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There have been many Flutewise courses over the years, but I think
everyone involved will agree that these were THE BEST!
They
took place at Abbotsholme School, Rocester, Staffordshire over 2-8
April. We had an Adult and Teacher course as well as an International
Masterclass, running concurrently for 3 days. Each day there was
a joint flute choir, but separate classes. Carolyn Robinson was
the expert who took care of all of the adults.
One
highlight was that each of the adults received a private lesson
from one of the teachers on two days of the course. Another was
the aromatherapy and other similar treatments the adults indulged
in provided by Sue Besly.
The
rest of the staff were:
-
the amazing Dean Stallard who travelled all the way from Norway
-
the wonderful Kirsten Spratt who travelled all the way from Sweden
-
the awesome Ruth Ann McClain who travelled all the way from Memphis,
USA
- the
electrifying Tim Carey who travelled all the way from Essex (he
plays piano you know)
This
quartet of fine musicians all entertained us with a fabulous concert
on Saturday evening and once we kicked the grown-ups out, they did
the same for all the kids who arrived on Monday for a 4 day course.
Kirsten
brought her sister, Lucy with her and she was a huge success at
sorting out everyone’s flutes. We were also joined by Carolyn
Wheadon and Lynn Myall who came to work on ensembles for the real
highlight of the course. Gavin and Caroline Tate-Lovery were also
at hand for our brand new Saxwise course.
As
usual, the wonderful people from the flute shops supported us and
we had a visit from Patrick with his Top Wind shop and Adam with
the Just Flutes shop.
42
young people aged from 9 to 18 ranging from beginners to post Grade
8 spent a wonderful 4 days playing their flutes and getting ready
for........... our day at ALTON TOWERS!!!! We performed a lovely
concert and then went on the rides. What more could any flute player
want?
Some letters from our course members:
Just a line to say thanks so much for Abbotsholme - you must have
put so much work into this personally - and it showed. Although
I am new to Flutewise, I am just enjoying more and more of it
and definitely a fully-fledged fan.
Please pass on warm thanks to Kirsten, Dean and Tim for all their
great instruction, their patience with the likes of me and all
their supportive comments.
I also just wanted to pay a quick personal tribute to the stunning,
beautiful playing of Emily and Beth. I know we are blessed with
some fantastic young flautists around the country but they were
exceptional. I think that comment probably goes for all of us,
including those above, who had the pleasure of hearing not just
their phenomenal technique but their assured, mature rendering
of some frighteningly challenging repertoire. At many points it
felt as if they were not simply playing the pieces; they virtually
became what they were playing, such that they and the music were
indivisible. They simply made the pieces sing, I sense there were
moments when even the pro’s leading us were rocked by their
playing and their obvious rapport with each other’s
style. The pleasure they gave was remarkable and rare, an
unforeseen bonus to a great weekend - and one the memory of which
will last long.
See
you again soon. Steve.
A very big thank you from us all for your wonderful ongoing support
of all young flautist and in particular your support of Alice.
Alice had such a lovely Easter course, she said it was the best
ever and enjoyed every minute, the course was finished off with
the wonderful trip to Alton Towers where we had a fantastic
time. The concert was lovely and everyone must have worked so
hard to bring together the different abilities and personalities
to produce such excellence, well done to everyone and please please
all you teachers keep up the good work, these children need you!
The highlight of the concert for us and Alice was her playing
the base flute, we were amazed she could even hold such an instrument,
still she has always been very determined. Unfortunately she was
not tall enough for all the rides at Alton Towers and needs
to grow a bit before next year.
Alice has gained so much from Flutewise, in the past it has provided
a high degree of confidence relating to both playing and performing,
this time we felt it gave her an additional benefit. Although
Alice loves going to a specialist music school and we are 150%
delighted with ‘Chets’ she has to work so hard, practicing
on average 3 hours per day, as you can imagine this is very hard
when you are only 9 years of age, she is the only Flautist in
the junior section of the school and has little to compare
her progress with. We felt that being with you over Easter
gave her reassurance that hard work will ultimately pay off as
she mixed with flautists of all abilities and ages, in addition
it gave her the opportunity to have fun and relax, all of which
provides an environment for all round development. BRILLIANT!
We have visited the travel agents and have brochures for the Croatian
Islands, if you could forward dates, exact location and times
of the summer course we would be very grateful.
We have unpacked Alice bags and have not found either of the missing
items (DVD and Personal CD Player) we hope that you are ale to
find them.
Once again a VERY BIG THANK YOU and we are looking forward to
seeing you in Croatia.
Kind
regards, Alan and Sandie Leaver
Thank
you for a very enjoyable time at Abbotsholme last week. I had
a wonderful time and learnt a lot. I also made lots of new friends
and can’t wait to come again! Do you have any details of
the Flutewise event in Grimsby in June? As I would like to come.
Also do you have information about the concert with Sir James
Galway in London in December? I look forward to hearing from you.
Eleanor
Brooke
Just a quick line to say many thanks to you and all the staff
and kids at Abbotsholme. Maria (Sealey) enjoyed herself immensely.
It was such a good experience for her. Everyone was friendly and
welcoming. Maria has swapped phone numbers with some of her room
mates and hopefully they will all make the effort to stay in touch
with each other. The experience of playing to the public at Alton
Towers was so valuable. Having only 2 or 3 members of her flute
class, this was the kind of opportunity that Maria needed to help
build her confidence, as well as a chance for her to see what
can be achieved. I am so pleased that Maria went to Abbotsholme
and we sincerely hope she will be able to attend again next year
as well as other events.
Thank you to all involved for all the effort. Well done - good
show!
Best
wishes, Julie Wright & Phil Kemp and, of course, Maria.
Thank
you for such a wonderful residential course over the last few
days. I have had lots of fun and learned lots of new things and
I can’t wait till next year!
From
Thomas Martin
I
recently went to your Flutewise residential course at Abbotsholme
and I had the most amazing time! I really enjoyed playing my flute
in a group, especially in Flute choir. But the highlight of my
stay was the concert at Alton Towers! My friends and I had a fab
day on the rides.
I would like to say thank you to everyone who helped out
and made my time enjoyable. I hope you can organise another residential
course at Abbotsholme next year!
Thanks
again, Lucy Smith xxx
It
was a wonderful course I loved every minute of it. I
think it was by far the best ever! I liked the fact that
we didn’t concentrate on the level pieces but instead
did ensembles (partly because I hadn’t learnt the pieces).
And Alton Towers was the best idea ever, I had so much fun
that day!!
Lauren
Parfitt
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