VOLUME XXXIII, NO.3 SPRING 2008 THE LUTIST QUARTERLY TheEssence of Mei ( ) Irish Flute Bands Valerie Coleman and Imani Winds High Velocity: The 2008 Kansas City Convention THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE NATIONAL FLUTE ASSOCIATION, INC Discover the True Pearl Advantage The pinless mechanism is an exclusive feature normally found only on the most prized handmade instruments. Pearl has set an industry benchmark by providing a pinless mechanism as a standard feature on all Pearl flutes. Pearl’s exclusive Pinless mechanism provides an ultra fluid feel with smooth, concise player feedback. Play one and you’ll discover the true Pearl advantage. See them all at www.pearlflutes.com Table of CONTENTS THE FLUTIST QUARTERLY VOLUME XXXIII, NO.3 SPRING 2008 DEPARTMENTS 5 From the Chair 58 From the Lifetime Achievement 9 From the Editor Awards Chair 13 High Notes 60 NFA Office, Coordinators, Committee Chairs 26 Flute Shots 61 NFA News 49 Across the Miles 63 Notes from Around the World 53 From the 2008 Convention Program Chair 67 Passing Tones 56 From Your Convention Director 69 New Products 57 Goin’ to Kansas City, Kansas City 74 Reviews 16 Here We Come! 85 Index of Advertisers FEATURES 16 The Essence of Mei ( ) by Mihoko Watanabe An exploration of the inspiration behind Mei through interviews with the composer. 28 An Ulster Experience: Flute Bands in Northern Ireland by Michael C. Stoune In Northern Ireland—generally conceded to be the flute center of the universe— bands play for the competitive fun, and out of long family traditions. 36 Valerie Coleman: Revitalizing the Woodwind Quintet by Peter Westbrook Flute performance, composing, Imani Winds, and the desire to bring great music to 28 marginalized communities are among the passions that drive this determined musician. As her ensemble enters its second decade, the self-described “average flutist” is sowing rewards for her steady, hard work. 42 2008 Masterclasses compiled by Tony Watson Cover: Courtesy Como Ordway Memorial Japanese Garden at Como Park Zoo and Conservatory, St. Paul, Minnesota. THE NATIONAL FLUTE ASSOCIATION 26951 RUETHER AVENUE,SUITE H SANTA CLARITA, CA 91351 FOUNDED NOVEMBER 18, 1972 IN ELKHART,INDIANA This magazine is published quarterly by the National Flute Association, Inc., a nonprofit organization. The statements of writers and advertisers are not necessarily those of the NFA, which reserves the right to refuse to print any advertisement. The NFA does not promote or endorse any products, companies, or artists referenced in the editorial content of The Flutist 36 Quarterly. SSN 8756-8667 © 2008 National Flute Association, Inc. 13 nfaonline.org Spring 2008 The Flutist Quarterly 3 OFFICERS Founder, Honorary Life President Mark Thomas 824 Charter Pl. Charlotte, NC 28211-5660 phone/fax: 704-365-0369 [email protected] Chair of the Board Patti Adams 2840 Coliseum St. New Orleans, LA 70115 504-895-5908 [email protected] Vice Chair of the Board Leonard Garrison Lionel Hampton School of Music Music Room #206, University of Idaho Moscow, ID 83844-4015 208-885-6709 fax: 208-885-7254 [email protected] Secretary Lori Akins 5113 Glenaire Dr. Dublin, OH 43017-9479 614-766-1838 [email protected] Chair of the Finance Committee Teresa Beaman Department of Music CSU, Fresno 2380 E. Keats Ave. Fresno, CA 93740-8024 559-278-3975 [email protected] Assistant Secretary Shelley Collins Delta State University Dept. of Music, P.O. Box 3256 Cleveland, MS 38733 662-843-6341 [email protected] BOARD OF DIRECTORS Joanna Bassett (2006–2008) 85 Maywood Ave. Rochester, NY 14618 585-383-0650 [email protected] Bickford Brannen (2007–2009) 559 Pearl St. Reading, MA 01867-1142 781-910-3978 [email protected] Beth Chandler (2006–2008) 626 Sunrise Ave. Harrisonburg, VA 22801 540-574-3772 fax: 540-568-7819 [email protected] Robert Dick (2007–2009) 310 Clermont Ave. #3 Brooklyn, NY 11205 347-244-9373 [email protected], robertdick.net Christopher Krueger (2007–2009) 38 West Pomeroy Lane Amherst, MA 01002 413-256-4552 [email protected] Hal Ott (2006–2008) Department of Music Central Washington University Ellensburg, WA 98926 509-963-1103 fax: 509-963-1239 [email protected] From the CHAIR n January, the NFA’s executive com- music catalog of the NFA Library mittee held its midwinter meetings in available on the site. The work of putting INew Orleans. I was pleased to host back issues of The Flutist Quarterly our meetings and share the wonders of online, searchable by subject, is ongoing. my glorious city with my colleagues. With Anne Welsbacher, the magazine’s Their three-day visit was filled with editor and the NFA’s publications contrasts: glorious culinary treats and a director, we explored the introduction of tour of Mardi Gras parade floats; a drive new columns to the