UTEP's Las Flautistas Perform in Chicago
The Utep flute choir just returned from their performance at the National Flute Association 50th Anniversary Convention in Chicago. Over 3,000 flutists from all over the globe gathered at the Chicago Hilton to celebrate with music making and clinics.
Las Flautistas performed for flutists from across the US and a small group from Dublin, Ireland, (who, following the performance made an impromptu proposal for exchange concerts.) Utep’s own Dominic Dousa composed a piece for the group especially for this 50th anniversary NFA performance, Ripples in the Breeze. (Because of this performance, attended by a flute publisher, there are talks of the piece being published.) Additionally another composer, Eugene Magalif, came to the Chicago concert because we were performing his Polyphonic Variations on a Korea Folk Song.
Students attended concerts of internationally acclaimed artists, accompanied by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, recitals by world class performers, clinics on every possible musical topic, and met (and got photos with) their personal heroes. (Venus Alarcon with Jasmine Choi.) Several students have vowed to enter the competitions next year for National Flute Choir and/or age specific Young Artist competitions.
Las Flautistas performance was superb. I got an email from a Chicago flutist who said that concert was the highlight of his NFA convention.
In addition to music making and lots of listening and learning, they got to see Lake Michigan and eat Chicago style pizza, all in all, a life-changing trip.