Book Reviews

Fall Book Review

I wanted to share two discoveries with folks who are interested in the history of the flute and sharing that story with others. I am always looking for materials to assist me in occasional school visits that I do – visits with hopes of sharing the flute with others. A great flute maker by the name of Barry Higgins had these resources listed on his web site and taking that “referral” of sorts I ordered them through my local bookseller.

The first is Love Flute by Paul Goble (Aladdin paperbacks, copyright 1992) This award winning book is written for a child of 5-8 years to enjoy but I feel that it is for everyone to enjoy. Paul Goble has done a good job of re-telling the story of how the flute came to the Santee Dakota people of the Great Plains. While this is not the definitive tale of the courting flute it is one told with good intention and tells of the Elk and the woodpeckers role in helping the young hunter to find his voice and express himself to his true love upon returning to the village.

The author has also provided very rich and skillful illustrations for every page of the book. The illustrations include sixteen different Native American flutes. I think that it is a very fun read and the adults at flute circle have enjoyed browsing the book as much as children will love a good tale well told. Support your independent bookseller and check it out.

The second book is The Flute Player by Michael Lacapa (Rising Moon Books, copyright 1990) The book re-tells the Apache story of the flute player as a young man seeking to court the young woman he loves. The author suggests that he is recounting the tale as it was told to him in his youth. I like this story in how different it is from the others I have heard and read. No animal totems and no happy ending for the couple are in the recounting. Yet the courting ritual and the eternal feeling of the flute and the powerful messages it can convey are all in this story. Again the author has provided the illustrations and they are inspiring and beautiful. Kids and Big Kids have enjoyed this one as well and both books have a great perspective on the history of the instrument.

Fall Events Upcoming

Cool evenings and warm days are the hallmark of fall here in West Virginia. I hope your weather is as good where-ever you may be. This coming weekend is the first annual Oklahoma Flute Festival and they expect a huge turnout from what I hear. Visit their website at http://www.okflutefest.com for details and to plan your trip.

The Silverhawk gathering takes place in October also. Gathering is at Withlacoochee River Park, October 13-14, 2007. This is in Dade City, FL. Contact number for the event is 813-754-8990

Leonard McGann is still accepting registration for the Flute Fall In (near Roanoke, VA) October 18 – 21. The cost for the four day Flute Fall In is $185 per person and includes bed and all meals. Leonard’s e-mail is CaveRatLC@aol.com Phone 540-297-6077

Flute Fall In

The weather is beginning to cool here and poplar leaves are starting to show off their yellows. Color will peak here just in time for our next flute circle meeting I am guessing. Other news...

Leonard McGann is the maker of Lone Crow Flutes and a great fellow. He hosts an annual regional flute gathering that is well attended by flute circles from around the country (New England to Georgia.) Several flute makers in addition to Leonard will also be attending & showcasing their work. You never know who will show up, my first year Clint Goss decided to do a play-shop that generated a ton of great music for the week.

I am glad to report that I will be returning to Flute Fall In again this year (and have carpool space available from Elkins.) For the small investment you make you'll get a great deal more back and I highly recommend this gathering.

FLUTE FALL-IN 2007 will be October 18 – 21
The cost for the four day Flute Fall in is $185 per person and includes bed and all meals. Leonard states that "On Friday, there will be a get together and dinner held on Leonard and Kitty's property and Saturday we will be giving a concert at Dixie Caverns. Other than that, the time is open for sharing, fluting and enjoying the magic brought to us all by this marvelous instrument. Leonard’s e-mail is CaveRatLC@aol.com Phone 540-297-6077"

He makes it sound pretty simple but the time spent jamming, hiking, caving and sharing with folks in this gathering just two Octobers ago is what launched me into my flute frenzy and finding so many great friends on the flute trail.

Incentives

This month our meeting will have several highlights.

The Randolph County Community Arts Center will feature The Sixth Annual Gala Juried Exhibition including fifty, two and three-dimensional works by thirty West Virginia artists. This will be hung in the Great Hall and makes its debut with a First Class gathering on Friday night. Very nice event that I encourage you to attend. See RCCAC link on the right toolbar here.

The Circle has also been sent gifts from Robert Windpony at Grand Canyon Flutes. His music is from the heart and is performed on a number of flutes including those he has built. This month at the meeting we will have a drawing for the MoonRider CD, Robert's latests release. We'll see what folks think of his music and we send thanks for his generosity. You can see a large selection of NAF style flutes for sale at Grand Canyon Flutes website www.gcflutes.com

We hope to see several new flute designs as well. Paul has been working on a new SAC on his flutes and Allen has been working on a movable cutting/splitting edge. Gentlemen, bring those new flutes over please!

We will meet this Saturday - the Second Saturday in September (Sept 8) from 1-3pm at RCCAC. Hope to see you there.