The Legacy of Rubén Islas
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VOLUME 46, NO. 3 SPRING 2021 THE LUTIST QUARTERLY The Legacy of Rubén Islas Laryngeal Vibrato Production in Flutists THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF Flute Modification 2021 NFA Convention REINVENTING EXPRESSIVE PERFORMANCE Yamaha 500, 600 and 700 series professional flutes are designed to satisfy the demands of any player seeking that perfect balance between expressive brilliance and warm, rich resonance. The meticulously balanced keys and hand-finished A-cut headjoint offer enhanced tonal control for a more effortless, natural performance. Learn more at Yamaha.io.profluteFQM2 WIND218606_Pro_Flutes_500_600_700_Waves.indd 1 12/7/20 3:41 PM An expert for every f lutist. schmittmusic.com/f lutegallery Free me -Ho In ls! Tria Katie Lowry Dr. Rachel Haug Root Bianca Najera BECOME THE MUSICIAN THE WORLD NEEDS YOU TO BE “We give our students incredible agency over the shape and focus of their education—in a city with one of the country’s most vibrant and diverse music scenes!” —Andy Kozar, Brass and Woodwinds Chair apply today Longy.edu BOSTON, MA 4 THE FLUTIST QUARTERLY SPRING 2021 NFAONLINE.ORG SPRING Table of Contents 2021 The Flutist Quarterly Volume 46, No. 3 DEPARTMENTS 7 From the President 9 From the Executive Director 10 High Notes 11 Across the Miles 13 From the New Music Advisory Committee 20 28 38 42 From the 2021 Convention FEATURES Program Chair 14 The Legacy of Rubén Islas: Mexico’s Flute Teacher 46 NFA News by Jonathan Borja 49 From the Performance Health Diligent and persistent throughout his long life, the soloist, orchestral Care Committee flutist, and teacher is now at the center of Mexico’s musical life. 50 Notes from Around the World 20 Mapping Anatomical Locators for Musicians: Laryngeal Vibrato Production in Flutists 52 Passing Tones by Erika Boysen, DMA, and David Brown, MD 56 Reviews A frank question from a curious student launched a study in search 60 NFA Office, Coordinators, of better understanding how the pharynx and larynx physically create vibrato. Boysen and Brown’s study produced data relevant to Committee Chairs performers, educators, and students. 62 Index of Advertisers 28 Flute Modification: Renewing Flutists’ Voices Cover photo: Rubén Islas, courtesy the Islas family. Through Innovation and Artistry by Katherine Lewis Meet a few of the flutemakers who have adapted flutes to the needs of their players—and the flutists who have benefitted from their work. 38 Sounds as Intense as Silence by Yi Xiang The 2020 Young Artist Competition winner describes how the horrific year affected her life and flute playing—and her interpretations of one work in particular in her NFA performance. 14 The National Flute Association Welcome to the 49th Annual 70 E. Lake Street, #200 National Flute Association Convention Chicago, IL 60601 founded November 18, 1972, in Elkhart, Indiana Variations on a Dream THIS MAGAZINE IS PUBLISHED QUARTERLY BY THE NATIONAL August 12 –15, 2021 FLUTE ASSOCIATION, INC., A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION. THE STATEMENTS OF WRITERS AND ADVERTISERS ARE NOT NECESSAR- ILY THOSE OF THE NATIONAL FLUTE ASSOCIATION, INC., WHICH RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REFUSE TO PRINT ANY ADVERTISEMENT. 42 ISSN 8756-8667 © 2021 NATIONAL FLUTE ASSOCIATION, INC. SPRING 2021 THE FLUTIST QUARTERLY 5 NFAONLINE.ORG OFFICERS BOARD OF DIRECTORS Founder Jason Blank (2018–2021) Honorary Life President Owner, Bernhard Hammig Mark Thomas [email protected] [email protected] Lisa Bost-Sandberg (2018–2021) Assistant Professor of Flute President of the Board University of North Dakota Penny Zent (2020–2022) [email protected] Station Manager KAMU-FM Retired Texas A&M University Carol Dale (2019–2022) Principal Flutist Music Coordinator Brazos Valley Symphony Village Presbyterian Church [email protected] [email protected] Vice President of the Board Brian Dunbar, DMA (2020–2023) Rebecca Johnson (2020–2022) Assistant Professor of Flute Assistant Professor of Flute The Crane School of Music, SUNY–Potsdam Eastern Illinois University [email protected] [email protected] Marco Granados (2020–2023) International Soloist and Educator Secretary [email protected] Nicole Molumby (2020–2021) Flute Professor Cynthia Kelley (2020-2023) Boise State University President, Flutacious Inc. [email protected] Vice President, Last Resort Music Publishing Inc. [email protected] Assistant Secretary Charlene Romano (2020-2021) Phyllis Louke (2019–2022) Charlene Romano’s Flute Studio Flute Instructor Pacific University Adjunct Assistant Professor of Music Theory, Shenandoah Conservatory [email protected] [email protected] John McMurtery (2019–2022) Treasurer Professor of Flute Maury Wilkinson University of Nevada–Las Vegas (2017–2021) [email protected] Accountant Freelance Flutist Caen Thomason-Redus (2018–2021) [email protected] Senior Director of Community and Learning Detroit Symphony Orchestra [email protected] Did you know? The NFA offers virtual events throughout the year! Watch your inbox and check the website for updates. 