The Arioso Flute Choir performed at Flutefest in the Zug Recital Hall at 7:30p.m. on Monday, March 16. Dr. Paula Nelson, adjunct faculty, the faculty coordinator of Flutefest and the instructor of the Arioso Flute Choir, accompanied the choir on the piano.
The twelve-member choir performed several light classical pieces, including the Overture from Semiramide by Rossini, “Farandole” from L’Arlesienne Suite No. 2 by Bizet, “Sonata Pian’ e Forte” by Gabrieli and “How Lovely is Thy Dwelling Place” from A German Requiem by Brahms. These pieces were performed by the choir as a whole. Smaller group ensembles performed pieces such as Handel’s Trio Sonata in F Major, Haydn’s London Trio #3, Schocker’s Flutes in the Garden and the Rondo from Kuhlau’s Grand Quartet in E Minor.
Nelson selected pieces that fit the sound of each group. For the full choir, she said she chose pieces that would highlight the full “flute orchestra” sound. “We are fortunate to have a large flute choir,” she said. “That gives us the ability to perform pieces with many different parts, including piccolo, alto flute, bass flute, as well as melody and harmony parts for all the C flutes. It is a very rich, satisfying ensemble sound with a large range, not only the treble voice of the regular C flute.”
The smaller ensembles, a duet, two trios and a quartet, featured in the first part of the program. The pieces performed were selected in order to showcase the fast technique and variety of styles the flute is capable of.
To prepare for the recital, junior Emily Mountain said the choir begins by learning songs during syllabus week of the spring semester. Then, they practice every Friday as a group. “We also practice individually, and with members of our duets and trios,” she said. Mountain has been playing the flute for 12 years. “I realized how fun and gratifying it is learning new songs and techniques,” she said. Senior Marissa Harper said a lot of effort is put into rehearsing, but they have a good group that plays very well together. “It’s a great way to de-stress at the end of a long week,” she said.
Nelson said The Arioso Flute Choir is a class that meets for 50 minutes once a week. The entire concert is planned and rehearsed during the spring semester. “It speaks to the level of musicianship of the performers that they can put together a full program with such a small amount of rehearsal,” she said. “They are very dedicated and devote a great deal of time to individual practice, as well as meeting with their small ensembles outside of class.”
For more information on future musical concerts, contact the Department of Fine and Performing Arts at 717-361-1212.
