Atlanta Flute Fair 10!!                    Photos

The Tenth Atlanta Flute Fair was held on February 24 at Georgia Perimeter College.   It was an awesome experience!  There were approximately 200 flutists and guests who came helped celebrate ten years of exciting Flute Fair experiences.   

Nancy and Mike Wilson had made a fantastic display of Atlanta Flute Club programs, both from all nine previous Flute Fairs and all of the other programs presented by AFC.   In addition they had a power point presentation featuring music played by an earlier High School Honors Choir and still pictures of our Guest Artists for every Flute Fair.   

Early in the morning, the Honors Flute Choirs and the Atlanta Festival Flute Choir rehearsed for their program at the end of the day.  Other members eagerly went to the exhibits to find new music and try flutes.  At 10:30 Young Artist Competition Finalists, Keelah Williams, Rachel Nozny and Heather Harz each played a 25 minute program.  These young ladies all played wonderfully, making the job of the judges very difficult.    At the same time, Lisa Bartholow and Nancy Wilson conducted a workshop titled An Introduction to Extended Techniques.  The audience was very enthusiastic.   At timeMinute0Hour12noon, Norman Gonzales, the 2006 AFC Competition Winner and pianist, Sharon Berensen played the Winner's Recital.  placeCityNorman's challenging program included the Prokofiev Sonata, Sicilienne et Burlesque by Casella, Sonata in E Major by J. S. Bach and Carmen Fantasie by Bourne.   

After the lunch break, Guest Artist, Tadeu Coelho, treated us to a solo concert that was totally amazing.   He played Sonata in C by Mozart, Variations on “Trockne Blumen” by Schubert, Suite for Flute and Piano by Widor, Density 21.5 by Varses and Nocturne and Allegro Scherzando by Gaubert.   This program was exceptionally wonderful because of the fantastic ensemble between Dr. Coelho and the amazing pianist, Simon Tedeschi.   Having just made a CD which included several of these pieces, the two musicians played with consummate artistry.   The audience was completely thrilled!  Dr Coelho's appearance at the Flute Fair was sponsored by Miyazawa Flutes.   Thank you very much, Miyazawa.   

After a short break Dr. Coelho conducted a workshop on breathing, tone and general flute topics.   He was kind enough to answer many questions clearly and in detail.  We all were introduced to new interesting ideas.   

The final event of the day was the flute choir concert.   The program opened with the Atlanta Festival Flute Choir, conducted by Slava Prudchenko. The members of this group ranged in age from young students to adult professionals.   They played Comedian's Gallop, Divertimento K. 138 by Mozart and Appalachian Suite Atlanta composer and flutist Kelly Via.   Tony Watson conducted the Middle School Honors Choir.  This group of 15 young flutists performed ably and expressively.  They played Sailor's Song by Grieg, Two Folk Songs by Bartok, Habanera from Carmen by Bizet, Aura Lee and Oh Susanna, arranged by Lombardo, and Scenes from the West by Walters.   The High School Honors Choir was directed by Lisa Mahoney, The group of 20 talented high schoolers played a challenging program including The Earle of Oxford's placeStateMarche by Byrd, Londonderry Air, arranged by Grainger, and Finale from the William Tell Overture by Rossini. They played with great flair and musicianship.

Many thanks are due to those who helped make Flute Fair possible.  In addition to those listed above, they were Marilyn Yaksh (volunteer coordinator), Kate Siegel (program design) and the Georgia Perimeter College Fine Arts Department and Jennifer Jenkins the GPC Auditorium Coordinator.  

This was an exciting Flute Fair.  We were treated to beautiful music and educational workshops and interesting exhibits.   How fortunate we are to play such a wonderful instrument and to be part of our friendly flute community.  Fluters are the best because “FLUTES RULE!”

Kathy Farmer, Flute Fair Coordinator