FluteFling Scottish Flute Weekends take place in Edinburgh and Aberdeen and feature inspirational traditional flute and whistle workshops, guest musicians, performances and sessions.
Previous guests and tutors have included Cathal McConnell, Orlaith McAuliffe, Dougie Pincock, Tom Oakes, Elizabeth Ford, Martin Morroni, Davy Maguire, Claire Mann, Niall Kenny, Rebecca Knorr and Munro Gauld, alongside regular tutors Sharon Creasey, Kenny Hadden and Gordon Turnbull.
Open to people playing Boehm system, wooden keyed or unkeyed flutes and whistles and low whistles in D, the weekends have become an important part of the year for many and we look forward to welcoming returning friends and meeting new ones.
COVID-19 Update: Due to the ongoing pandemic, in-person classes and workshops are currently suspended. The organisers continue to explore other options, including online events.
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Flute players at the very first FluteFling Scottish Flute Day in 2014 (c) Ros Gasson
History
What began as a single day has since morphed into a memorable weekend mini festival. Take a look at previous years’ events here:
- FluteFling Online with Tom Oakes April 2021
- FluteFling Online with Claire Mann December 2020
- 7th FluteFling Edinburgh Weekend 2020 – postponed due to Covid-19
- 6th Scottish Flute Weekend 2019
- 2nd FluteFling Aberdeen Weekend 2018
- 5th Scottish Flute Weekend 2018
- 1st FluteFling Aberdeen Weekend 2017
- 4th Scottish Flute Weekend 2017
- 3rd Scottish Flute Day 2016
- 2nd Scottish Flute Day 2015
- 1st Scottish Flute Day 2014
- FluteFling pilot workshop 2012
The workshops take inspiration from the Boxwood Scottish Flute School that took place in Aberdeen in 2001 and from the Cruinniú na bhFliúit -The Flute Meeting that takes place in Ireland every year.
After a successful pilot half day workshop in 2012 run by Gordon Turnbull as part of the Ceilidh Culture festival (later renamed Tradfest Edinburgh), a full day with tutors Sharon Creasey, Kenny Hadden and Gordon and almost 30 students ran in May 2014. A full workshop day with sessions and performances over the weekend followed in 2015 and 2016. In 2017 the Edinburgh weekend event was followed by one in Aberdeen in November. Whistles and low whistles were included from 2018. The first online event with Claire Mann took place over two weekends in December 2020.
With growing interest and support, this is set to continue as the Scottish flute scene blooms.
Photo: (c) Ros Gasson.