TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV)– Local flute fanatics were in for a treat at the Landini Center for Performing and Fine Arts Saturday, as the Indiana State Flute Festival made its return for the first time in nearly four years.
Dr. Angela Reynolds, a professor at ISU, put on the event, which included exhibitors from Michigan, two recitals and more. She said the event was great for people who had a passion for the instrument.
“We’re flute nerds, and we get to be flute nerds. We get to do all of the fun music things, be around like-minded people, and we just enjoy learning about music, flutes, and inspiring each other to keep learning about other things,” she said.
It was the first event since 2019 due to the pandemic. Reynolds invited a special guest, Dr. Hannah Leffler, who teaches at the University of Texas in Austin. The two attended graduate school together– and Leffler said she enjoyed the opportunity to work alongside her former classmate.
“It’s really fun to play together again, collaborate again, but on the other side of it, now that we’re both professors rather than students,” she said.
The festival also included “feedback events” for local students ahead of regional competitions next weekend– an important factor in the timing of the event, according to Reynolds.
“Our goal here was to give everyone a chance to sort of get the jitters out, and I love providing resources like that to students, especially the high school students around here who need that outlet,” she said. “They may not take lessons, and that might be their only chance to do that other than with their band director.”
Leffler said the opportunity was also beneficial for her as an educator– and a musician.
“It’s fun, and it’s a challenge to have to put things I’ve done for so many years in so many different contexts, and help someone understand them differently than I understand them,” she said. “It also makes me a better player because I’m constantly reanalyzing how I am doing this thing that I’ve been doing for so long.”
Reynolds said next week she plans to travel to Austin to do a similar event with Leffler at her school. She said she hopes to keep expanding the event in future years.
“My goal is to provide as much opportunity as I can for all of the people in the area,” Reynolds said. “Whether that’s to come hear a concert, whether that’s to get feedback on their solo for next week, or just to come try out some cool flutes.”
