Wooden Flute Festival will go on

From: woodflutefest@aol dot com
Subject: Wood Flute Conference June 16-18 and Felix Skowronek
Date: April 19, 2006 3:22:32 PM PDT


It is with great sadness that we learn that our dear colleague, mentor and friend Felix Skowronek passed away quietly on Monday night. His son and a best friend were by his side, and he had received a stream of well wishes and visits from so many others during the past days.

The Wood Flute Conference 2006 has been a special dream of Felix's, one that he discussed with us through Monday, and one that we are excited to be bringing to fruition, partly now as a tribute to Felix and the incredible energy which he devoted to so many important aspects of the flutist's expressive palette and "resonance", meant both broadly and with regard to the flute's material. There may never have been a more ardent spokesman for wood and everything it means for the flute, as he demonstrated both inside the concert hall and out - through his scientific studies and work in the School of Forestry, his many wood-gathering expeditions in mountainous wilderness in this country and in Australia, his involvement with flute making, and his information-gathering excursions among the wood flute players of Europe. Felix was a pioneer through and through. It is gratifying that the wood flute scene has developed so in the last years, with his inspiration having played a central role.

Come join us in Seattle from June 16 to 18 even if you don't happen to have a wooden flute or headjoint, for all or part of the conference, and we'll endeavor to explore all aspects of the wooden Boehm-system flute in a way that cycles us through a broad range of music. The concert and discussion offerings will be diverse, and the tone celebratory.

Please register for the Wood Flute Conference 2006 at www.woodflutefest.com (or go to the School of Music home page at www.music.washington.edu/home/ and click on "2006 Wooden Flute Conference Information" on the right side under "Quick Links" ). I'll be writing again with further details. Do feel free to contact me directly by email with any questions or suggestions.

Hope to see you in June!

With best wishes,

Jeffrey Cohan

Updated: Click here for the conference registration/payment site.