Friday, December 2

Flute for Thought: How to successfully start your day customizing your warm up routines with Dr. Castillo  (bring your flutes!)

Good Practice is more about Quality than Quantity, so join Dr. Castillo on a nice warm up session focused on giving you tips on how to organize your practice sessions for more effective use of your time. Bring your flutes!

Flute Chamber Groups Coachings

Flutists interested in performing in flute chamber music groups (Flute Duos, Trios, Quartets or Quintets) will receive 2 coachings during our weekend to prepare for the Sunday Concert. If you are interested in joining a flute group, submit a video that showcases your playing by Nov. 5th (etudes, band music, solos are welcome). Music parts will be sent via email by November 19th.

Visit The Exhibits!

Exhibit hall will be open 10am-5pm on Saturday and 10am-1pm on Sunday. Take advantage of having wonderful flute companies selling instruments, flute music and accessories. Exhibitors include Muramatsu Flutes and Haynes Flutes. Other exhibitors will be advertised on our website and social media soon!

Yoga for flutists with Jill Bartine

In addition to playing Second Flute with the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra since 2000, Jill Bartine has been a long-time yoga practitioner and teacher. During this session, she will share simple movements and stretches that flutists can employ to help counteract the usual aches and pains that inevitably arise from long hours of practice.

Fundamentals of Phrasing and Expression with Devan Jacquez

In this presentation, Devan Jacquez, principal flute of the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra, will describe what phrases are and how to identify them in music, where expression comes from, and how to fit vibrato naturally into the sound to highlight the natural expressivity in music. 

We will look at musical examples, including some flute repertoire/excerpts, listen to some exceptional performances of singers and flutists, and also look at Marcel Moyse’s Little Melodic Studies and see how they can help us with exercising expressivity the same way we might exercise our technique. 

Masterclasses with Dr. Maria Castillo

4 students will be chosen from their registration submission (Due Nov. 5th)  to perform in both masterclasses. Middle School, High School and College students are encouraged to apply! 

Workshop: Research Tools for the Modern Flute Student by Nathalie Simper

Let’s face it, being a classical music student can be tricky. You’re passionate about an industry that seems to stay the same every century… at least, on the surface.

In this workshop, Nathalie Simper will share valuable tools to find support beyond your practice room, study living composers, and find modern music to help you expand your comfort zone and change what being a classical musician looks like for you and everyone around you! You will also learn how to find music by underrepresented composers to use for college auditions, competitions, and other performance opportunities.

VFF Flute Choir Rehearsal (Bring your Flute)

All participants are welcome to be a part of the VFF Flute Choir! We’ll have 2 rehearsals (Saturday 5 pm, and Sunday at 3 pm) during the weekend and will perform on Sunday afternoon. Bring your Flute, and don’t miss this great opportunity to make music with members of this wonderful community! 

Guest Artist Recital by Amy Porter (flute) and Dr. Kevin Class (piano) 

Join renowned flutist Amy Porter and Collaborator Kevin Class as they share a wonderful and inspiring program!

Sunday, December 3

The Last Sprint:  Mock Audition with Comments and Feedback for flutists participating in the January 13th, 2024 ETSBOA  auditions.

By early December most students participating in the ETSBOA auditions are a few weeks away from it. This is the perfect moment in their preparation plan to schedule a mock audition! So we are offering all students who sign up the chance to perform privately for a judge and receive feedback that will guide their final preparation for a successful ETSBOA Adution.

Masterclasses with Amy Porter 

4 students will be chosen from their registration submission (due Nov. 5th) to perform in both masterclasses. Middle School, High School and College students are encouraged to apply! 

Become a Volunteer: Joining the University of Tennessee School of Music

If you want to learn more about the University of Tennessee Knoxville College of Music and might be considering becoming a Volunteer, this event is for you!  Join Dr. Castillo along with Dr. John Zastoupil (Director of Bands and Wind Studies), Dr. Mike Stewart (Director of the Pride of the Southland Marching Band), and Dr. Sara Carroll (Director of Admissions and Student Success), as they share what it means to be a member of our school. Parents are welcome and encouraged to attend and participate in our Q&A session.

UTK Flute Studio Presentations/recital

Join members of the UTK Flute Studio as they share performances of important works of the flute repertoire.

VFF Flute Choir Rehearsal (Bring your Flute)

All participants are welcome to be a part of the VFF Flute Choir! We’ll have 2 rehearsals (Saturday 5pm, and Sunday at 3pm) during the weekend and will perform on Sunday afternoon. Bring your Flute and don’t miss this great opportunity to make music with members of this wonderful community! 

Recital by Dr. Maria Castillo and Friends

Join Dr. Maria Castillo as she shares a beautiful recital of chamber music works

Community Flute Choirs & UTK Flute Choir Performances

Join us in this concert of East Tennessee Community Flute Choirs and the UTK Flute Choir. 

If you are part of a community flute choir, don’t hesitate to sign up to perform by contacting Dr. Maria Castillo by November 5th (mcastil7@utk.edu)

Closing Ceremony with performances by VFF Chamber groups and Flute Choir

Our closing ceremony will include the performances of all VFF Flute Chamber Music groups and the VFF Flute Choir. Make sure to be there and invite family and friends!