|
The Austin
Flute Club |
||
|
The Austin Flute Club is for flute lovers in the Austin metropolitan area. Our members are people of all ages and professions, including students, teachers, professionals and amateurs. The purpose of the club is to promote the performance, study, and enjoyment of flute music among all interested persons, players and non-players alike. This non-profit organization was formed over 14 years ago because there is a need for educational opportunities, the presentation of excellent visiting flutists, and the performance of members. The Austin Flute Club is also home to the Austin Flute Choir consisting of adult members. The Choir rehearses before performances, and performs throughout the year. In addition, middle school and high school choirs are formed for performance during the year. Our season begins in September and includes flute choir and district music clinics, master classes and recitals by visiting artists, and a Young Artists Competition with divisions for 8th and 9th grades and anther for 10th,11th and 12th grades. This is followed by the Spring performance of the winners of the Young Artists Competition. History The Austin Flute Club (AFC) was started in 1987 primarily by Karen Mitchell, a flutist who was very interested in flute choirs. Many other flutists helped the club get off the ground, and in 1992, the Austin Flute Club obtained certification as a non-profit organization. Throughout the years, the AFC has helped sponsor a number of major flutists to perform concerts in Austin, including Tallon Perkes, Brad Garner, Tadeu Coelho, Gwen Powell, and many others. The Club also sponsors the Annual Winter Flute Festival Concert, where flute groups throughout the area can enjoy performing for each other and the public. In addition to sponsoring concerts, the AFC has sponsored a number of educational activities, including:
Master Classes given by Leone Buyse, Ransom Wilson, and Robert Stallman, among others: High School Workshop given by Mary Karen Clardy; and Middle School Workshop led by members of the Adult Flute Choir (many of whom are flute teachers). Each year, the AFC generally helps support one or more University of Texas (UT) flute functions, whether it be a concert or educational activity. Our newsletter and web page are distributed to members to announce concerts, recitals, and other flute activities within the AFC member area. The Flute Club maintains a teacher list as a service to our members. The Adult Flute Choir has always been sponsored by the AFC. For the first few years of the AFCs existence, the Flute Choir was a loose-knit organization. However, around 1990, the Flute Choir began regular rehearsals and formed an organized library. Since then, the Flute Choir has earned money to support Club activities by playing at places such as the Island on Lake Travis, larger church services, and weddings.The Choir has also performed at the Galleria Oaks Shopping Center Christmas Event, for the Austin Womens Club, and at Christmas parties. The Flute Choir has performed alone or with other groups, like the Austin Civic Chorus. A big highlight of the Flute Choir's history was when they were chosen to play at the Texas State Flute Convention in Denton in May of 1998. This year the AFC will continue its tradition of community outreach by sponsoring the Flute Choir's performances at retirement homes, sponsoring the Annual Young Artists Competition and Winners Recital, and cosponsoring one or more activities with UT Austin. |
||
