Do you bemoan the fact that you can’t perform enough because you’re not able to find a guitarist or cellist to perform with?
Or how about a harpist?
Or even another flutist?
That was my life for a time when we moved to a small area of rural New York State.
Yes, there’s an orchestra here that perhaps I could perform with. But you know what? The seats are filled and will remain so for the next 20 years.
So it seemed.
What was one to do?
I wasn’t teaching in my current college position yet. So, there were no readily available musicians. I wanted to perform, but I didn’t even have a pianist that was available to plan local recitals.
At first I bemoaned the fact that I didn’t have another flutist or a pianist or some of the main flute duo partners that composers write for. But I discovered is that if you look carefully, you will find good musicians hiding here and there in plain sight.
The performer that I eventually partnered with is a percussionist!
So, it’s all about expanding your horizons. If there is a musician near you, figure out how you can collaborate together even if it is not the typical partnership. Pick music that will suit you. Then arrange it for your group. For example, we performed Nicole Chamberlain’s great piece Stridulation for 2 Flutes and Cello but with 2 flutes and marimba, instead of cello (pictured above). It worked very well! We also performed Astor Piazzolla’s Histoire du Tango for Flute and Guitar with flute and marimba! That was really fun!
Before I found these musicians, I began teaching privately in the area. This brought me into contact with other adult flutists. So, I began a flute choir made of up my best high school students plus my adult students. These lay musicians love to play flute and I get to enjoy conducting. My Crystal City Flute Choir now includes piccolos, altos and bass flutes!
Additionally, I realized late last year that three former students of mine had moved back into the area for various reasons. They had all been flute majors at college and play at a high level. So, I asked them to form a quartet with me. I was glad that they jumped at the chance to keep performing.
Enjoy your pairing. It can be very exciting and satisfying.
If you are looking for more gigs, then search around you for fellow musicians that you can perform and collaborate with. Look carefully and think outside the box. You’ll be glad you did!
Have fun!
Doctor Flute