6 THE FLUTIST QUARTERLY SPRING 2021 NFAONLINE.ORG From the President Season of Change Penny Zent f we hadn’t lived through it, this will hit our target goal of at least choirs, cabaret concerts, meet-up op- past year would read like a science 35 percent BIPOC flutists on No- portunities, and more. Read Jennifer I fiction novel. A global pandemic vember 1, 2021, two years ahead of Grim’s article for a comprehensive that has killed millions of people; schedule. rundown. widespread protests over systemic • We finalized our new strategic plan. One distinct advantage is that you racism; political uprisings from coast • We hired a new executive director: can enjoy all of this from the comfort to coast; being on lockdown; devastat- Jennifer (Jenny) Clarke. (Read her of your home without incurring trav- ing natural disasters including the most letter in this issue.) el and hotel costs. We simply cannot hurricanes ever in one year, brushfires • We hired a new publications direc- thank Jennifer enough for seeing us all over the world, and Snowmageddon; tor: Karissa Krenz. through all these changes. school closings; in-person cancellations; • We hired Kristin Pagels to fill our Additionally, your board of direc- people clamoring to get vaccinated; and newly created position of technical tors has adopted a new strategic plan, even toilet paper shortages. director. led by Secretary Nicole Molumby, to The good news is we survived—and • We released a new pedagogy guide guide us through the next three years. there is light at the end of the tunnel. that has been widely acclaimed. Thank you, Nicole! Your work on be- Fortunately, we flutists are a tough half of the NFA has been invaluable. bunch and have risen to the chal- When the pandemic hit last spring, we A big thank you also goes out to our lenges. Like so many others, our staff were forced to cancel our August annu- competition coordinator, John Lane. members have been forced to work re- al convention slated for Dallas. Jennifer He has done a stellar job of keeping motely for the past year. We also have Grim, the Program Chair, agreed to everything running smoothly during had to look at the way we do business extend her commitment another year extremely difficult times. Even with all with a focus on streamlining our op- and move the convention program the difficulties that have impacted ev- eration and reducing costs. to Washington, D.C. for 2021. At that eryone, we had 437 individuals audi- Through all these trials and trib- point, we were sure that the convention tion for the right to participate in the ulations, your NFA leadership team would take place as originally planned. convention. Please keep in mind that has risen to the occasion by accepting Well, as the saying goes, the best laid this was on top of all the people who change, adapting to new protocols, plans of mice and men don’t always were already chosen to participate in and rolling with the punches. Here is work out. Not only is gathering in-per- 2020. That’s remarkable! what have we accomplished since the son still uncertain despite recent im- While there is no doubt that this Covid-19 pandemic began. provements, but our contracted hotel past year has been unprecedented and has been closed for the past year. something that none of us would like • We created the six-week Summer What does this mean for you? The to repeat, it’s gratifying to look back Series that educated, entertained, entire convention is being moved to and know that we, as a community and created a sense of community a virtual platform and will take place from around the world, have demon- that brought us many new friends. during the originally scheduled time, strated the resolve to continue moving • We instituted a bi-monthly virtual August 12–15, 2021. Registration is forward even while facing the most series. now open and early bird rates are in difficult circumstances. • Our board completed diversity effect if you register before June 17. Thanks to everyone involved. I’m so training. Everything that you’ve come to count proud to serve as your president. • We committed to increasing the di- on will be in place: workshops, master- versity of our board of directors and classes, world-class performances, flute —Penny Zent SPRING 2021 THE FLUTIST QUARTERLY 7 NFAONLINE.ORG EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD Julie Hobbs Nancy Toff Assistant Professor of Flute, University of Kentucky Music Historian Alberto Almarza Lexington, Kentucky New York, New York Professor of Flute Carnegie Mellon University Ellen Huntington Susan Waller Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Flutist, Lyrebird Ensemble Flutist, Teacher, Coach Flute Instructor, North Park University San Ramon, California Francesca Arnone Naperville, Illinois Flute Faculty, University of South Florida Michael Weinstein Tampa, Florida Gastroenterologist and Lawrence Liggins Performing Arts Medicine John Bailey Jazz Flutist Rockville, Maryland Professor of Flute, University of Nebraska Music Teacher, Arts High School, Newark Public Schools Lincoln, Nebraska THE FLUTIST QUARTERLY Newark, New Jersey Michelle Cheramy Associate Professor of Music Anne Welsbacher, Consulting Editor Demarre McGill Victoria Stehl, Consulting Art Director Memorial University of Newfoundland, St.