Two Salutations

Back in 2002, I decided to take the plunge and head overseas to participate in my first international flute summer school in Oxford. The Oxford Flute Summer School (https://oxfordflutes.co.uk/) is still running, and I encourage flute players of all ages and abilities to add this summer school to your list of flute experiences.

The opportunity to meet flute players from all over the world, hear amazing recitals, and study with people I’ve only ever heard of on CD was a truly unforgettable experience. Being able to soak up the city and wander around the grounds of Worcester College in between lessons were an added inspiration.

It was all simply amazing…once I finally got there…

Long story short, the plane I caught from Sydney to London experienced an electrical fire in the cargo hold about 15 minutes after take-off. The Captain, fortunately, chose to return to Sydney and we were all safely evacuated from the aircraft. All indications at the time pointed towards a departure on the next available flight, but instead, the waiting game turned into a two day stopover in Sydney. With a flute, some manuscript, and a trusty pencil, I decided to put to the time to use and channel all of the waiting into music.

The end result is an unaccompanied work for solo Flute in two movements. This piece is a great opportunity for intermediate to advanced Flute players to explore some accents with bite, lyrical hollowness, and some strategic use of silence.

In the end, I finally made it to Oxford (I only missed about half a day I think), and the well-known carrier successfully placated a plane full of passengers with a complimentary flight to anywhere in the world!

“I am very glad to have the opportunity to record and play your piece. It is a very nice piece… Regarding the flute technique it is very well written…” Tiago Canto, Flute (Portugal - July, 2021)