Raleigh Area Flute Association September Newsletter

September TuneInLogo

2011

Don't miss this great opportunity on Sunday, September 25!

Pam Nelson

Alexander Technique Class

Led by

Pam Nelson

Rachel Niketopoulos

Sunday, September 25

2:00 - 5:00 pm

Meredith College, Room 121 Jones

Free for RAFA members

$15 fee for non-members

(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!

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.

Flute Choir Info for Fall 2011 Semester

RAFA's flute choirs started up again on September 11th. If you missed the audition dates, it's not too late to join! If you're interested, you can either join/audition as soon as possible, or join a group mid-semester.

There is no audition for Silver Winds. You must schedule an audition for Silver Pipes or Silver Fantasy.

For more info, including audition requirements, go to http://www.raleighflutes.org/RAFA/RAFA_Home_Page.htm.

Contact the director, Sonja Noykos, to schedule an audition or to ask further questions: 616-634-3292 or sonjanoykos@gmail.com.

RAFA YouTube Flute Choir at NFA Convention in August

RAFA YouTube Flute Choir will not meet this fall, but keep an eye out for info on the recording session in spring 2012!

Second Winds

The next meeting of the Second Winds will be held on Sunday, October 9th. There is a CHANGE, however, in the TIME of the meeting: we will meet at 2:30 p.m. rather than the usual 2:00. Please make a note of this change!

The meeting will be held in the parlor of St. Philip Lutheran Church on 7305 Falls of the Neuse Road.

On August 27th, the Second Winds group started the new 2011-2012 season with a fun and informative meeting consisting of various activities: sight-reading by the group, talking about August's National Flute Association Convention in Charlotte, a presentation by Vicki High of Patricia George's practice tip called "chunking," and the performance of a piece being prepared for the November RAFA Review and Contest.

Any questions about the October 9th meeting should be directed to Mary Croghan at croghanm@gmail.com or 919-835-4378.

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.

2011 NFA Convention Slideshows

Two slideshows have been prepared by Michelle Dunn, RAFA's Website & Social Media Director.

NFA Convention 2011 - Members

RAFA Members' Slideshow features photos of RAFA members and their activities throughout the convention.

NFA Convention 2011 - Friends, Flutists, & Flutes

"Friends, Flutists, & Flutes" begins with a "Friends of RAFA" section highlighting flutists and educators who have presented masterclasses, workshops, and concerts for our members. The slideshow continues with other flutists and events throughout the convention.

Be sure to watch both slideshows. We don't want you to miss anything! Especially the exhibit hall with hundreds of flutes!

Thanks, Michelle!

Jill Felber

Flute Fair with guest flutist Jill Felber

Saturday, November 12

9:00 am to 5:30 pm

Highland United Methodist Church

1901 Ridge Rd, Raleigh

JILL FELBER has been hailed for her "beautifully finished performances" by The Detroit News, and the British journal PAN writes, "Felber was stunning...not only refined but also full of fun." "The incredible flutist...the dazzling flutist...the radiant flutist Jill Felber" (The Independent, Santa Barbara) is known to excite audiences everywhere in concerts and recitals "played with flair" (The Los Angeles Times).

Dianne Frazer

Mark your calendars now for RAFA's November 12th Flute Fair with Jill Felber, who will present a morning masterclass, an afternoon participatory workshop entitled Extreme Makeover: Flute Edition (for all ages/levels -- bring your flute and a copy of Taffanel-Gaubert's 17 Daily Exercises), and a gala concert with collaborating pianist Dianne Frazer.

The day's events will also include an Exhibit Room featuring the latest flutes, music, and accessories; additional workshops; All-District solo classes for middle and high school students; and a flute choir reading session for all ages. Lunch will be provided for a suggested donation of $5.

The Flute Fair is FREE for RAFA members; $15 general admission for non-members.

Click here for detailed schedule of events.

Congratulations!

Sylvia Claire Evans

Congratulations to RAFA member Elena Lazaro Evans, who gave birth to a beautiful little baby girl, Sylvia Claire Evans, on August 2. Elena serves as flute instructor at St. Mary's School, maintains a private teaching studio in Cary, and performs in the Kildaire Duo with her violinist husband Matthew. Best wishes to the new family!

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

7:30 pm

Hill Hall Auditorium, UNC-Chapel Hill

Tickets: $15 general admission, $10 UNC students, faculty and staff

Information & Tickets: 919-843-3333

Inalare

"Inalare" featuring Kay Borkowski (flute), Linda Larson (soprano), and Bair
Shagdaron (piano)
Sunday, October 9
3:00 pm
North Carolina Museum of Art (NCMA) - auditorium
Sponsored by Raleigh Chamber Music Guild
The concert is given in conjunction with the museum's exhibition of NC women artists and will be feature music of women composers.
Tickets: $10 general admission; $8 students or NCMA members
Call NCMA Box Office: 919-715-5923

Raleigh Flute Choir - Fall Concert

with Meredith Flute Ensemble and Silver Fantasy Flute Choir

Sunday, October 23

7:30 pm

Carswell Recital Hall, Wainwright Music Building

Donations at the door

http://www.raleighflutes.org/RFC/Home.html

Raleigh Flute Choir - Holiday Concert

Sunday, December 18

3:00 pm

NC Museum of Art (auditorium)

Tickets at NCMA box office: 919-715-5923

Seeking Performing Flutists

Julie Harris, a private composition teacher in Carrboro (NC), is seeking performers who enjoy premiering new music and working with emerging composers. Her studio has become a gathering place for creativity and expression and has attracted a wealth of exceptional students over the past 14 years. Many of these students have won state, regional, and national composition competitions and have been accepted into prestigious music schools. An upcoming November concert will premiere twelve new pieces, seven of them including flute.

Please contact Julie Harris (919-933-7336 or julierharris@aol.com) if you are interested in joining a group of exuberant, talented, creative composers and performers for the following dates:

Gratitude Concert - annual celebration, sharing information on anti-cancer diet and lifestyle. Concert will include a sampling banquet from The Food Fairy. Southern Village, Chapel Hill, NC. Saturday, November 12, 6 pm

Possible performance at MTNA Composition Competition winner's concert, Salem College, Winston-Salem. Saturday, October 29, Time TBA

Kate Steinbeck in Raleigh

Our friend Kate Steinbeck, artistic director of Pan-Harmonia, will be in Raleigh on October 1st.

Anyone interested in having a flute lesson with her should contact Kate directly at kate@pan-harmonia.org. Lessons will be in the recital hall of Burrage Music Company.

For Sale

Gemeinhardt Piccolo

Asking price: $400

Contact Frankie Lugiano

919-782-8759 (h)

919-441-6499 (c)

frankielug@bellsouth.net

Submit Information for Tune In

RAFA members are invited to submit flute news, concert announcements, etc. for publication in Tune In. Photos are encouraged! Please email items to info@RaleighFlutes.org. Deadline for next issue is September 25.

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!