Flutewise at Chelmsford Sinfonietta Festival

I've know Carolyn Wheadon for a very long time. We once taught together for East Sussex Music Service. Carolyn now lives and teaches in the Brentwood/Chelmsford area. She has lots and lots of very talented and motivated young flute players, many of whom have been involved in lots of Flutewise events in the past. I've also know Tim Carey for a very long time. He's been involved with Flutewise as a pianist from the very early days.

Tim organises the Chelmsford Sinfonietta Festival every May. This year he decided to involve flute players, namely Ian Clarke, Trevor Wye and Clare Southworth. Carolyn, being very clever, thought it would be a good idea to put Ian together with some young flute players for a workshop hoping it would encourage them to attend the evening concert with Ian, Trevor and Tim. They really liked the idea and Tim agreed to the workshop and for the young flute players to take part in the evening concert.

So last Thursday, after doing my duty and voting in the general election, I drove off to sunny Chelmsford. The workshop which took place after school in the music department of Chelmsford County High School for Girls was at capacity of 40 people. It is a lovely venue and we are really grateful to the head of music for making it available. The workshop went really well. Everyone had been sent parts to Zig Zag Zoo before the event and this was the main  focus of the afternoon as we were to perform it in the concert. Ian also demonstrated lots of extended techniques and had everyone having a go at them. It was all great fun and everyone worked really hard.

After a packed tea, we all walked to the cathedral which was already full with an excited audience. Zig Zag Zoo was the first piece and it went extremely well. Unfortunately my recording of it failed. Ian played lots of his own compositions in the rest of the first half, with Tim on piano. Amongst the things he played were Zoom Tube and the Great Train Race (both flute solo), Orange Dawn and the Mad Hatter. It was excellent playing and the audience loved it. There was a very long interval and then it was Trevor Wye's turn. He had his huge collection of flutes set out on stage for his Carnival Venice variations. If you haven't seen this show yet then you really should, it's amazing. As part of it he plays a carrot flute and he presented this to one of the young players there.

Clare Southworth is taking part on Saturday evening. I wish I was nearer so I could go to the concert, I know it will be good.

If you took part in this workshop and concert I'd love to hear what you thought about it.