Resources

This is a curated selection of flute-related resources.

Please explore the categories below for recommended flutemakers, flute associations, professional and youth ensembles, and more.

Altus Flutes

“Inspiration and Innovation: For almost 30 years, Altus has hand-crafted flutes that embody the ideals of vintage inspiration and modern technology. Created by Master Flute Maker Shuichi Tanaka, each Altus flute reflects his passion to combine the finest playing flutes with the finest materials and artistry. The meticulous design of the Altus flute and its acclaimed Altus/Bennet scales offers excellent intonation, carefully tuned harmonics and balanced registers. The masterfully hand-sculpted headjoints and precision tubings produce the remarkable sound of the Altus flute.”

altusflutes.com

Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp

Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp is a summer school of the arts located on a 1,400 acre campus in Michigan’s Manistee National Forest, offers fine arts education for all ages. Each summer, the principal camp program serves more than 5,400 gifted elementary, junior high, and high school students with diverse programs in music, art, dance, and drama while offering more than 175 performances during its Summer Arts Festival. Blue Lake also operates a widely acclaimed International Exchange Program and two public radio stations. Since its inception in 1966, Blue Lake has provided cultural enrichment to more than 300,000 gifted students and countless concert-goers.

bluelake.org

Brannen Brothers Flutemakers

“Since Brannen Brothers was founded in 1978, we have earned a worldwide reputation for unsurpassed excellence. There is no doubt about our place in the market; discerning flutists have placed us squarely at the top. Throughout the flute community, we are known as the company that leads the way in innovation and standard setting. Every flute and headjoint bearing the Brannen Brothers name is handmade to exacting standards of craftsmanship, and every one displays the most advanced mechanical design and acoustic technology available in the world today.”

brannenflutes.com

Dearborn Symphony

The Dearborn Symphony plays a key position in the cultural life of Dearborn and surrounding communities in southeast Michigan. It is highly esteemed by its members, musicians and community. Founded in 1961 by musicians and music educators to provide a community orchestra for Dearborn, the Dearborn Symphony continues to be one of the region’s strongest and most talented community symphony orchestras. Music Director and Conductor Kypros Markou, is a compelling leader who has achieved an excellent rapport with both the talented musicians and growing audiences. Behind the scenes, its 24-member Board of Directors and its loyal group of corporate supporters, service organizations, community leaders, and donors are what enable Dearborn and area residents to continue enjoying its outstanding concert series.

dearbornsymphony.org

Dearborn Youth Symphony

Over 200 DYS musicians participate in a full Symphony Orchestra, full Concert Orchestra, Advanced Flute Choir, Intermediate Flute Choir, and String Orchestra.

The mission of the Dearborn Youth Symphony is to foster instrumental music and ensemble experience in young performers. DYS has since become an integral step to greater musical achievement for many youth musicians in the Metropolitan Detroit area. By complementing the musical efforts of school programs and private instructors, the DYS builds more opportunities and greater appreciation for instrumental music in the community.

The DYS strives to accomplish the following:

  • Offer classical music performance opportunities to young musicians;
  • Learn and develop abilities under the direction of professional musicians;
  • Create a social environment that fosters a lifelong enjoyment and appreciation of the arts;
  • Provide ensemble experience that complements the training within the school systems, private lessons, and community musical organizations;
  • Build audiences for classical music and serve as a cultural resource for the region.

Through the sponsorship of the City of Dearborn Recreation and Parks Department, parental volunteers and gifted conductors, the DYS continues to nurture and challenge young musicians.

dearbornyouthsymphony.org

Detroit Symphony Orchestra

The Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO) is an American orchestra based in Detroit, Michigan. Its main performance center is Orchestra Hall at the Max M. Fisher Music Center in Detroit’s Midtown neighborhood. The DSO is one of the most accessible orchestra on the planet: from becoming the first orchestra ever heard on the radio to presenting today’s free Live from Orchestra Hall webcasts, the community-supported Detroit Symphony Orchestra continues to be one of the nation’s longest-lasting and forward-thinking ensembles.

dso.org

Eastern Michigan University Flute Studio

The Flute Studio at Eastern Michigan University (EMU) is home to the EMU Emerald Flutes. They are winner of the National Flute Association 2014 Flute Choir Competition. The Eastern Michigan University Emerald Flutes is an organization of flutists that exists to serve musicians at Eastern Michigan University. Created as a place for flute students to perform and study together, EMU Emerald Flutes hopes to bring the love of music, the joy of performing in an advanced ensemble, and the opportunity to perform at national events to all flute players on Eastern Michigan University’s Campus.

emich.edu
emuflutestudio.blogspot.com

Flute Specialists, Inc.

