Which is to say: FULL! Morning: last lessons of master class given by our wonderful guest artist, Aldo Baerten- fabulous playing and fabulous teaching, exciting to watch! While everyone goes off to lunch, set up an expo of Powell flutes and piccolos in main room. Rush to lunch, eat on the fly. Seminar on the Powell company, its storied background, and current offerings, followed by a swarm of eager testers, swapping out head joints and bodies, great fun, the proverbial "birdcage on fire". OOPS, time's up, chamber music! Quick check on the duo working up the winning composition of our composition competition, "Traveling", for flue and alto flute, by Ricardo Matosinhos. Brilliant playing by two excellent participants. Then we crash the composers seminar, run by the President of the competition's jury, Ivan Moody, and the duo is worked through with the composer: a few tweaks here and there—a fantastically fun píece! Then on to hear a Kohler Quartet, which is coming along great— Friday performance on the docket. Then rush to rehearse "Recompor" by Jorge Ramos with a large ensemble: fine-tuning balance and expression, checking details with Jorge- so useful to have LIVING COMPOSERS at hand. Finally a moment of rest, then the urge to practice- a golden half hour, not bad. Final event: "Body Percussion" with Artur Carvalho. FUN FUN FUN. I am terrible, but who cares! Totally cool teacher; I want to do it again NOW! And just before starvation hits: dinner with Ivan- civilized and entertaining yakking over great food! Now that's a day in a "life in music", folks!
Summer Flute Academy-AFV
A day full of inspiration
We broke with our usual AFV schedule yesterdayyy to host a masterclass by the fabulous Belgian flutist Aldo Baerten, and it was well worth it! Beyond being a flutist, he's a "musician's musician": the flute is only a tool for making MUSIC, rather than an end in and of itself. He gave generously in his attention, respect, knowledge and appreciation to each student, and they were remarkably adroit in making the suggested changes. I thoroughly enjoyed the day: I was simultaneously a teacher observing an admirable colleague's work… and taken back to my days as a young player attending masterclasses—scribbled notes to keep as food for thought and useful tactics to try when the well of my own inspiration runs dry. Thanks again to Powell Flutes, who sponsored Aldo here! (Having a technical snafu whereby I cannot attach photos to the blog- I'll do photos next week from home…). Cheers to all!
Welcoming Aldo Baerten to The AFV
Monday I finally met Aldo Baerten here at the Summer Flute Academy, where he'll be guest-teaching courtesy of the generosity of Powell Flutes. I've been waiting for this moment for MONTHS, and we hit it off in a major way. After an opening concert by the professors in music ranging from Purcell to Takemitsu and finishing with a Scherzo from a quartet by Walckiers, we headed for great food (this is Porto, after all) and stayed talking way too late! You might say that the music business has been truly globalized when a Belgian and a Californian know any number of people in common—including Australians, and I've not even been to Australia! We discussed the orchestral life, teaching, teachers and students, and how the connections formed link us all not only geographically but to the past and the future. A different kind of World Wide Web. Today Aldo will stat working with the fabulous students of the AFV, and another set of new connections will begin to form!
Head's up! Powell Flutes at the Summer Flute Academy
Here's some of the gear I'm packing up to take to the Summer Flute Academy (AFV)! There's lots more swag to show, but these gorgeous Powell head joints were just asking to have their photo taken! (Really, I mean it: begging!). I'll have flutes and piccolos from all four Powell line to try out. On the 31st of August, I'll be wending my way south from Porto by car and can stop to show instruments along the way, just contact me to set up an appointment. I'll also have detailed information flyers about all Powell lines, materials, options and so forth—just ask or pick one up at the Academy. See you there!
Handmade Custom Powell head joints, in Silver, Aurumite 9k, 14k, 9k Gold, and Grenadilla
Aldo Baerten to perform and teach at the Summer Flute Academy
We are delighted to welcome the Belgian Flutist Aldo Baerton to the 4th Summer Flute Academy (AFV). Aldo is Principal Flute of the Royal Flemish Philharmonic, and Professor at the Conservatories in Antwerp and Utrecht. As a Powell Artist, he comes to Porto through the sponsorship of Powell Flutes, USA—thank you, Boston!
Along with a master class for AFV participants, he'll be presenting an exciting recital accompanied by Jon Ayerst of REMIX ENSEMBLE, joining us for our teacher's opening recital, and making his first proper visit to Porto and Portugal. Bemvindo, Aldo, and thank you so much for joining us! (Time to break out a decent bottle of wine!). His classes are filled, but auditors may of course attend—Tuesday and Wednesday morning, July 26 and 27.
Aldo Baerton, flutist
Summer Flute Academy - almost time!
Next Monday, already, the 4th Summer Flute Academy (Academia de Flauta de Verão) will start up, and it's going to be the best, ever! We'll all be busy playing for 6 intense days, with workshops and ensemble playing and so much else I can barely remember it all. This year for the first time, we'll have the added excitement of a master class and recital by the wonderful Belgian flutist Aldo Baerten, courtesy of Powell Flutes, who we thank very much. More about Aldo soon!
Just two things I want to say about the AFV: there is still time to sign up as a auditor on the AFV website! Secondly, what an honor it is to work in tandem with my wonderful colleagues Stephanie Wagner (REMIX ENSEMBLE) and Raquel Lima (ESMAE). Along with being fabulous flutists, who are always pushing the envelope (or several!), they are THE BEST collaborators ever! We've been working behind the scenes all year, so come over and see what's up! Here's a happy photo from last year's edition:
Professors Raquel Lima and Stephanie Wagner, Ana Sofia Domingues, and myself—3rd AFV, 2015