Flutists' Family Tree : in Search of the American Flute School / by Demetra
FLUTISTS’ FAMILY TREE: IN SEARCH OF THE AMERICAN FLUTE SCHOOL DOCUMENT Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for The Degree Doctor of Musical Arts in the Graduate School of The Ohio State University By Demetra Baferos Fair, M.M. ***** The Ohio State University 2003 Dissertation Committee: Professor Katherine Borst Jones, Adviser Approved by Professor Lois Rosow Professor Christopher Weait Adviser School of Music Copyright by Demetra Baferos Fair 2003 ABSTRACT For decades, American flutists have sought to identify specific traits that define their playing as a whole. While the “French School” has been characterized by a preoccupation with tone, a standard repertoire, and set of teaching materials written by Paris Conservatoire professors, no such definition can yet be set forth for the “American School.” This document provides a clear starting point for research into the what, where, why, and how of the “American Flute School” by first identifying who is associated with that school. By tracing the lineage of transverse flute playing from teacher to student through the past 300 years, we may identify orchestral flutist, soloist, and teacher, Georges Barrère, as a primary influence upon American flute playing. Barrère and his students – and his students’ students – have taught approximately 91% of all living flutists in the United States today. Of that vast number, approximately 87% can trace their heritage (through one or more of their teachers) to Barrère student William Kincaid, renowned flutist of the Philadelphia Orchestra and pedagogue at the Curtis Institute of Music. It is important to note that most modern musicians study with more than one teacher over the course of their career (usually between three and eight).
[Show full text]