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Music, Healing, and Our Communities- January 2017

Music, Healing and Our Communities:   An Empowering Partnership Michelle S. Lynch, PsyD, LP Detroit Medical Orchestra Since its beginning in 2010, the Detroit Medical Orchestra’s mission of “Bringing Healing Through Music” has been realized by presenting high-level symphonic performances in the heart of downtown Detroit performed by Detroit-area medical students, nurses, resident and attending physicians, allied-health professionals, professors/academics, and well as any other musicians who are passionate about the healing power of music.  The orchestra members are all volunteers, giving generously of their time...

January 8, 2017Feel Good StoriesComments OffRead more...

Flute Lessons to Lesson Plans: My First Days as a Teacher by Ashley Hagadon

Flute Lessons to Lesson Plans: My First Days as a Teacher by Ashley Hagadon First year teacher, that’s what I’m labeled. It seems to be a terrifying phrase because every time I mention it, I get responses like ‘hang in there’ , ’just focus on surviving’ and ‘next year will be better’. Straight out of college I entered a world of seasoned educators, interviews, staff meetings, and more emails than I could keep up with. Among all the chaos I felt completely overwhelmed...

September 27, 2016Feel Good StoriesComments OffRead more...

NFA Internship Program by Dr. Kimberlee Goodman

  NFA Internship Program by Dr. Kimberlee Goodman I attended my first NFA convention in the summer of 1993 in Boston.   I went to the convention and was completely overwhelmed by the sights and sounds.  The following summer, attending as a seasoned expert, the convention was held in Kansas City and I decided to volunteer my time as a door guard.  I really loved contributing and feeling like a part of the organization. In the year 2000 I was finishing up my master’s degree...

August 1, 2016Helpful TipsComments OffRead more...

Stars and Stripes Forever by Nan Raphael

Stars and Stripes Forever by Nan Raphael   The first time I played Stars and Stripes was with my high school band. It was tradition that whoever was playing solo flute got to play the solo in Stars and Stripes. It was quite an honor. I prepared by playing along with a recording from an LP of Sousa Marches.  During the course of my 26 year career in the US Army Field Band I had the honor of playing the solo in Stars and...

July 4, 2016Feel Good StoriesComments OffRead more...

The Magic of Moyse by Dr. Cate Hummel

The Magic of Moyse by Dr. Cate Hummel   In his long career as a performer and teacher, the flutist, Marcel Moyse (1889-1984), influenced many musicians around the world. From Europe to the US and even to Japan, there are musicians alive today who studied with Moyse and pass his musical tenets on to their students. He always credited his own teachers, Paul Taffanel, Philippe Gaubert and Adolphe Hennebains for teaching him these principles. Moyse was mindful of the legacy of his teachers...

June 21, 2016Helpful TipsComments OffRead more...

Merging Cultures Through Music by Carmen Marulanda

Merging Cultures Through Music    From an early age we've familiarized ourselves with foreign music: ethnic, urban, ancient or contemporary music from other cultures, yet our instrumental techniques, our learning methods have remained relatively static, repeating the same exercises and patterns for decades, and even centuries.   Diversity is a motivating force; a creative, renewing source of ideas and concepts when the origins of these ideas are understood and respected. As soon as we understand that we can actually participate and learn from these...

May 19, 2016Helpful TipsComments OffRead more...

The Flute and Flight: A Composer’s Source of Inspiration by Howard J. Buss

The Flute and Flight: A Composer’s Source of Inspiration Howard J. Buss, Composer There is something special about the timbre and agility of the flute that suggests a sonic kinship with birds and the action of flight. Several versions of the creation myth of the Apaches describe how a man, looking for his missing wife, used a flute to transport himself over mountains (“He started away, traveling with a blue flute which had wings … he went entirely around the border of...

April 25, 2016Product FeaturesComments OffRead more...

The History of Altus Handmade Flutes

  The History of Altus Handmade Flutes   The founder of Altus flutes, Mr. Shuichi Tanaka, known as “Speedy” to his friends, is a man of many talents. He is an artist, musician, engineer, businessman, and most notably a master flute maker. As a teenager, Mr. Tanaka studied flute with renowned Japanese teacher and performer Toshio Takahashi. During this time he not only developed into a gifted flutist, but also a sensitive student of flute making with keen insight into the needs of flutists.  In...

March 23, 2016Product FeaturesComments OffRead more...

Cubital Tunnel Syndrome by Dr. Sandra Cox

  Cubital Tunnel Syndrome    Cubital Tunnel Syndrome (QTS) is a common problem in flutists, yet it is not as well known as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. This is the second most common nerve entrapment disorder, after Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, and is frequently seen in flute players, especially in the left arm and hand. The typical causative factors are repetitive movement, coupled with the posture and positioning of the left arm. This problem arises from the repeated bending and straightening of the elbow or...

February 25, 2016Performance HealthComments OffRead more...

Alto Flute: Choosing a Curved or Straight Headjoint by Dr. Christine Potter

Alto Flute: choosing a curved or straight headjoint By Dr. Christine Potter People who are interested in purchasing an alto flute must make a decision whether to get a curved or a straight head joint. There are advantages and disadvantages to both and people should try each design before deciding. Most entry-level altos can be purchased with either head joint or both head joints. If you are a flute choir director purchasing an instrument that several people will use, I suggest getting an...

December 3, 2015Helpful TipsComments OffRead more...

