Well, another flute convention has come and gone. New pieces were premiered, old favorites were performed, and people spent a ton of money on flutes, music, and toys. I am so amazed every year at the number of people who travel across the country to live and breathe flute for a few days. There are endless concerts, presentations, lecture-recitals, and masterclasses where we all can walk away having learned something and feeling inspired to go home and practice. Even so, there is so much more to the convention than just flute.
This year I made it a point to take some photos that particularly pertained to the Flute Examiner. I also want to embrace the idea that the convention is more than the flute, but it is because of the flute that we are all together. The connections and personal relationships, new and old, are at the center of everything we do. I hope you enjoy the photos I am sharing and that it really does paint a picture of how important these relationships are.
The banner photo for this article is from this year’s LGBTQIA+ flute choir performance. What an incredible group of people from all over coming together to celebrate the diversity of life. The conductor this year was our very own Erin Spencer from the interview two months ago (I also managed to get a photo with just her). I also was able to cross paths with Kelly Via, who conducted the group a few years back and was also one of our interviews a few months ago. I spent a lot of my time working in the exhibit hall but also managed to catch a photo with Kim Scott (previous interview) and Noemi Gyori (future interview). I also found myself in the middle of a photo with Terri Wacker and Terri Sanchez (pedagogy committee) one night at an evening gathering.
Another day in the exhibit hall brought a young lady to the booth to talk flutes. She was also playing in the LGBTQIA+ flute choir and during our chat, I found out she and I went to the same high school (about 30 years apart…man that hurt). I also got a photo with a dear friend, Rick Noyce. During a chat with two other friends, the world got even smaller when I realized that they knew my best friend from my undergrad years because one went to school with her and the other played in flute choir with her. I am telling you, the world got really small this year. I would love to share all my photos from NFA, but we would be here way longer that any of us have time to commit to reading me babble on about all the people.
This year was extra special for me. I was named an artist for Pettry Piccolos. Remember the interview I did with Adam Pettry several years ago when he revealed he was going to start making piccolos? Yes, that’s the one! Well, the man has been incredible to watch pursue his dreams, and this year was a big one for him, me, and 6 other people he named as artists. We also presented Adam with a piccolo commission written by Zachery Meier titled, “No Place Like Home.” It is a piccolo solo and etude book celebrating diversity and dedicated to Adam and his innovations and hard work. There is nothing like seeing a friend succeed while also contributing to the repertoire for piccolo. Definitely a win-win.
I did actually get to eat some great food and catch up with so many friends from all over the world while also making some new friends. We even managed to have a few hours to go to the aquarium and see some really cool critters. So, really, we owe a lot to the flute, but without these connections, the flute is just an object. It is the interpersonal relationships with others that gets new music written and performed and audiences in the seats to appreciate the new music. Teachers and students interacting with a desire to learn from each other keeps the music alive for the next generation. And don’t forget, the silly flute shenanigans to keep us all laughing despite the craziness of the world. Rock on flute peeps, rock on!
