The McKenna MasterClass & Concert Series
Call For Participants...

      I am a flutemaker by trade—exhibiting at the NFA convention for almost 20 years. I am developing a comprehensive MasterClass series that includes traditional as well as innovative flute concepts. In this project I expect to bring in paid performers to fill major venues for a paying public; in other events there will be a looser format with large collaborative groups.

      The scope is broad but presents a coherent, unified concept. It is woven around the community of flute players, played out in a voice that is the flute.

      Whether the baroque or the Kingma—the flute is a unifying theme. It has a voice, a song. The idea is to suppose we did not know what a flute should be, how many divisions would it have per octave (5, 12, 24?). What key would it be in, what bore, treble or bass? Would it sound like a sine wave, a fife, a ney? If we didn't know what a career for a flutist looked like, what could we be? Traditional roles include vying for a chair in a major symphony; a fall-back is often ballet, opera, pops, or community orchestras—or to have a solo career modeled after current flute trends. Everyone is to have completed a certain pedagogy: T&G, Moyse, Anderson, Etudes, excerpts, etc. It is not a given that they should be improvisers, experimental, visionary, able to touch people deeply, or even original.

      In our PRESS RELEASE on this series I outline ideas that have struck a chord with many recipients. One major composer might find the flute quartet idea stunning; frustrated symphony players may be intrigued by the idea of large quasi improvisational groupings, and some great soloists thrilled at the idea of making the flute as exciting and moving of a rock instrument as the guitar. Everyone is a product of the approach they have chosen or have given in to. Some people have let the career they had imagined for themselves give way to the hidden opportunity. Flutists have so many physical problems like arm, hand, neck, jaw, and back ailments. Some have found it is the confluence between two disparate elements of their lives, healing professions and flute playing, that come together and make it possible to really help. We don't know how broad our options can be—and the stories of those who have made their own paths are not known to many.

      The proposal in the WHO, WHAT, WHEN sections details a series of master classes and concerts centered around the flute, ending in a huge show. The Cirque de Soleil and Blue Man performances are shorthand way of drawing up a mental image of the scope, production, and entertainment exuberance of such an event. Of course it's just a shorthand—we don't want to imitate. We think that a flute concert can be that inspiring and wonderful.

      In the INSTRUMENTS section there are ideas for existing and experimental flutes and instruments. There is something that can benefit a flutist by being exposed to Gasparyan and his Duduk. Like hearing a new sound more than a new music. There are also many fine flutemakers working with sound and flutes in new ways—and this can be a showcase for their work.

      Under GROUPINGS is a list of my ideas for viable careers as serious flutists. Others have apparently been thinking too. Ideas in this area can help to make new careers and repertoire.

      The MASTER CLASSES section is split in two: Alpha is technical or brain-based and Beta is emotional or heart-centered. People will find different aspects of these various master classes more interesting than others, depending on how they fit with the approaches and career directions.

      Most people will find one aspect most suitable for them. It is not expected you would want to be involved in everything, but I would hope you like the overarching concept here and not find its disparate elements irksome. As you will see, there is a wide range of projects. I hope this tickles your fancy. If you have any ideas, please offer them.

      If you do want to be a part of this I would very much appreciate you sending me your ideas for a MasterClass, Workshop, or concert revolving around the flute.

      I hope this has made clear my intent. I look forward to working with you on this project.

      Best Regards,

      Chris McKenna,
      President
      McKenna Flutes, Inc.