Ghost Icebreaker is a collaboration between flutist Helen Bledsoe (of Ensemble Musikfabrik based in Cologne) and St. Petersburg pianist Alexey Lapin. This album is remarkable in that it features both instruments in free improvisation. However, this is not jazz improvisation as many might expect. There are some surreal moments on this recording, which are partially …
On this recording, Noteworthy Duo (Lisa Schroeder, flute and Michael Anthony Nigro, guitar) present a handful of Latin American works. Of special interest is the José Luis Merlin work, Agua de Trapiche, which was commissioned by the pair. For this piece, Merlin took inspiration from a small town in Argentina where he has pleasant childhood …
Canadian jazz flutist Bill McBirnie has released a new album which is organized as an organ trio. The unmistakable sound of the Hammond B3 organ is combined with flute and drums to present a variety of jazz tunes. McBirnie, who is based in Toronto, has built a solid career as a jazz flutist. He has …
Martha Councell-Vargas, Assistant Professor of Flute at Western Michigan University, has assembled an album of charming Latin American music for flute. Most of these works combine European forms with Latin-inspired sounds. She was motivated by her first trip to Central America in 1996 and the charanga tradition made popular by the dance orchestras in Cuba. …
This recently-released CD by inspirational artist Viviana Guzman helps performers focus their internal dialogue in a positive, healthy way. This recording is helpful for musicians who are in the beginning stages of their development, professional performers, and everyone in between. It would be useful for those who have stage fright or those who just want …
Where to start when taking a look at a piece for the first time? Obviously there are as many approaches as there are musicians, and different pieces call for different attention. For an example, let’s take a look at the Duos for Flute and Clarinet by Robert Muczynski. (I’ll be performing this with my clarinetist …
St. Simons Island, 5 July 2017, 11:00pm
In the World Music class I teach at South Dakota State University, my students are required to write a research paper. The topic they have to explore is the country of Indonesia, and they have to look beyond the musical traditions. It’s a good opportunity for them to learn about a country they usually have …
As an undergrad, we used Rhythmic Training by Robert Starer in our theory classes. Honestly, I’m a little fuzzy on which theory classes used it (edited to add: after consulting the label on the back of my book, it was used in MUSI 1111, which corresponds to Aural Skills I at Kennesaw State University). I kept …
Jessica Dunnavant’s Tango in D Minor recorded at Performing Arts Center, South Dakota State University January 13, 2017 Dr. Carl Spaeth, soprano saxophone Dr. Tammy Evans Yonce, flute
