Flute festival for all generations

One of the biggest events in Adelaide's history dedicated to flute music and education is coming to the University of Adelaide.

The Australian Flute Festival will be held at the University's Elder Conservatorium of Music from 3-5 October.

Featuring international guests from around the world as well as Australia, the event will combine performances with competitions, masterclasses, workshops and a junior program.

Among the performers converging on Adelaide for the event are French flutist Jean Ferrandis, New Zealand-based German flutist Uwe Grodd, and Tara Helen O'Connor from New York.

Australian flautists will feature prominently alongside their international peers, such as the Flute section from the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra and many others known for both their performance and their teaching in music.

"This event will be the biggest festival for flute in Adelaide for well over 20 years," said the Artistic Director of the Australian Flute Festival, Associate Professor of Flute, Head of Performance and Head of Woodwind at the University of Adelaide, Elizabeth Koch.

"The festival is aimed at catering to all aspects of flute performance and education. In addition to the concerts, we are running five competitions with more than $56,000 in prizes, a Professional Learning Day for music teachers, and many other events," Associate Professor Koch said.

"One of the most important aspects of this festival is our junior program, which encourages participation from young flute players aged 10-16 years. These represent the next generation of flute players.

"It's important for professional players and academics alike to help the younger players to develop and grow. The junior players will also take part in both the opening and closing concerts, which I'm sure will be a memorable experience for them."

Details of all the activities - including five public concerts - can be found at: www.australianflutefestival.com

Story by David Ellis