Flautissimo information
I’d like to introduce myself as the Musical Director of
Flautissimo, the Southampton Flute Orchestra and the newly appointed conductor
of Piccolissimo. Let me tell you some
more about the two groups and about myself…
Flautissimo is a
friendly and enthusiastic group of flautists of all ages of grade 5 standard and
above that meets weekly during term time. The flute orchestra perform around five concerts a year in a variety of settings – from
Winchester Cathedral's Christmas Market and carols at Hedge End to more formal
concerts with other groups at the Turner Sims, Romsey Abbey, and other venues
in Hampshire. As well as local
performances, the group regularly perform at the BFS International Conventions,
and have recently toured Edinburgh, Cornwall, and Dublin. In 2012 the group has
participated in the Adopt a
Composer scheme and
premiered a new work by Lithuanian composer Ruta Vitkauskaite.
Piccolissimo is the Southampton flute choir for beginners
just starting to have lessons either in school or with a private teacher to
grade 4 standard and for anyone who used to play the flute and whose flute is
feeling a bit dusty and forgotten. We
play a variety of repertoire, from simple pieces to gain confidence, through to
trios and quartets that will require a bit of practice to perfect! The group provides an opportunity for less
experienced players to practice ensemble playing, which helps develop skills
such as sight reading, playing in tune, and playing in time. Parents/carers of younger players are welcome
to wait and listen to the group play, seating is available.
Piccolissimo runs every Friday during term time from 6-7pm,
Flautissimo 7-9pm at the Immaculate Conception Church Hall, Portswood, SO17
3SB. Fees are £25 per term. We also sometimes rehearse a particularly
challenging piece with those that would like to stay and tackle it from
9-9.30pm. We do have a break during
Flautissimo for tea, coffee or squash and biscuits and a good catch-up.
I have been a playing member of Flautissimo for several
years, and having become Musical Director in September 2012 I am looking
forward to leading the group to new successes.
I explore new flute orchestra repertoire, alongside old favourites. I was Principal Flute of both the Reading
Youth Orchestra and the Berkshire Youth Orchestra, went on to study Music at
the University of Manchester and followed my degree with a PGCE in Secondary
Music teaching and a Licentiate in Instrumental teaching. My high standard of
playing has been acknowledged with various awards, including the Leon Goossens
trophy at the Oxford Music Festival and the Proctor Gregg award for performance
at university. I have taught locally for
over 10 years and also currently play with Saxophony. Credits with local shows have recently
included Jesus Christ Superstar, Beauty and the Beast and West Side Story. Among my many interests I enjoy finding time
to spend walking in the New Forest with my family, camping in our caravan and
knitting.
New members for both groups are always very welcome at any
point in the term. Come and make new
friends or bring your flute playing friends along.
Useful contacts:
Chairman – sarah@sarahheard.co.uk
You are, of course,
also very welcome to contact me directly if you have any questions: joannaprice2001@yahoo.co.uk or
07841 919309
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