Have Flute… Will Travel! by Katherine Calvey

  Have Flute…. Will Travel! by Katherine Calvey   I intended to compose (not music, but rather this article) in the sierra mountain village of Mexiquillo Durango, Mexico last week, until a power outage left me with my thoughts to ponder in the darkness.  Although the glow from the fireplace lit by my fellow campers (motorcycle aficionados- not classical music devotees) only softly illuminated the paper on which I had been notating adventures lived while devoted to playing the flute transnationally, the warm jovial conversation...

October 22, 2015Feel Good StoriesComments OffRead more...

“How to” Flute Repair Video Series

  Introducing...      Our "How to" Flute Repair Video Series!   We have recorded and released six videos on repairs that flutists can do themselves at home. Some are just temporary repairs to get you through that impending performance or rehearsal. Others are small tasks you can do on your own that will save you a trip to our shop.      You can access the entire series on our website for FREE!    Or access the videos individually here:   1. How to Fix a Loose Headjoint 2. How to Fix a...

September 10, 2015Helpful TipsComments OffRead more...

Orchestral Etiquette by the Entire DSO Flute Section!

Orchestral Etiquette      by The Entire DSO Flute Section!  We recently asked the Detroit Symphony Orchestra flute section for their tips on orchestral etiquette. Their responses were informative and very amusing! Enjoy!     David Buck, Principal Flute      1) There's nothing more distracting than seeing someone turn around and stare when you're playing a big solo in band or orchestra. No matter how great your colleague may sound, never turn your head back to watch or see who's playing--not in a rehearsal, and never in a...

June 25, 2015Helpful TipsComments OffRead more...

FestivalSouth by Rachel Taratoot Ciraldo

Mississippi may not be a place you consider to have a significant cultural economy, but in south central Mississippi, the city of Hattiesburg boasts a vibrant and quickly growing arts scene. About to begin its sixth year, FestivalSouth®, June 6-20, 2015, will again be the platform upon which several educational institutes will take place, including the Southern Flute Festival, presented by Dr. Danilo Mezzadri.  Thanks to the healthy partnership between FestivalSouth® and the University of Southern Mississippi School of Music,...

May 5, 2015EventsComments OffRead more...

A Flutist’s Guide to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

     By Sandra Cox, D.M.A.  Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is one of the most frequently encountered disorders by all instrumentalists, caused by repetitive movements in the wrist and fingers. This is the most common of the nerve entrapment disorders. These conditions are more common in women, and persons with diabetes, thyroid disorders, and arthritis, or are pregnant.  It occurs when the median nerve is caught, or entrapped, between the bones, ligaments, and other tissues found in the wrist. The median nerve...

March 9, 2015Performance HealthComments OffRead more...

Flute Benefit Concert for Chinese Orphans

FLUTE CONCERT PROVIDES EDUCATION FOR 85 CHINESE ORPHAN CHILDREN by Linda Mintener Flutist Linda Mintener, through her church, organizes an annual flute concert to raise funds for more than 85 Chinese orphan children to go to school.  The concerts are free with a free-will offering taken, all of which goes to support the orphans.  The 9th annual Chinese Orphan Benefit Concert will be on Sunday, March 22, 2015 at 2:30 at First Baptist Church in Madison, Wisconsin.  All are invited to attend. Linda began...

January 26, 2015Feel Good StoriesComments OffRead more...

Happy Holidays by Amanda Sparfeld

  Happy Holidays        by Amanda Sparfeld     It's that time of year again, when the colorful lights twinkle on the trees and cozy little houses all around the world. Snowfall, snowmen, menorahs, Christmas trees, singing carols-- all of the beautiful holiday events for the month of December.   As I write this, I am in-between performing two shows of Wicked which is currently at the Detroit Opera House. Though not necessarily a Christmas story, it is a fun show the whole family can enjoy!   Previous to this, I performed Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker" with...

December 15, 2014Feel Good StoriesComments OffRead more...

The Healthy Flute by Sandra Cox, D.M.A.

The Healthy Flute   by Sandra Cox, D.M.A.   Performance-related injuries. These three words can strike terror in any musician. What exactly is a performance-related injury? It is, simply, any injury that prohibits a musician from performing on an instrument. There is no limit on how much it interferes with playing, whether in performance or practice. It does not have to be so severe that it is incapacitating. This means that many times, we can continue to perform. Unfortunately, not having the injury...

November 10, 2014Performance HealthComments OffRead more...

Back to School: Back to Work by Blake Bard

Back to School: Back to Work It’s that time again; time to stock up on school supplies, time to dust off the instrument, time to buy more sheet music, time to start lessons again, and most of all, time to get back to work.  Summer stock is over, and the regular performing season is beginning to take full swing. Now that schooling is over for me, it’s time to find work.  This fall season, I can be seen on the Detroit Opera...

September 6, 2014Feel Good StoriesComments OffRead more...

New Caliendo Flute Ensemble Piece by Julie Stone

New Caliendo Flute Ensemble Piece Premiering at the 2014 NFA Convention   by Julie Stone, Professor of Flute, Eastern Michigan University   “How about a new premiere?! Let's really celebrate!” These were the words in an email from Christopher Caliendo responding to my inquiry about a piece for the Eastern Michigan University Emerald Flutes to perform at the NFA Convention in Chicago. Needless to say Dr. Penny Fischer and I (co-directors of the ensemble) were speechless!! We are fans of his compositions for flute ensemble...

August 6, 2014EventsComments OffRead more...