Flute Clubs Committee

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Resources

Activities

The Flute Clubs Committee is committed to providing resources for NFA members who participate in local and regional flute organizations. Some of the events we have hosted include:

Beyond the Notes: Addressing Flute Choir Intonation - NFA Convention, Phoenix, 2023

During this exciting participatory workshop, flutists were introduced to new approaches and ensemble exercises to improve overall ensemble intonation. Katherine Emeneth, Tori Lupinek Yaussy and Paige Dashner Long guided participants through a wide variety of techniques and approaches to build and improve solid personal and ensemble intonation.

Teaching and Exploring Diverse Flute Choir Repertoire - NFA Convention, Phoenix, 2023

The Flute Clubs and Pedagogy Committees presented ways to encourage diversity through flute choir programming in youth, college, and adult/professional ensembles. The committees addressed issues in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in flute choirs and shared their database of flute choir repertoire that provides solutions to some of these issues. Following the discussion, attendees participated in a reading session featuring selected works from the database.

Double Panel Session: Keeping the Torch Lit and Building a Flute Community - NFA Convention, Phoenix, 2023

Keeping the Torch Lit explored the structures of different organizations, offered resources for 501c3 organizations, and discussed strategies to help prevent burnout in leadership roles. Panelists were Maeve McGonigal, Heather Neuenschwander, Eftihia Varkoudis, and Delandria Mills. Building a Flute Community featured flute choir, club, and camp leaders who have found innovative ways to recruit and retain members in their area through outreach and other methods. Panelists were Karen Large, David Kelsey, Katherine Isbill Emeneth, and Olivia Boatman.

Flute Choir Warm Up with Native American Repertoire - NFA Convention, Phoenix, 2023

This session was an interactive, refreshing, and powerful flute choir warm-up, connecting with the energy from the land, led by Mihoko Watanabe.

A Look Behind the Conductor's Stand - NFA Convention, Chicago, 2022

This presentation included tips to help conductors prepare and plan for rehearsals and concerts. Conducting patterns and best practices were also shared. 

Celebrating and Evolving Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Our Flute Organizations - NFA Convention, Chicago, 2022

Flute Club Leaders across the US hosted a panel discussion in celebration of progress related to diversity, equity, and inclusion in regional flute organizations, highlighting innovative ways that they are working to evolve diversity, equity, and inclusion in their flute community.

Mindful Flute Choir Warm-Up Session - NFA Convention, Chicago, 2022

This refreshing flute choir warm-up session led by Mihoko Watanabe used morning meditation to establish our present, intentional, and non-judgemental awareness for playing music together.

Thinking Big: Expanding the Flute Repertoire - NFA Virtual Convention, 2021

Has your flute organization ever wanted to commission a new work to expand the flute repertoire? Have you ever wanted to approach a composer to discuss a potential collaboration but not known where to start? In this interactive session, a team of composers will discuss important considerations for flute organizations that would like to commission new music for their members and ensembles and shed some light on the process. This moderated panel will guide attendees through the entire process of commissioning new works and will answer questions that every organization is thinking but is afraid to ask! This event will feature composers Nicole Chamberlain, Amanda Harberg, and Judy Nishimura.

Building Community Through Online Events - NFA Online Event, 2020

A panel of flute club leaders from across the country discussed what their organizations have done to build community online during challenging times. Panelists discussed what has worked for their flute clubs, how they have adapted to an online-only format, and lessons they have learned along the way. Speakers included Jeffrey Beyer, Mariana Gariazzo, Rose Johnson, Brian Luce, and Sarah Shin.

Bringing Your Flute Club into the 21st Century - NFA Summer Series, 2020

In this online presentation, a panel of experts provided information and tips along with supplemental materials to help clubs make informed decisions regarding their digital footprint. Topics covered included website-building, email services, membership database services, web payment options, social media outlets, and digital submissions for competition recordings. After a video presentation, attendees were encouraged to ask questions of the panelists and were empowered to embrace technological options to advance the growth of their organizations. Presenters included Gianna Capobianco, Hilary Janysek, Ellen Johnson Mosley, Melissa Keeling, Julee Kim Walker, Sydnee Stein, and Susan Todenhoft.

Committee Chat - NFA Summer Series, 2020

Members of the NFA Flute Clubs Committee hosted an informal chat for members to talk about their regional flute clubs/choirs and how they were handling the impacts of COVID-19 on performances and other events. This session provided a space for members of regional flute clubs across the nation to meet, discuss, and share ideas for remaining connected during this unprecedented time.

Striking the Right Chord: Crafting Dynamic Flute Choir Arrangements - NFA Convention, Salt Lake City, 2019 

In this interactive session, a team of flute choir composers and arrangers discussed important considerations and solutions to common pitfalls when arranging music for flute ensembles. This moderated panel guided attendees through topics including how to select pieces for flute choir arrangements, how to commission an arrangement for your ensemble, how to orchestrate effectively, how to publish flute choir arrangements, and common copyright issues arrangers should consider. At the end of panel, the experts met individually with audience members for mini-mentoring sessions to tackle specific problems in their flute choir arrangements. Moderated by Kelly Sulick, this session featured panelists Nicole Chamberlain, Daniel Dorff, Matt Johnston, Daniel Kessner, and Phyllis Avidan Louke. 

How to Start a Flute Club - NFA Convention, Salt Lake City, 2019 

A group of panelists discussed how to start a flute club or flute choir, guiding attendees through the daunting but rewarding work of beginning their own flute organization. Several experienced flute club leaders and founders addressed questions related to the formation of flute organizations. Moderated by Erica Pirtle from the NFA Flute Clubs Committee, this session featured panelists Kathy Farmer (Atlanta Flute Club), Penny Fischer (founder of the Flute Society of Washington), Alina Osika (webmaster and member of the Utah Flute Association), and Mihoko Watanabe (Indiana Flute Club).