Raleigh Area Flute Association August Newsletter

August TuneInLogo

2011

Rachel Niketopoulos

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Pam Nelson

Alexander Technique Class

Led by

Pam Nelson

Rachel Niketopoulos

Sunday, September 25

2:00 - 5:00 pm

Meredith College, Room 121 Jones

(Jones Hall is connected to Wainwright Music Building, the building closest to the lake and amphitheater).

RAFA will open its 2011-2012 season with a participatory Alexander Technique workshop, led by RAFA member Pam Nelson and NC Symphony musician and certified AT instructor Rachel Niketopoulos.

What is Alexander Technique?

Alexander Technique helps us to move with more grace and ease. Over the course of individual lessons, students learn to identify the unhelpful habits and excess tension in their bodies. We can ALL benefit from learning how to play and breathe easier, even if we don't experience shoulder or back pain. As flute players, however, many of us have experienced sore shoulders, back, or neck muscles from long hours of practice and rehearsal. This keeps us from performing our best and can lead to physical problems later in life.

Alexander Technique is about preventing problems before they happen, in addition to helping people who may be suffering. In this workshop, we'll learn about the basics of breathing, sitting, walking, standing, and holding the flute. Everyone can learn to let go of a little more effort in flute-playing. To read more about F.M. Alexander and his technique, check out these websites:

http://www.alexandertechnique.com/at.htm, http://www.alexandercenter.com/,

http://www.bmj.com/content/337/bmj.a884.full.

What to bring?

Bring your flute and wear comfortable clothes that allow free movement (no skirts, no jeans). If you have a yoga mat, please bring it. If not, a towel will work just as well. Bring a notepad and pen for note-taking. And bring an open mind to learn new habits and ways of moving. You'll be glad you did!

There is no pre-registration. Just come and enjoy this opportunity to learn how to de-stress and move more easily. See you there!

Renew Your Membership

All RAFA memberships expired the end of June. If you have not yet renewed your membership for the 2011-2012 season, please take a few moments to mail in your membership form & dues.

Season highlights this fall include an Alexander Technique class with Pamela Nelson and Rachel Niketopoulos (Sept. 25), the annual Review & Contest (Nov. 6), and the Nov. 12th Flute Fair with guest artists Jill Felber and Dianne Frazer. Details at www.RaleighFlutes.org.

Flute Choir Audition Info for Fall 2011 Semester

RAFA's flute choirs will be starting up again in September and we'd love for you to join! It is our hope that in a RAFA flute choir you'll become a better musician, have enjoyable musical experiences, and make friends, among other things. There are many benefits to being in a flute choir-check us out!

Auditions for Silver Pipes and Silver Fantasy are Sunday, August 28, beginning at 1 p.m., and Wednesday, September 7, beginning at 7:30 p.m. There is no audition for Silver Winds. Auditions will take place at St. Philip Lutheran Church, 7304 Falls of Neuse Rd., Raleigh 27615. You must schedule an audition time with the director. If these dates don't work for you, please contact the director to schedule an alternate time.

For more info, including audition requirements, go to http://www.RaleighFlutes.org. Contact the director, Sonja Noykos, to schedule an audition or to ask further questions:

616-634-3292 or sonjanoykos@gmail.com.

Second Winds

The first meeting of the Second Winds group for the 2011-2012 season will be held on Sunday, August 28, at 2:00 in the parlor of St. Philip Lutheran Church on Falls of the Neuse Rd.

What is the Second Winds group? If you tremble with fear at the thought of an audience sitting before you as you play, this is the group for you. A gathering of adult, amateur flutists, we are understanding, patient, kind, friendly -- supportive in every way. Playing alone is not a requirement. But do come and try us out -- and bring your flute, as we will all sight-read together for the first part of the meeting.

Call or e-mail Mary Croghan if you have questions: 919-835-4378,

croghanm@gmail.com.

Come one and all! Play alone or with a duet partner -- or not.

