Florida State University Libraries Electronic Theses, Treatises and Dissertations The Graduate School 2013 Jeanne Baxtresser's American Flute Heritage: A History of Tradition and Excellence David Manuel Graham Follow this and additional works at the FSU Digital Library. For more information, please contact [email protected] FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF MUSIC JEANNE BAXTRESSER’S AMERICAN FLUTE HERITAGE: A HISTORY OF TRADITION AND EXCELLENCE By DAVID MANUEL GRAHAM A Treatise submitted to the College of Music in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Music Degree Awarded: Fall Semester, 2013 © 2013 David M. Graham David M. Graham defended this treatise on November 7, 2013. The members of the supervisory committee were: Eva Amsler Professor Directing Treatise James Mathes University Representative Timothy Hoekman Committee Member Patrick Meighan Committee Member The Graduate School has verified and approved the above-named committee members, and certifies that the treatise has been approved in accordance with university requirements. ii To My Family. iii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The completion of this document would not have been possible without the guidance, support, and encouragement offered to me by my supervisory committee of Dr. Timothy Hoekman, Dr. James Mathes, and Professor Patrick Meighan. A sincere thank you to my teacher and committee chair, Eva Amsler for her years of guidance, wisdom, and inspiration during my time at Florida State. Under her supervision I have learned to become independent and mature as an artist and teacher. Her tutelage has profoundly affected me as a person and musician; for this I am grateful. Thank you to my teacher and mentor, Jeanne Baxtresser, for sharing with me her time, stories, and personal experiences that have been central to her development as a musician and teacher. I am indebted to the endless enthusiasm and encouragement that Jeanne has offered me during the conception and execution of this project. Thank you to Katha Kissman of the National Flute Association and Patricia George from Flute Talk Magazine, for their help in locating old publications that have been instrumental to the research for this document. A special thank you to Sandra Ragusa for sharing her experiences with Julius Baker, and to my former teacher Stacey Steele for her advice and support throughout the writing process. Many people have encouraged and supported me during the completion of this degree; however, I must mention the devoted friendship of Sara Chiesa, Katie Woolsey, Johnathan Robinson, Julia Walsh and Shelley Martinson. Thank you all for the countless emails, phone calls, text messages, Skype sessions, and coffee breaks that have allowed me to get through this process in one piece. Few people are lucky enough to go through a degree with such generous and considerate friends. Most of all, to my dear family, John, Luz, and Mark, I want to acknowledge the unwavering support and confidence you have always had in me to pursue my dreams in music. A special thank you must go to my father, Dr. John E. Graham, for the hours of revisions, feedback, and relentless encouragement he has given me. This document would not have been possible without his guidance as an ideal example of a teacher and father. To my partner and friend, Kevin Shields: Your patience and support have been immeasurable throughout this portion of my academic career and I cannot thank you enough. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF TABLES ........................................................................................................................ vii LIST OF FIGURES ..................................................................................................................... viii ABSTRACT ................................................................................................................................... ix 1. INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................... 1 Significance of the Project .................................................................................................. 1 Relevant Literature .............................................................................................................. 2 2. GEORGES BARRÈRE AND THE FRENCH TRADITION ................................................... 3 Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 3 History of the French School and Background ................................................................... 3 Georges Barrère: French Years ........................................................................................... 6 Barrère and the Flute in America ........................................................................................ 8 The New York Flute Club .................................................................................... 10 Barrère and the Platinum Flute ............................................................................. 11 Barrère Student Roster ...................................................................................................... 13 Conclusion ........................................................................................................................ 14 3. WILLIAM KINCAID ............................................................................................................. 16 Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 16 Early Years and Education .............................................................................................. 16 Professional Accomplishments ......................................................................................... 17 Teaching and Pedagogy .................................................................................................... 19 Flute Technique .................................................................................................... 19 Phrasing ................................................................................................................. 22 Other Elements of Musical Execution .................................................................. 23 Kincaid Student Roster ..................................................................................................... 24 Conclusion ........................................................................................................................ 25 4. JULIUS BAKER ..................................................................................................................... 26 Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 26 Early Years ....................................................................................................................... 26 Young Professional .......................................................................................................... 27 Beginning Again in New York City ................................................................................. 30 The New York Philharmonic Years ................................................................................. 32 Life after the Philharmonic .............................................................................................. 35 The Influence of Julius Baker ........................................................................................... 36 Baker Student Roster ........................................................................................................ 39 Conclusion ........................................................................................................................ 42 v 5. JEANNE BAXTRESSER ........................................................................................................ 43 Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 43 Early Years ........................................................................................................................ 43 Education .......................................................................................................................... 44 Professional Milestones .................................................................................................... 47 Studying with Julius Baker ............................................................................................... 53 Thoughts on the American Flute School .......................................................................... 59 Baxtresser Student Roster ................................................................................................. 61 Conclusion ........................................................................................................................ 63 6. CONCLUSION ........................................................................................................................ 64 APPENDICES .............................................................................................................................. 65 A Juilliard Tribute to Julius Baker - Jeanne Baxtresser ................................................... 65 B Kincaid Praeludium Exercise ......................................................................................