that will leave you in awe. She performed a powerful Kachaturian concerto at the convention, as well as a charming recital. Her new CD is now available, and if you haven't heard Marianne play you should get it!
Chris is an accomplished and well known wooden flute player, specializing in Celtic, folk, and early music. He performs in Fredericksburg each summer as part of the Bluemont Concert Series. He is a dynamic performer and easily charms his audience. One always leaves a Chris Norman concert feeling upbeat - don't miss the chance to hear him live!
Emmanuel Pahud has produced some of the finest flute recordings around and regularly tours all over the world. He is coming to the Kennedy Center in November, 2007 - you should go to hear him! His recording of the Kachaturian Concerto and his Bach recording are some of my favorites in my music library.
I have managed to schedule several coaching sessions with Tom, who repeatedly travels to the D.C. area to play with the National Symphony Orchestra. Tom is a wonderfully positive teacher - very encouraging, with lots of great ideas that he generously passes along to his students. Tom is a risk taker of a player, which makes his music very interesting and exciting to listen to. It would be worth an hour coaching session just to be able to listen to/watch him play. I find when I am practicing and sounding a bit dull, I think to myself "how would Tom play this?" and suddenly my playing gets much better! Tom teaches flute at Indiana University and owns an art gallery in Chicago.
The importance of listening to a range of musicians, not just those who play your own instrument, cannot be overrated. Every instrument has its strengths and weaknesses, and you learn how to overcome some of the weaknesses of your own instrument by listening to the strengths of others. Imitating another instrument also provides you with tonal concepts that you most likely would not have imagined otherwise by thinking like a flutist.
This section is the start of some of my favorite non-flutist musicians - keep checking for updates!
I had the tremendous pleasure of performing with Steve several times during his stay in the US. Alas, he is back "across the pond" in London again, so I am down a guitarist, but you can still enjoy his playing through sound clips and videos on his website. Steve is a remarkably versatile musician, playing guitar, mandolin, banjo in jazz, contemporary, or classical settings with equal ease.
I find that I most enjoy "classical" players who venture outside of Bach and Mozart once in awhile. Playing anything from Irish to jazz to rock music involves a spontaniety and freshness that is easily stilted in the scale-practicing, metronome-using, "it's gotta be played like this or else" classical musician. Steve is a wonderful example of how working in a diverse range of styles adds a spark to classical playing that is rare and greatly appreciated when encountered. Be sure to check out his site. All best, Steve!
One of the finest civic bands around, this organization draws upon many prior military service band members from multiple states. Each concert epitomizes John Philip Sousa-style, military band performances, and is filled with an exciting mix of music, including overtures, show tunes, entertaining and virtuosic soloists, interesting commentary, and, of course, marches! It is a joy for me to play with such accomplished musicians in this ensemble.
I am occasionally called to sub with the Woodbridge Flute Choir and I always enjoy both the camraderie and the musicianship of this group. Not to mention it is one of the few flute choirs in the area that has a contra bass flute! The choir sponsors a masterclass every spring to encourage flutists of all levels to continue growing musically.
Located conveniently at the intersection of route 3 and route 1 in Fredericksburg, Forte Music Studios provides an environment of
intense learning for music students. Private lessons, classes, and recitals are available through the studio. My flute students have
performed at Greenfield's Assisted Living home as well, allowing those students to use their musical skills to give to the community.
An affordable software program that allows you to practice some of the standard flute repertoire along with the piano accompaniment. The program can be set to maintain a strict tempo, or to follow tempo changes made by the player. Endorsed and promoted by Wynton Marsalis.
Contains regular, alternate, trill, and contemporary flute and piccolo fingerings. The fingerings are good and the format is easy to read. Also prints well.
This is a great place to shop for new instruments, as their inventory is quite extensive and the sales representatives do a terrific job of telling you the information that you need and then leaving you alone so that you can try out the instruments!
Dayton C. Miller was a collector of flutes and his collection of over 1,700 flutes and flute-related art are now stored at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. You may see the collection in person by making an appointment with the Library of Congress. The collection includes many valuable and historic instruments, included a flute made by Joachim Quantz for Prussian king Frederick the Great. However, Miller felt that all flutes were worth collecting, so there are also many less valuable, folk-style instruments to see as well.
The website includes pictures of some of the flutes, so if you can't make it in person, the next best thing is right here on the web!
The following links contain access to internet newsgroups that are flute-related. These are great resources for advice and contain a variety of flute players from around the world - professional players, teachers, amateurs, students, and non-flute players who just like the flute!
This group is run by none other than Sir James Galway - read what this legendary flute player has to say about practicing, performing, and other flute related things!
Search through this website - there is much to find! You may sign up for the Flute list from this website. Also, many archive and reference resources are available from this site.
This group discusses flute related subjects, but is a bit less formal than the Flute list. Since it is not monitored as tightly, the subjects sometimes expand to music education, theory, history, flutemaking, and other less flute specific subjects. Good serious discussion mixed with some good fun makes this list a friendly place to be on the internet!
Another good resource for downloading classical music, featuring many pieces written for flute. Check out the
recordings by Sharon Bezaly on this site!
Your flute should have an annual clean, oil, and adjustment.
Over time, a complete overhaul, including a complete repadding, will be needed.
Playing the flute is difficult enough on it's own - make sure your instrument is in tip-top shape so that it is not more difficult than it has to be!
Alberto recently opened a new shop in Falls Church, VA. He does a wonderful job with my instrument, is easy to work with from a schedule standpoint, and is very good at explaining what he has done/is doing to your instrument.
This organization provides resources and events for flutists across the country. They sponsor an annual flute convention, alternating locations on the East and West coasts. They have an extensive lending library of music, which is available through mail, a membership directory, and many other valuable resources for flute players and enthusiasts. Membership includes a subscription to their publication Flutist Quarterly.
This organization provides resources and events for local flute players. They sponsor an annual weekend flute fair in February, where you can go to workshops, play in flute choir reading sessions, listen to concerts, play instruments and look for music in the exhibit hall, and much more. They also provide several flute recitals throughout the year by member flutists.