Review & Contest

October 1 Registration Deadline

RAFA's 27th Annual Review and Contest will be held November 6, 2011. Music list, registration form, and guidelines are available online. Each participant prepares two solos from the music list and chooses to enter either the Contest (competition) or Review (written feedback only). Students and adults of all ages and levels are encouraged to participate! Deadline to register is October 1. Contact coordinator Lauren Robbins-Pollack with any questions at density21.5@earthlink.net or (919) 557-2272.

NFA Convention Highlights

The RAFA YouTube choir's NFA concert featured music of Triangle composers, including compositions by choir members Michelle Dunn, Sonja Noykos, and Ann Pearce.

About 50 RAFA members attended the National Flute Association (NFA) Convention in Charlotte (NC) earlier this month. Many RAFA flutists presented workshops, adjudicated competitions, presented recitals, performed in flute choirs, and volunteered their time to help this incredible four days of slam-packed flute activities run smoothly. It was an amazing opportunity to hear from and personally meet with world-class artists, test the newest flutes, and receive inspiration from a wonderfully eclectic range of flute activities. We invited some of our members to share their convention highlights. . .

Cindy Chastang:

- Hearing Trevor Wye do his Variations on Carnival of Venice. So creative and so much fun!
- In a single day hearing Klezmer, North Indian Ragas, Music from Turkey, and topped off by Rhonda Larson's fabulous performance.
- The fabulous Concerto Gala Concert - such wonderful playing and such a variety of styles!

Mary Croghan:

- Patricia George's session called Power Practice, which motivated me to use my practice time efficiently by using some of her techniques.

- Flute Lovers' Lunch, where Paula Robison spoke humorously and movingly about Carnegie Hall and her performing history there.

- Paula Robison and guitarist Frederic Hand's Headliner Recital -- a great example of simple music played beautifully.

Michelle Dunn:

- Photographing and spending a few minutes with Rhonda Larson and Kate Steinbeck - together. They are two of my most significant inspirations in the flute world. And I'm very pleased to say that they are also my friends. They're just fantastic!

- Hearing so much new and innovative flute music. As a flutist/composer, I may be a bit biased on that one.
- Of course, performing and working with the RAFA team; we are a great team!

Vicki High:

-Seeing Sonja Noykos shine during the Professional Flute Choir performance; I was so proud that others were able to witness her gift and that she is part of the RAFA!

-Performing with the RAFA You Tube Flute Choir and getting to know other members of the choir on a more personal level, as well as renewing relationships with other teachers & flutists from my past.

-Being able to reconnect & perform with the NEC Metropolitan Flute Orchestra out of Boston.

Kim Kittner:

- Adrianne Greenbaum performing Klezmer was delightful! She captured the distinctive sound and feel of this 1800's Jewish musical style through her instruments, vintage outfit (especially her hat), engaging commentary, audience participation and fabulous rapport with accompanist Dianne Frazer!
- Ten-year-old Emma Resmini performing Vivaldi's Concerto in D
- FLUTOGRAM, a commissioned work written to honor Carol Wincenc and performed by an ensemble of her former students. The piece captured Carol's colorful style!

Cathy Laffoon:

- Trevor Wye and his delightful Carnival of Variations on those crazy flutes!

- In Sterio - Lovely duo; I really enjoyed the "Train Wreck" by Ian Clarke.

- Joueurs de Flute - they were amazing, and such a tight ensemble. The music was delightful.

- Ordering a bass flute!

Catherine LeGrand:

- Rachel Brown's exquisite playing-the ideal combination of graceful music-making and stage presence, together with scholarship.

- Patricia George's class on practicing the Karg-Elert Caprices. What a great mind she has!

- Hearing my former student, Keren Schweitzer-Lippmann play on the Full Spectrum Concert.

Andrea McKerlie:

- The Chamber Works for Flute and Harp recital, featuring extended techniques for both instruments and the charged Histoire du Tango by Piazzolla

- Lea Pearson's body mapping and "Anatomy of Breathing" workshop I attended with my teacher Pam Nelson

- Getting a free body mapping lesson with Lea to help figure out why I get so tired and sore playing the flute and to help stave off my tendinitis!

