Festivals, Flute, Thoughts

End of Semester Thoughts

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, Utah Valley Symphony

Utah Valley Symphony Masterworks Concert

Experience the magic of music at our Masterworks concert with Guest Conductor Christian Smith!

April 17th and 18th, 2024

Join us for an unforgettable evening as the Symphony takes you on a journey through Dvorak’s Symphony No. 9, also known as the “New World Symphony”. This masterpiece encapsulates the composer’s exploration of American themes during his time in the United States.

The symphony will also perform Rossini’s La Gazza Ladra, and Suk’s Serenade for Strings, Op. 6 and Javelin by Michael Torke. Don’t miss this captivating performance.

It has some amazing flute parts in this concert. Join us!! Click here for tickets.

Flute, Performing

Winter Recital 2024

We had our Studio Winter Recital over the weekend. Even though the weather was 50 degrees, which is considered warm for Utah in January, it was still called our Winter Recital. Each flute student prepared a piece to perform. This was the first time some of them have performed in a recital hall setting on a stage like this.

I was really proud of how well each of my flute students prepared for this recital. A variety of styles were represented with pieces ranging from classical composers by J. S. Bach, G. P. Telemann, W. A. Mozart and C. W. Gluck to 19th century composer Wilhelm Popp and other pieces by modern composers William Billingsley, Chirstopher Nolan, James Rae, and Paul Harris.

Having studio recitals is an incentive to really polish a piece of music and provides an opportunity to share with your family and friends (and fellow flute players) the progress you’ve been making.

I truly believe that if you are going to take the time to develop a talent, you should take the time to share that talent with others. Bravo to everyone last Saturday!