world / classical
7:30 PM
$8 suggested donation
Willow Flute Ensemble
http://willowfluteensemble.org/
Dances and songs from Japan, Romania, Argentina, Venezuela! New
arrangements by WFE!
The Willow Flute Ensemble grew out of a group of eight flutists who had played in the flute choir at Powers Music School in Belmont, MA. When conductor Mary Neumann moved out of state, these musicians regrouped in the newly independent form of the Willow Flute Ensemble.
Under the direction of Rebecca Carson Rogers, Willow began playing gigs as diverse as the Boston Symphony Café, the Lexington Historical Society, the Longy School of Music Bach’s Lunch series, and the winter food bank fundraiser at Russell’s Garden Center. In addition, WFE holds regular full-length concerts of increasing variety and complexity, often with guest artists. In the summer of 1998 Willow performed on the “Flutes d’Ete” concerts with three other groups, including the Ensemble de Flutes ad Libitum from Dijon, France. At Willow’s December 1999 “Holiday Flute Fantasy” concert, WCRB’s Ray Brown was featured as the narrator for Sonny Burnette’s ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas.
only Willow’s second season, the ensemble was invited to premiere Stone Suite, the newest work by Sonny Burnette, three-time winner of the James Madison University Flute Choir Competition. Commissioned by renowned low flute specialist Chris Potter of Boulder, CO, each movement of Stone Suite showcases a solo by bass flute, alto flute, C-flute, or E-flat flute. When Stone Suite was awarded a spot at the 1999 National Flute Association Convention on the “Inspirations from a Small Planet: newly-composed works” concert, Willow was thrilled to be invited by Dr. Potter to perform with her there. Willow also earned its own solo concert at the NFA Convention in Atlanta that summer, a debut which earned praise from flutists and flute choir specialists around the country.
Willow’s performance of Keith Amos’ Sudeley Castle at the Convention so impressed the composer that he asked the ensemble to premiere his newest flute choir composition, Hampton Court. Willow enjoys premiering new works, having also premiered a jazzy arrangement of the Thad Jones tune A Child is Born by Michael Annicchiarico of the University of New Hampshire, and in the Summer of 2002, Eun Jung Choi’s Sai.
1999 brought new challenges and excitement to WFE as the ensemble recorded its first full-length CD. Containing works by Ryohei Hirose, Mozart, Samantha Cooke, and others, this recording is an excellent selection of some of the best works available today for multiple flutes. Phyllis Louke, composer and director of the Rose City Flute Choir in Portland, OR, said “This is a fabulous CD! My favorite piece on it is Divertimento-Jazz by Guiot. Willow sounds wonderful, and the variety of music on this CD will make you want to listen to it again and again.” Ray Brown of WCRB added, “The delicacy of the flutes is balanced nicely by the surprising richness of the total sound. Soothing, spirited, and beautiful.”
2001, Willow announced the arrival of new Music Director Orlando Cela, and the 2001-2002 season has brought many opportunities. At the Greater Boston Flute Association Flute Fair (at which Willow is regularly featured), Willow performed Mosaics by New England Conservatory faculty member John Heiss. Mr. Heiss called Willow “a great asset to the Boston musical community”, and continued, “Their esprit-de-corps, superior organizational skills and marvelous programming are most impressive!”
Willow was the only Boston-based flute choir to perform at the 2002 National Flute Association Convention in Washington, DC.
Production: Orlando Cela