Flute choirs are a great addition to a studio and a whole other dimension of learning for your students. Try to create some groups of flutists to play together. All students should take part in an ensemble.
Put the choirs together with students of about the same level. You will need to decide who plays first, second etc. Be sensitive to those who want a chance to play first or piccolo, alto or bass parts. Some students do not want to be in the spotlight and are always happy on third or fourth flute. If there is one student who does not yet have the technical ability to play even the simplest part, write one out so they can participate at a comfortable level and be successful in performances. I usually divide students into three choirs: One choir for beginning students, one for high school and advanced junior high and one for adults. There is so much music available you will have fun searching the every increasing number of pieces to purchase or download.
What is learned by playing in a flute choir?
- intonation with same and different timbres like the alto and bass flutes
- playing “together” – strict counting and execution of ornaments
- playing your own part maybe with three or four other parts going on
- to be able to continue playing when someone else makes a mistake
- to be able to get back on when your get off in a larger ensemble
- matching articulations
- adjusting dynamics
- agreeing on musical innuendos
- new repertoire – fun music in multiple parts
- meeting other local flutists
- group performance
What is learned by playing in a small ensemble?
Hopefully flute ensembles will be easy to put together. Duets, trios and quartets will allow a more intimate experience with pitch and musicality with other student flutists than when in a flute choir. A contest or recital would be a great goal. Just have them play one or two pieces on the studio recital. The audience will love the addition to the solo repertoire.
If you are lucky enough to be teaching in a community music school, or have contacts with other private teachers in the area, take advantage of students in other instrumental studios and form small ensembles for recitals. Students will learn to play with instruments that sound different, to play in tune with different timbres, that strings don’t breath, and that dynamics will need adjustment when working with instruments other that the flute. It will be a real treat in their learning experience to play music written for a particular group of instruments i.e. woodwind trio, or woodwind quintet.