March 2017 could be considered the Month of the Flute at CU Boulder. In addition to Eklund Opera’s production of Mozart’s “The Magic Flute,” CU Presents’ Artist Series brings Sir James and Lady Jeanne Galway to Macky Auditorium for a performance. And Associate Professor of Flute Christina Jennings has turned the days surrounding the Galway visit into a long-awaited celebration of the flute.
On March 21 and 22, the Once a Flutist festival invites flutists from around the region to the Boulder campus for an immersion in the technique, diversity and spirit of the oldest instrument on Earth.
“Flute studio alumni, people who play or used to play, children who just started playing—and people who just love the flute—are all invited,” Jennings says. “There’s something for everyone!”
The festival’s name grew from the idea that once you’ve become a flutist, no matter what direction your life takes, you are always a flutist at heart.
Two days, culminating with the Galways’ performance the evening of the 22nd, the Once a Flutist schedule is packed with master classes, panels on flute teaching, a lunchtime jazz concert with Thompson Jazz Studies director John Gunther and exhibits from the top flute companies in the country.
Jennings’ Faculty Tuesday program on the 21st premieres a flute orchestra piece, written by composition student Egeman Kesikli and featuring 20 performers from the College of Music faculty and staff.
“It’s called ‘Breathless,’” Jennings says. “It reminds me of all the times I’ve been somewhere when people find out I play flute they’re breathless to tell me that they used to play too!” The Faculty Tuesday recital also features a collaboration with members of the Eisenhower Elementary School choir.
After 10 years of teaching at the College of Music, Jennings says she’s thrilled to have the chance to give back to the flourishing Colorado flute community.
And giving flutists of all ages and levels the chance to hear “the man with the golden flute” play on the Macky stage makes the event a once-in-a-lifetime treat.
Tickets for the festival cost up to $20. For a full list of sessions, Once a Flutist ticket and registration information and to secure your tickets to the Galway Artist Series performance, visit the Once a Flutist page.