What a wonderful weekend it was – filled with flute!
The Washington Flute Society did a great job of putting on this convention. There was something for everyone and more. The exhibit hall was filled with flutes and music and the sessions were a nice mix of recitals and pedagogy.
I went to this convention to present a session on “5 Methods to Improve Your Tone Today.” Since this was scheduled for Sunday mid-morning, I was able to attend sessions all day Saturday and just enjoy the event.
Enjoy I did!
The first session I attended was presented by Lea Pearson and her innovative methods to help us all play better by using using our bodies better. She definitely has interesting ideas that I need to explore more. I am also scheduling a time to Skype with her and discuss her ideas on breathing.
The next event on my schedule was Nina Assimakopoulos’ “Cirque de Flute.” Nina has introduced some innovative ideas into the flute ensemble and her own solo performances.
Of course, Nina’s playing was superb and the pieces she performed included many extended techniques and methods. Her groups used movement and dance to portray the music in a new light. The performance definitely took the normal flute ensemble to a new level of musical enjoyment by expressing the music in movement as well as notes.
You can hear her groups performing at the New York Flute Fair and the NFA convention this summer. It would be well worth your time to go and see these performances.
Don Bailey’s session was next on my list. “Listen! Learn to Sing Through Your Flute.” What a musician! He discussed how vibrato should be a thing of change and discovery. In this session he worked with students, using Moyse melodies, teaching how to use vibrato to enhance the music rather then to just always play with vibrato. It was a good reminder to be intentional in your use of vibrato not formulaic. Whenever I hear Don Bailey give a masterclass I am aware that I am in the presence of a master!
The invited guest of the convention was Valerie Coleman. She presented a recital and a masterclass for the attendees. Her recital was a beautiful collection of her own music and some masterpieces of the flute repertoire. I personally love it when a recitalist speaks to the audience about the pieces which they are performing. It gives an insight into the pieces, the composer, or their rational for the program. When the performer speaks to the audience, they bring themselves and their performance closer to the audience. This added a nice personal touch.
Valerie Coleman also ended the 2-day event with a masterclass of students performing. She was wonderful with the students, giving them feedback on their solo piece. Her work with them was stellar and I hope they went home better musicians.
On Sunday I presented my session on tone development: “5 Methods to Improve Your Tone Today.” The room was full to the point that several attendees were sitting on the floor or standing in the back – what a thrill!
However, I showed up 15 minutes early not realizing that the start time had been delayed by 15 minutes! I had been emailed a time for the session to begin, which was also posted online, so I didn’t think to check the program that morning.
ALWAYS CHECK THE PROGRAM FOR THE OFFICIAL START TIME.
When I began, I was wondering “where is everyone?” Well, I was glad I didn’t rush into the content of my workshop, because by the correct start time, the room was full and still filling.
I love giving sessions, especially when it’s a hands-on workshop. Because then I can listen to what some are doing and offer immediate advice. When I finished, there were lots of good questions and some even stayed for what seemed like another full session to get their questions answered and to have some 1 on 1 coaching.
That was great fun! The “meetings after the meetings” can really be the best.
That’s when I got to spend time with Samantha Donnell (@flutist.donnell) and Tyler Schmidt (@tylerschmidt_flutist) of Elev-8* whose performance I thoroughly enjoyed the day before!
There was much more going on at the Mid-Atlantic Flute Convention, but one can only attend so much while still saving time to visit the exhibits. Because, who doesn’t want to play a $40,000 platinum flute? Hmm? It is a highlight to explore the flutes and music that are available to us today.
My favorite vendor time was spent with Alan Weiss, Artist in Residence with Haynes, learning about MY flute. I have a solid silver Haynes (#51607) with a gold riser that I bought around the turn of the century from Jeff Weissman – a memorably fabulous experience. I learned that it’s a limited edition made for the European market sharp scaled flute tuned to A444. The best advice from Alan was to keep this great flute and just get a complete overhaul with Straubinger™ Pads from the Flute Center of New York. These pads are supposed to reflect the sound, rather than absorb it. I look forward to showing you the “before-and-after” videos!
I came away with the idea that the flute I thought was my “when-I-have-$15,000-dollars-of-disposable-income-to-buy-another-flute” is not the flute for me today. It was surprising that it no longer does anything for me. Since trying that flute at NFA 2015, I’ve worked intensely on my tone to the point where I’ve significantly changed my sound. But that discussion will have to wait. However, I did play my flute with a 5% gold Haynes headjoint, and it did still WOW me!
My favorite new flute that I tried was a Burkart 5-95 Elite Platinum Enhanced Silver with a 5-95 M2 headjoint. I look forward to an extended trial of that beauty.
The Muramatsu DS also had the wow effect on me.
All in all it was a great event of all-flute-all-the-time. What could be better than that?
Next stop – the NFA Convention this August in Orlando where I will be performing On a Poem by Miho Nonaka Harvard Square by Shawn Okpebholo. Plan to come to NFA, or to the Mid-Atlantic Flute Convention next year in VA.
Immerse yourself in flutes.
You’ll be glad you did!
Doctor Flute