December 7, 2007

Flute duo, Windward, to perform free holiday concert at Shelton library

Experience the spirit of the season at an all-ages concert with silver flutes, wood flutes, glass flutes and even flutes made from clay. Olympia-based duo, Windward, will perform a variety of holiday music from around the globe on Sunday, December 16 at 3 p.m. at the Shelton Timberland Library (William G. Reed Library). Afterward, flutists Nancy Curtis and Marilyn First will answer questions. Listeners can get a closer look at the instruments and even try some of them out. Refreshments will be provided by the Friends of the William G. Reed Library.

The program will include over 25 pieces of music. Just as examples, Curtis and First will play a great variety of traditional Christmas carols and hymns from South America (“Villancico Guzqueno”), Europe (“Silent Night” and “Patapan”) and the Middle East (“Shepherds and the Star” from Syria) as well as the Appalachian Mountains of the U.S. (“I Wonder as I Wander”).

The classics are represented in selections from Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker,” Ralph Vaughan Williams’ “Fantasia on Greensleeves” and J.S. Bach’s “Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring.” Merry tunes that may inspire the audience to sing along will include standards such as “Up on the Housetop,” “Deck the Halls” and ”Jingle Bells.”

The term “flutes” covers a wide range of instruments. Windward plays several unusual flutes such as clay vessel flutes called ocarinas; glass panpipes and even flutes made of PVC pipe. At the concert they will play a variety of modern flutes: the piccolo, C-flute, silver flutes and alto and bass flutes. They will also play wooden flutes that have zero to seven keys. These are the predecessors of modern flutes but require different fingering systems.

Curtis and First have played as a duo for over 20 years. They have assembled trios and quartets of flutists as well as the Olympia Flute Choir. Recently they formed the Northwest Flute Consort; flutists from all over the region who gather for performances and outreach projects.

The Shelton Timberland Library is located at 710 W Alder Street, Shelton, 98584. For more information, please contact the library at (360) 426-1362.

Revised 12/07/07