Sonja Noykos:

- Rhonda Larson

- In Sterio

- Joueurs de Flute -- Italian flute choir

- Wayla Chambo -- dancing and playing flute at the same time!

Ann Pearce:
- Rhonda Larson for her amazing expressive playing that exhibits so many different colors of sound and also her spoken philosophies about music in general and flute playing in particular.
- Paula Robison for her exquisite pure sound and her interpretive artistry, especially her "Songs of the Spirit" with guitar accompaniment.
- My favorite flute choir was Joueurs de Flute, the Italian group for their polished ensemble playing and their strong musicianship.

Helen Spielman:

I was gratified to see how generously and kindly everyone at the NFA embraced Jessie Godoy and Cristobal Pineda, faculty from the National Music School in Honduras. Making it possible for them to attend was the most gratifying part of the convention for me. Our presentation brought tears, open hearts, and a deeper understanding between cultures.

Our web technologies associate Michelle Dunn will be putting together a slideshow of convention photos. If you have convention photos that you would like to share please send them to conventionphotos@raleighflutes.org with the following information:

1) Photographer's (Your) Name

2) Person(s) photographed

3) Event & time (as listed in the convention program)

Although all photos may or may not be used, all photos will be considered. Deadline September 3, 2011.

Mark your calendars now for the 2012 NFA Convention, to be held August 9-12 at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas.

URGENT REQUEST:

Carla Rees, an alto and bass flute specialist from London who had been invited to perform and present a workshop at the NFA Convention, was unable to attend when she suddenly lost her home and all her belongings (including her collection of flutes, music and manuscripts) in the recent riots in London. As Carla is a dear friend to many in the flute community, Jonathan Myall and Just Flutes worked quickly to establish a way for us to support Carla. Please consider making a donation at:http://www.justflutes.com/

THANK YOU!

We are so grateful for the generous support of many individuals and businesses, which allows RAFA to offer the best educational and performance opportunities to more than 300 flutists across North Carolina. A heart-felt thank you to these contributors who make it all possible!

Summer Activities

How did RAFA members spend their summer? Below is a sampling of activities.

Jake Beerel with fellow musicians at Brevard Summer Music Institute

Rising high school senior Jake Beerel was accepted by audition into the prestigious Brevard Music Festival in Brevard, NC, where he had the amazing opportunity to study with world-class flutists Marianne Gedigian, Renee Siebert, and Dilshad Posnock. Jake says, "What was even greater was that I could hear and watch them perform as soloists, using the same techniques and abilities that they were teaching us. I was able to play not only in an orchestra and a wind ensemble, but also in a woodwind quintet! I was able to take additional classes in music literature and theory. It has truly been a fun and memorable experience for me."

Claire Johnson, a junior at Cedar Ridge High School and flute student of Helen Spielman, travelled to India and Sri Lanka for the summer. She spent several weeks volunteering and playing flute at "Sneha Kiran," a school in Mysore for children with Cerebral Palsy. An interesting incident happened at the airport in Chennai, when Claire was asked by security guards to prove that her flute was indeed a musical instrument, and she was forced to assemble and play it for a team of customs officials (and many amused Indian passengers!).

Yuri Yamamoto, Yoko Iwashima, Catherine LeGrand, and Christine Weidinger

Catherine LeGrand began the summer by performing on two Japan Benefit Concerts, then spent much of her summer digitizing and evaluating works from a large collection of antique sheet music given to her by the widow of Paige Brook (Paige was Assistant First Flutist and Associate Principal Flute of the New York Philharmonic for 36 years). Many of these works are 19th century flute ensembles and currently do not exist in any library-stay tuned for future developments! Catherine also served as the onsite producer in Houston for Aralee Dorough's forthcoming album and attended the NFA convention in Charlotte.

Meredith Magnuson writes, "I have had a busy summer including studying music in Brazil through the Music Alive program at East Carolina University. I also participated in the Jim Walker Masterclass in Charlotte and attended the National Flute Convention. Very exciting!"

