Flute Watch

Molly Duggan is a young, emerging technician who has been repairing flutes for two years in Portland, Oregon. Loquacious and charismatic, she is the type of person who can effortlessly place herself into any conversation that she pleases. It is this personality that Molly's customers love her for: genuine, conversational, and energetic. But despite her tender experience in the flute repair industry, Molly just received an affirmation that many flute technicians dream to have: Molly is now Straubinger certified. The Straubinger™ Pads were invented by flutist David Straubinger when he noticed the inconsistencies and erroneous nature of the traditional flute pads. Traditional flute pads are constructed with materials such as natural felt and cardboard which are imprecise and susceptible to changes in weather and humidity. They are, therefore, less reliable and stable and prone to developing leaks. David Straubinger realized this and embarked on a four-year journey to develop the ...

The holidays are less than a week away, and you are stressed. You wanted to surprise your flute friend, teacher, or student with a gift but you forgot all about it. Here are five best last-minute gifts for your fellow flutists for all levels. 1. Emmanuel Pahud: 5 Classic Albums Emmanuel Pahud is one of the most eminent flute players in the world today, boasting a lengthy array of discography. His set of 5 classic albums contain Pahud's own recordings of classic staples of the flute repertoire, including the Bach, Telemann, Vivaldi, and Mozart Flute Concertos. Owning one of his albums is a status symbol, signaling his or her commitment and passion for the flute. This gift would be perfect for a professional flutist, private teacher, or college student. Price: $18.99 Available on Amazon. 2. Flute Patent Poster This flute poster is a vintage display of the professional flute patent when it was patented in 1908. Subtle yet tasteful, these poster...

The December Sunday Soiree ended with a flute choir reading session The Carolyn Nussbaum Music Company is bringing together the greater Texas flute community by hosting these charming Sunday Soirées. A soirée, as defined by Google, is "an evening party or gathering, typically in a private house, for conversation or music." Originally, these rituals were held at the home of flutist Claire Johnson as a way for flutists to gather and perform in a low-pressure environment. Carolyn then took the initiative to revive the tradition for musicians down at her music shop in Plano, Texas. I was always enraptured by these Sunday Soirées, but I never went until I forced myself out on the evening of December 8th. On the Facebook page, the event description emphasized how the soirées were "beautifully casual." I never quite understood how casual they truly were until I attended one myself. Upon arriving, I was greeted by employee Carole Overturf, who led me to the refreshme...

The Dallas Symphony Orchestra performs at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center On November 22, 2019, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra showcased a program featuring worldwide renowned virtuoso Maxim Vengerov. This program, the second performance of its kind that weekend, was a demanding collection of the Bruch Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in G minor, Ravel's Tzigane for Violin and Orchestra, and Prokofiev's Symphony No. 6 in E-flat minor, Op. 111. Additionally, the symphony brought in award-winning conductor Xian Zhang to communicate between the orchestra and soloist Vengerov. Maxim Vengerov is a Grammy award-winning artist, known by many as one of the world's finest musicians. He did not fail to disappoint that night. His own rendition of the Bruch Violin Concerto was effortlessly splendid, best described as a chocolatey mix of effervescence. The first movement was rich and superfluous. Throughout the second movement, the master violinist extended an ...

The Dallas Opera performed Mozart’s masterpiece, The Magic Flute, a total of six times. Set and Costume Designer Gerald Scarfe crafted the most delightful and whimsical costumes for the set, including a magnificent dragon, various overadroned monkeys, and an adorable penguin-like creature. Jeni Houser, playing as the Queen of Night, dominated her iconic solo, perfectly executing her high Cs and As. Sean Michael Plumb, playing as Papageno, was the star of the show, exhibiting a comical exuberance that perfectly played into the Mozart's lightheartedness in the orchestral parts. But most enchanting to listen to was the tone of Heather Blackburn, Principal Flutist of the Dallas Opera Orchestra. She performed with a gracious confidence, weaving in and out the chamber orchestra with ease, particularly during the introduction. Her tone, notably pure and gorgeous, resonated throughout the entire hall. Flutists Kareen Britt and Jenifer McKenzie did an equally wonderful...

On Saturday, November 9th, Gemma New took to the Dallas Symphony podium to direct a program of Impressionistic masterpieces, from Debussy's Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun to Debussy's La Mer. Two other pieces were performed that night, including a world premiere of Steven Mackey's Timpani Concerto and the Dallas premiere of Salina Fisher's Rainphrase. Overall, the Dallas Symphony was excellent at portraying Debussy's works. The strings displayed immense control of phrases and dynamics, recreating the tipsy quality of Impressionistic music. Their ebb and flow, especially during Debussy's La Mer, was wonderfully mimicked to the rise and fall of the tides, splashing a vivid image of waves for the audience's imagination. Steven Mackey's Timpani Concerto was odd, to say the least. While percussion soloist Brian Jones held clear mastery of his instrument, the overall piece did not hold up its promotion. Mackey's attempt to push beyond the envelo...