Tag Archives: flute

FluteFling 3rd Scottish Flute Day: Tom Oakes joins tutors

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Tom OakesI am delighted to confirm that Tom Oakes will join Sharon Creasey and Kenny Hadden as a tutor at this year’s FluteFling Scottish Flute Day on Saturday 7th May.

Tom is currently principle Flute and DADGAD guitar teacher at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and plays with his own trio ‘The Tom Oakes Experiment’ as well as the much in demand duo ‘Ross Couper and Tom Oakes’ The latter gained a Scots trad award nomination in 2011 and have performed sell out tours of the UK, Norway, Denmark and Australia.

Tom is a dynamic and accomplished flute player, performer and composer based in Edinburgh. He performs in many settings and genres and brings nimble keywork and a rich tone to his music.

More about Tom and links to his music and videos at his website: http://www.tomoakesmusic.co.uk/

This is the third annual event, following on from the successes of previous years. Look out for more information as details of the day and related events become firmed up.

Photo: (c) Tom Oakes

January update

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Winter starFluteFling weekly classes are taking a break still due to family circumstances. I am still interested in trying some one-off workshops locally at some point, but cannot say when they will be.

The third Scottish Flute Day will return in May is not affected. If you haven’t already done so, please sign up for the newsletter to be sure of not missing any announcements relating to that event or any others.

In the meantime, thank you for the good wishes and support and I hope to be out again making music with you all once more before too long.

Photo: Winter star (c) Gordon Turnbull

FluteFling Scottish flute day 2016

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FluteFling-Kenny-HaddenPlans are under way for the 3rd annual FluteFling Scottish Flute Day, following on from previous successes.

Update: Saturday 7th May is confirmed, at the same venue as last year, The Old Parish Church Halls, Bellfield Street, Portobello.

We’re very early in the planning stages but hope to make it part of Tradfest once again. The day is likely to follow the familiar format of multiple tutors with a chance to work with them all. More information will appear on the new dedicated page that will be updated as information becomes available.

Photo of Kenny Hadden teaching (c) Ros Gasson

Autumn term update

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FluteFling classes are taking a break this term, but will aim to be back in the New Year.

In the mean time there is always the archive to explore or revisit and I am exploring other flute and whistle playing opportunities for the group. Please check back for any updates, sign up to the newsletter or drop me an email.

Photo: David Begg (flute) playing in Sandy Bell’s Monday night session, Edinburgh (c) Gordon Turnbull

The Johnstown Reel: an Edinburgh flute tune

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A focus this term has been modern tunes by Edinburgh flute and whistle players. The Johnstown Reel is a fine slow reel by Rebecca Knorr and is often played in Edinburgh sessions.

Rebecca is an exceptional flute player and teacher, with a great line in pipe tunes. She created the traditional flute degree course for the Royal Conservertoire of Scotland in Glasgow and plays regularly with Islander Ceilidh Band.

The tune is named after Rebecca’s grandmother’s home town in Pennyslvania and in E Dorian and Bm, making for two unusual and contrasting wistful parts. This has been recorded by Rebecca with guitarist Tony McManus and with her band Calluna, while The Tannahill Weavers also recorded the tune. Here she is with Tony McManus, who she played alongside with fiddler Tim O’Leary in the 1990s:

There’s a little bit of discussion on The Session, with a good version uploaded by Kenny Hadden. I’ve recorded a slightly different version for the class that can be found on the Resources page.