magazine to spot- Patti Adams past regal, antebellum mansions along light innovations in our industry and the historic St. Charles Avenue and a tour work of our wonderful committees. through a few of the many damaged Madeline Neumann, convention direc- neighborhoods rebuilding after the tor, took us through the intricacies of our and vision statements for the NFA, led flood; a short walk through the clamor convention business, discussing with us by two subcommittees of the board, of Bourbon Street and a relaxing cup of possible locations and associated costs chaired by Joanna Bassett and Beth coffee and beignets at Café du Monde; for future conventions. We have asked Chandler. Coupled with our new mission all capped by a visit to Habitat for Madeline to consider Indianapolis, statement, “Inspiring Flutists, Enriching Humanity’s colorful cottages of the Indiana, as one of these possibilities. Lives,” these defining statements for our Musicians’ Village and Brad Pitt’s art As for that city’s Music Crossroads organization will be indispensable tools project “Make It Right” in the Lower proposal I mentioned in my last report, for our endowment and development Ninth Ward. the EC agrees that we need more detailed efforts. I look forward to using the results The executive committee took in information before we can accurately of the board’s work to launch a com- these sites and then got down to work. assess the proposal. I look forward to pelling fund-raising campaign ensuring a In attendance were Vice Chair Leonard reporting further details to you as we strong financial future for the NFA. Garrison, Secretary Lori Akins, Chair of have them. Our staff’s contributions to During our meetings we reviewed the Finance Committee Teresa Beaman, our meetings were invaluable and we reports from committee chairs and Secretary-elect Shelley Collins, CEO benefited greatly from their expertise. competition coordinators, my very Phyllis Pemberton, and myself. There is a new appointment to favorite part of board meetings. These Immediate Past Chair Alexa Still joined announce: Vice Chair Leonard Garrison dedicated volunteers are the lifeblood of us via teleconference call from has agreed to be chair of the forum, Australia, where our 9:00 a.m. meeting after the resignation of the forum’s our organization and we could not do began for her in Sydney at 2:00 a.m. She founder/benefactor and our immediate the work of the NFA without them. stayed with us through 12 hours of past secretary, Carol Dale. Please join My thanks to everyone who con- meetings—a heroic contribution! me in thanking Carol for her generosity tributed to our meetings. I wish you all I also invited members of our staff to and energies in the creation of our could have been with us in New join in by telephone for our meetings: forum, an invaluable new member Orleans enjoying the sites and sounds Webmaster Brian Covington shared benefit for nfaonline.org. (and tastes!) of my unique city. I know with us his exciting innovations for One of the most important issues I speak for all my colleagues on the nfaonline.org and its redesign. We are for midwinter was reviewing and board of directors when I say what an working on ways to make our new approving the new endowment and honor it is to be doing the work of the member forum as user-friendly as gift-acceptance policies. We are also NFA on your behalf. possible, along with making our vast working on the crafting of core value —Patti Adams nfaonline.org Spring 2008 The Flutist Quarterly 5 "RANNEN?30$%PDF0- # - 9 #- -9 #9 #-9 + "RANNEN?30$%PDF0- BWIND614 Jim Walker:Layout 1 1/25/08 11:05 AM Page 1 YFL-994DH JIM WALKER DEPENDS ON YAMAHA. “I love being able to honestly # recommend the FULL line of - Yamaha flutes to students and 9 #- fellow professionals. As a -9 further testimony to my belief #9 in the instruments, I have been #-9 playing Yamaha exclusively for + the past nineteen years.” -Jim Walker, International Flute Soloist . d e v r e s e R s t h g i R l l A . a c i r e m A f o n o i t a r o p r o C a h a m a Y 8 0 0 2 © Q U A L I T Y . S U P P O R T . P R O F E S S I O N A L I S M . V A L U E THE FLUTIST QUARTERLY Anne Welsbacher, Editor Christine Cleary, Amy Hamilton, Contributing Editors Tony Watson, Masterclass Reporter Victoria Stehl, Art Director Galway Management presents Steve diLauro, Advertising Sales Representative Editorial Advisory Board John Bailey "7 Days with the Master" Professor of Flute University of Nebraska–Lincoln Lincoln, Nebraska Sir James Galway's Leone Buyse Joseph and Ida Kirkland Mullen International Flute Masterclass Professor of Flute Rice University August 3 - 9, 2008 Houston, Texas Michelle Cheramy Associate Professor of Music Weggis, Switzerland Memorial University of Newfoundland Assisted by: St.