Category: Flute

Festivals, Flute, Thoughts

End of Semester Thoughts

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As this flute semester is drawing to a close, I’m pausing to reflect on my students’ development. I’m really pleased with how they have grown with tone, vibrato, dynamics, and rhythms, to name a few. Beyond their flute abilities, and perhaps even more important, is how they have grown in their confidence, their patience, and their dedication.

We finished our flute festivals a couple of weeks ago and all of my students received Superior ratings (again)!! Woohoo!! Way to go everyone!! However, for me, the recognition of their hard work by receiving Superior ratings is not the end goal. I believe that what is more important is what they’ve learned and how they’ve grown this past semester. Festival is a way to help push flute students to polish songs and really focus on improving certain aspects of their playing. In fact, I had one student who ended up being sick and wasn’t able to participate in festival, but I rejoice in the progress she made in preparation for the event, even though she wasn’t able to participate.

And so in music, as well as in life, we should periodically pause to reflect on the progress we’ve made since the new year and pause to reflect on what steps we can now take to continue our improvement and progression. Choose one thing you can do to strengthen your skills as a flute player. And choose one thing you can do improve yourself as a person.

Flute, Practicing, Thoughts

A New Year – A New Day

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We are eleven days into the new year. What have you done differently these past eleven days? Have you made a long list of goals or does that just discourage you? Resolutions are great but also hard to keep, especially if you are over zealous with your goals. I hear that January is the busiest time at the gym with everyone and their new goals, but then gradually attendance tapers off as people give up on their goals.

A new year seems to be more of a fresh start for many people. Although, in reality, each day should be a fresh start for all of us. A new day is a new opportunity to accept who we are yet view the fresh possibilities that lie before us for the next 24 hours.

How will YOU use this new day? How will YOU use this new year?

My advice is to start small. Goals don’t have to be monumental. Perhaps your goal today is simply to smile just a little more than you did yesterday. Maybe your goal is to be a little kinder or more forgiving. Or maybe your goal really is to exercise more. Whatever it is, start small.

Now in terms of flute practicing, again, my advice is to start small. Perhaps your goal is to practice for 5 more minutes. Maybe your goal is to listen to your tone instead of going through the motions. Or your goal could be to memorize one more measure of your song. Whatever you choose, make some kind of goal when you get your flute out and don’t just go through the motions.

And, also as with life, don’t just go through the motions. Live each day. Try a little harder and if you don’t achieve your goal, remember that tomorrow will be a new day.

Flute, Performing, Utah Valley Symphony

A Covey Center Christmas

utahfluteteacher

A Covey Center Christmas is the perfect way to invite the warmth of the Christmas spirit into your holiday season! Join with Broadway legends Mindy Smoot Robbins, Dallyn Vail Bayles, and emcee Marvin Payne for a musical extravaganza featuring the Lux Singers and Utah Valley Symphony under the batons of UVS Associate Conductor Dr. Blanka Bednarz and Lux Singers Director Leland Spindler . With traditional Christmas classics and new music that will inspire you, this is a faith-centered celebration that the whole family will love.

December 6th and 7th, 2024, 7:30 p.m. Click here for tickets.

Covey Center for the Arts 
425 W Center St, 
Provo, UT 84601

Flute, Performing, Utah Valley Symphony

Coming Together

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A week and a half ago the Utah Valley Symphony had our concert with Loren Allred which was so much fun. I love coming together with special artists. I was inspired not only by Loren’s amazing voice but also by her comments about not giving up on your dreams and how music has blessed her life. She shared how the song Never Enough from The Greatest Showman changed her life and the course of her career. You never know when one seemingly small thing will end up changing your life forever.

After the concert another orchestra member said to me, “I don’t know why that made me emotional.” I knew what she felt because at one point in the concert, I felt it too. For me, it is bringing that many people together for something that is uplifting. It fills the world with goodness and fills your soul with joy. It’s great to play a small role as a flute player in the symphony by creating that experience for such a large crowd.

Keep dreaming. Don’t give up. Keep coming together and find ways to lift those around you.