Flute Specialists, Inc. is a leading Flute sales and service company serving international flutists and their families. They provide free, objective consultations for instrument purchases or repairs. This level of service and sensitivity results in Flute Specialists, Inc. being one of the most highly-regarded flute and piccolo sales and repair companies in the nation. They hold that all flutists, whether professional musicians, educators, amateurs or intermediate or beginning level players, deserve the services of a highly skilled and experienced repair facility for all repairs from minor adjustments to complete overhauls. A properly maintained and repaired flute is a more enjoyable instrument to play as well as a protected investment. They believe in helping you find the right instrument for your performance needs or helping you get the most out of the instrument you now own.

Location
Flute Specialists
606 Rochester Rd S
Clawson, MI 48017

flutespecialists.com

Flute World

America’s flute specialty house since 1983.

Flute World has proudly been serving flutists since 1983, offering one of the largest varieties of top quality professional and student flutes. They stock many different top brands and models of flutes, piccolos, alto flutes and bass flutes, from beginner to professional needs.

Models they carry include: Altus, Amadeus, Azumi, Brannen, Brio!, Bulgheroni, Burkart, Dean Yang, diMedici, Di Zhao, Gemeinhardt, Hammig, Haynes, Jupiter, Muramatsu, Nagahara North Bridge, Pearl, Powell, Powell Sonare, Resona, Sankyo, Roy Seaman, Trevor James, and Yamaha.

Location
Flute World Co.
29920 Orchard Lake Road
Farmington Hills, MI 48334

fluteworld.com

Interlochen Center for the Arts

Interlochen Center for the Arts was founded in 1928 and is located in beautiful northwest lower Michigan. Each year, thousands of artists and arts patrons come to Interlochen to experience world-class educational and cultural opportunities. Students study music, theatre, visual arts, film, creative writing and dance, guided by an outstanding faculty and guest artists, and inspired by the scenic beauty of the campus. Interlochen offers arts education programs for students in grades 3-12 and adults of all ages and hosts hundreds of concerts and events and is home to two award-winning public radio stations.

interlochen.org

Melmer Flute Centre

Quality Repair Work. Specializing in Muramatsu Flute Repairs. Instruments for Sale: New and Used.

A small well-established repair shop located in the greater Detroit area. The shop was founded by two experienced technicians and flutists, Melanie Suveges and Elmer Suveges. Melmer Flute Centre’s forte is professional level flute repair and also service piccolos.

Location
24348 Loretta
Warren, MI 48091
586.754.5755

melmer.com

Michigan Flute Orchestra

The Michigan Flute Orchestra (MFO) is an ensemble of dedicated and accomplished flutists from the southeastern Michigan area.

The instrumentation of the orchestra comprises the entire spectrum of the flute family: bass flute, alto flute, the conventional C flute, and piccolo. This unique orchestra performs a varied repertoire of music which displays the tonal richness and cohesiveness of the flute family.

The Michigan Flute Orchestra has been invited to perform in various concert series throughout the state of Michigan including the Midland Center of the Arts and Orchestra Hall. The MFO aspires to bring this new dimension of ensemble performance to the community and to allow the artists involved to explore their creative endeavors.

Diverse compositions are featured, which include Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Contemporary and popular arrangements.

michiganfluteorch.wix.com/flute
facebook.com/michiganfluteorchestra/

Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association (MSBOA)

The MSBOA strives to provide each student intellectual and creative instrumental music experiences expressed through emotional and artistic communication, and to advance quality music education through the study and performance of instrumental music through the types of festivals they sponsor.

msboa.org

MPulse Summer Performing Arts Institutes

The University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance is excited offer MPulse summer sessions for high school students. MPulse Summer Performing Arts Institutes on the Ann Arbor campus, inspire high school students to exciting new levels of excellence in music performance, music technology, musical theatre, theatre, and dance. Sessions are designed for students who are considering studying these areas in college. Participants work with distinguished University of Michigan faculty and alumni while experiencing campus life in Ann Arbor. During the MPulse sessions, students have the opportunity to meet with admissions counselors in an information meeting devoted to the application and audition process and to tour the campus.

music.umich.edu/special_programs/youth/mpulse/

OnMusic Dictionary

Created by Connect For Education, Inc., OnMusic Dictionary is used in over 1500 colleges and universities in the USA. The site includes a searchable database of music terms, instruments, composers, a detailed symbol chart, and a series of appendices that provide a more in-depth look at different areas of music. Entries include pronunciation guide, audio file, definition, examples, and related terms. They also feature a “Word of the Day.”

dictionary.onmusic.org

Save Our Symphony (SOS)

The mission of Save Our Symphony is to promote and support the world-class artistic excellence and stature of the Symphony Orchestra, and to ensure its preservation in our community for future generations.

Save Our Symphony is made up of orchestra patrons, donors, subscribers, business owners and community members. Passionate about keeping great orchestras a thriving and vital part of the fabric of our communities, they are people who love great music and also recognize the economic value that a world class orchestra brings to its region. They believe so strongly in protecting and preserving the essential character and traditions of American orchestras that they formed this grass roots organization.