Clare Phillips, student of Anne Dyke and band member at Raleigh Charter High School, plays patriotic music each year in the Blowing Rock 4th of July parade.

Philip Snyder (UNC-CH flute performance major) shares, "I participated in the National Intercollegiate Band hosted by Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma Honorary Band Fraternity and Sorority. The clinic and concert in Colorado Springs, CO was conducted by Craig Kirchhoff of the University of Minnesota and featured the world premiere of a commissioned work by Adam Gorb entitled 'Repercussions.'"

Helen Spielman (left) and Jessie Godoy (flute teacher in Honduras)

Helen Spielman taught Perform Confidently workshops at the Conservatory of Amsterdam (The Netherlands) in May, Wildacres Flute Retreat (Little Switzerland, NC) in June, at the Accordions and Teachers Guild National Conference (Orlando, FL) in July, and at the National Flute Association national convention (Charlotte, NC) in August. She moderated and presented a multi-media panel called Miracle Flute Festival in Honduras at the NFA convention, with Susan Berdahl, Tadeu Coelho and Mary Karen Clardy. Helen arranged for and sponsored the flute professor at the National Music School in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, Jessie Godoy, and her husband Cristobal Pineda, to be able attend the NFA.

Pan Harmonia Fest 2011 featured musicians Kate Steinbeck (flute), Mary Beth Hussey (cello), Jacquelyn Bartlett (harp), and Alicia Chapman (oboe).

Pan Harmonia (formerly known as Keowee Chamber Music) held its 11th annual festival in May and June, including the first Asheville Chamber Music Experience. Directed by RAFA member Kate Steinbeck, this fun week-long workshop focused on music for woodwinds and brass for adult amateur musicians. Participants came from North Carolina, Wisconsin, New Jersey and beyond. ACME 2012 takes place June 10-15. More info: http://pan-harmonia.org/chamber-music-institute/

Yusheng Zhang purchased a bamboo flute in China this summer.

Yusheng Zhang traveled to China for 6 weeks, where he mainly practiced and played for friends and at an anniversary ceremony. He also purchased a Chinese bamboo flute.

For Sale

Gemeinhardt Flute

Model 2NP -- great for a beginning student

Very good condition

Plateau model (closed hole)

Offset G key

Nickel-plated headjoint, body and keys

Professionally padded

Stainless steel springs

Asking price: $120

Contact Samantha Gallup, 919-303-8172, flutechick7@aim.com

Gemeinhardt Piccolo

Asking price: $400

Contact Frankie Lugiano

919-782-8759 (h)

919-441-6499 (c)

frankielug@bellsouth.net

RAFA members Kathy Hancock, Kaitlyn Dunn, and Amy Lichorwic share holiday spirit, December, 2010.

Ensemble Classes with Catherine LeGrand

There are openings in two ensembles for advanced players (trios or quartets) coached by Catherine LeGrand during Fall semester. One group will meet on a weekday morning, and the other group will meet on a weeknight. Each group will meet at least twice a month with a somewhat flexible schedule based on members' wishes and availability, but a firm commitment is required once a specific schedule is determined. Performance opportunities are available. Pre-formed groups are always welcome for ongoing coaching or for singly scheduled classes.

The small ensemble setting is fun way to learn intonation, sight-reading, and the metrical implications of rhythm. Skills learned in coached small ensembles enhance one's playing in either larger group or solo settings.

Please contact Catherine for more information:

catherine@catherinelegrand.com

Flute Concerts

Carolina Wind Quintet

Brooks de Wetter-Smith (flute),Donald Oehler (clarinet), Michael Schultz (oboe), Andrew McAfee (horn) & John Pederson (bassoon)

Tuesday, September 27

7:30 pm

Hill Hall Auditorium, UNC-Chapel Hill

No admission charge

Brooks de Wetter-Smith (flute) and Elizabeth Tomlin (piano)

William S. Newman Series -- Reflections: Americana for Flute and Piano

Sunday, October 9