One time, at the Johnstone Woodwind Master Series, prestigious artists and musicians gathered to listen and learn the secrets of being a professional musician.
The series and Flute Festival are two different events, but fused together this year because the Master Series decided to feature the flute. This is the 24th annual flute festival, originally started by one of Ohio State’s professors of music, Katherine Borst Jones.
Borst Jones said hundreds of people are expected to gather at the four-day festival to participate in workshops, concerts and seminars.
“It’s going to be a full weekend of learning, playing and listening,” she said. “All our guests have international reputations.”
Guests include Robert Aitken, Peter Lloyd and Chris Norman. Lloyd is an internationally acclaimed musician and new to this year’s events. Originally from England, this is his debut appearance at OSU.
Lloyd began playing professionally in 1953 and started teaching in 1995, saying, with a chuckle, he’s “too old to play now.” The festival is a chance for Lloyd not only to work with the 20 flute majors at OSU, but also past students.
“I’m excited to see old friends, my ex-students and doing classes; it’s going to be fun,” he said.
Rachel Alto is the current president of the Central Ohio Flute Association, OSU chapter and has helped plan activities for the event. Don’t be confused, the event isn’t just for flute enthusiasts. Alto said the music can interest anyone because several pieces of the music are Celtic and Scottish and this year there will also be a percussionist.
“The festival is important because we bring in guest artists from all over the country,” she said. “I encourage people to attend. Listen to something outside your realm, you might learn something.”
Scouted out by a band director, Suzanne Shonkwiler has played flute for 12 years and is now a graduate teaching assistant involved with the festival. She hopes students get many different experiences out of the festival, including how to make it after graduation. Shonkwiler said there are currently only four positions open to flutists in America.
“It’s a great opportunity for those beginning to see the instruments’ capability. They can learn from things the guests have done and be versatile,” she said.
“There are three different artists with different careers. If you want to know what a musician does – composing, conducting, teaching – this is the times to learn how they get by.”
The climax of festival will take place Saturday night when Norman and the OSU flute troupe take center stage.
“He wrote a piece especially for us,” Borst Jones said. “It’s called ‘Sunshine Saint Eulalie,’ and we’re premiering it at the concert Saturday night.”
Borst Jones said visitors are encouraged to bring their own instruments to the concert for a jam session after the show.
For information about the festival, visit flute.osu.edu.
Amanda Dolasinski can be reached at [email protected].