Find your local Save Our Symphony chapter:
saveoursymphony.info

Southeast Michigan Flute Association (SEMFA)

Mission: To promote the advancement and appreciation of the flute and flute playing throughout Southeast Michigan.

“The Southeast Michigan Flute Association (SEMFA) is a non-profit flute organization in Southeast Michigan. Established in 2002, we serve as a platform for students, amateurs, professionals, teachers, and lovers of the flute to connect. From the Detroit Symphony Orchestra flute section, the major university and college professors, to the number of regional orchestral flutists and the talented students of all ages: we arrange, coordinate and involve our members in a number of concerts, recitals, annual festival and masterclasses.”

 


 

SEMFA Flute Choirs

For enthusiastic high school, college, adult, amateur, and professional flutists!

The Southeast Michigan Flute Association Flute Ensemble for enthusiastic high school, college, adult, amateur, and professional flutists. Performance opportunities include a performance at SEMFA’s Annual Festival each year as well as other appearances throughout Southeast Michigan. New members accepted on a rolling basis. Contact Gail Green if you are interested in joining.

The Southeast Michigan Flute Association Jazz Flute Ensemble is a great opportunity for wind doublers to work on their flute chops and be a part of the first jazz flute ensemble in Michigan. Great for those who wish to learn more about and perform jazz. Contact Cathy Feldman-Duncan if you are interested in joining.

 

semfa.org

Suzuki Association of the Americas (SAA)

The Suzuki Association of the Americas aspires to improve the quality of life in the Americas through Suzuki education. They are a coalition of teachers, parents, educators, and others who are interested in making music education available to all children. The SAA provides programs and services to members throughout North and South America including Teacher Development Programs, Teacher Scholarships, Teacher Location Services, Suzuki Job Listings, Conferences & Retreats, and more.

suzukiassociation.org

The National Flute Association

The National Flute Association, founded in 1972, is the largest flute organization in the world. Approximately 5,000 members from more than 50 countries join together in person, online, at conventions, informally and in forums, through publications and classrooms, in performance, in friendship and collegiality. Guided by its goals to encourage a higher standard of artistic excellence for the flute, its performers, and its literature, members include leading soloists, orchestral players, jazz and world music performers, teachers, adult amateurs, and students of all ages.”

Mission

Inspiring Flutists, Enriching Lives

Vision

The National Flute Association will be known as a premier resource worldwide, valued by its members and relevant to all interested in music and the flute.

NFA Core Values

As a premier organization for the flute, the NFA:

  • Honors, values, and respects the contributions of all members equally.
  • Promotes collegiality and embodies integrity.
  • Draws strength from our diversity and provides meaningful experiences to all members.
  • Promotes flute performance, pedagogy, and development by providing a forum for the exchange of ideas.
  • Enriches the repertoire for the flute through commissioning, special publications, and related activities. Inspires and cultivates personal, professional, and artistic excellence.

Key Milestones

  • 43 conventions and counting
  • NFA Music Library—the largest lending library of flute music in the world, where NFA members have access to a collection of more than 15,000 works
  • Cultural outreach scholarships in 15 cities
  • Extensive music commissioning activities, including new works annually for the Young Artist and High School Soloist competitions and biennially for the Piccolo Artist competition
  • Liaison with more than 200 U.S. flute clubs

Publications

The Flutist Quarterly magazine; The Flutist’s Handbook: A Pedagogy AnthologyKincaidianaMy Complete Story of the Flute: the Instrument, the Performer, the Music, by Leonardo de DeLorenzo; The Oxford Anthology of American Music; two guidebooks of selected flute repertoire (A Graded Guide for Teachers and A Graded Guide of Etudes, Daily Studies, and Method Books), and five CDs in the NFA’s Historical Series (William Kincaid, Joseph Mariano, Robert Willoughby,  Maurice Sharp, and Frances Blaisdell)

Visit their website for information about membership, flute events, masterclasses, clubs, and articles.

nfaonline.org

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University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance

The University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance educates the artists, scholars, educators and entrepreneurs of the future. Students are prepared with expert skills, instilled with passionate enthusiasm, and emboldened to challenge and inspire the world through the power of the performing arts.

music.umich.edu

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Verne Q. Powell Flutes

Verne Q. Powell Flutes was founded in 1927 by Verne Powell to provide professional flutists with custom made precious metal flutes. The first 10 flutes made by Mr. Powell were owned by some of the most famous American flutists of the time, including William Kincaid, Arthur Lora and John Wummer. Their flute makers continue a tradition of craftsmanship and a devotion to making the highest quality instruments. They employ a strategic combination of hand crafting, technology and a little bit of magic to create instruments which free the flutist to explore their musicality.

powellflutes.com