Monthly Archives: April 2009

Abbotsholme from Stephen

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Posted by Liz Goodwin on April 11, 2009 – 4:27 pm
Filed under Stephen's posts
Ethiopian Rounders

Ethiopian Rounders

Hi everyone.

I hope you are all having a relaxing Easter hols!  Two people that I know for sure are not relaxing are Liz and Andy.  That’s right – our Flutewise King and Queen are working flat out to get everything ready for the HUGE event at the Barbican.  So since I am such a lovely guy, I thought I would give Liz a wee rest from blogging and tell you all about Abbotsholme. This residential course is always my favourite to take part in. It’s just such a great venue! Abbotsholme school is a very posh boarding school in Staffordshire (very near to Alton Towers) with great facilities, a fantastic chapel (with a Steinway grand piano) to use for all the playing and concerts and amazing food!!!

There were about 25 young players from all over staying from Saturday until Tuesday along with the staff who were Liz, Andy, Gareth, Abbie, Chris, our special visitor Richard Douglas (from Northern Ireland) and me.  It was a really jam packed few days with all kinds of fluting activities.  We had loads of flute choir with some really good, new repertoire, a fantastic student concert, a staff concert entitled, “The Wrong Concert” (this was a brilliant invention of Abbie’s).  Maybe someone who witnessed it can tell us all about it by leaving a comment here????  Oh and wait till you see Abbie’s new flute!!!!! which she is unveiling at the Barbican on May 3rd.  Unbelievable!) and loads of usual games and fun including “Ethiopian Rounders”.  On Saturday, we had an amazing visit by Ian Clarke.  Ian is a legend……what more can I say.  You must come and see him at Flutewise Live!

It really was an amazing few days.  If you where there you must leave a comment.  MUST MUST MUST!!!!  Liz is far too soft on you all when it comes to comments so I am adopting a different approach. You absolutely must leave me a comment here.  End of.  Or I will be so very, completely sad and upset.

Abbie and Stephen have new flutes

Abbie and Stephen have new flutes

Following Abbotsholme, I have had a very “interesting” few days involving some bizarre flute activities which I am sure I will tell you about in time. Oh and also I finally collected my new flute.  I am sure I will tell you more about that later too.

Also have you all visited the Flutewise Live! website?  You must because Andy “genius webmaster extraordinaire” Goodwin has made a discussion forum!!  Whoooooo!!!!  Check it out.

Hope you all have a great holiday!

Love,
Stephen.

P.S.  See you at the Barbican on May the 3rd for Futewise Live!  You absolutely must be there or else!  No excuses!

Thank you!

2
Posted by Liz Goodwin on April 10, 2009 – 6:47 pm
Filed under Liz's Blog
My present from Matthew

My present from Matthew

I’m very lucky. I received this lovely present from Matthew when we were at Abbotsholme. Thanks Matthew. Doesn’t it look yummy? Now I’ve told you about it, I’m off to eat it, just like I did the lovely eggs Robbie gave me from his hens when we were at Sevenoaks.

Abbotsholme was great and Stephen has promised to blog about it as soon as he can bare to put his beautiful new flute down. Lucy Stephen!

Catching up 2

Comments Off
Posted by Liz Goodwin on April 10, 2009 – 6:38 pm
Filed under Liz's Blog

After my trip to the North East, I was back to collect the new magazine and then we were off for another event. This time Stepehn and I were back in Brentwood (we do like everyone there – mind you, we like flute players everywhere). Carolyn’s pupils have done really, really well with Zig Zag Zoo and they’ve been a pleasure to work with.

Brentwood again

Brentwood again

Catching Up

2
Posted by Liz Goodwin on April 10, 2009 – 6:29 pm
Filed under Liz's Blog

I have been really exceptionally busy recently – a 16 hour plus day is quite the norm at the moment in Flutewiseland, so it’s hard to remember to write something for the blog especially when people don’t leave comments. Shame on you! It doesn’t take much effort to post something but it does help me on my way.

As you might guess, life has been busy because of loads of events, a residential course at Abbotsholme and the planning of Flutewise Live! I think if I had realised just how much work was involved in Flutewise Live! I might not have decided to go ahead with it, but I did, so I’ve just got to get on with it. I’m making sure that I won’t have any follow-up work to do for it though, apart from writing a short report. It’s going to be great and I’ll be so happy when it is here (and over).

Now about those recent events. Gareth McLearnon and I went off to Darlington on 20 March. We had a very small, but real quality class on the Friday evening.

Gareth in Darlington

Gareth in Darlington

Gareth covered all the usual topics in his excellent warm-up and then we did some pleasant ensemble playing. Everyone seemd to have a really good time and they all learnt some new extended techniques. It’s just a shame there were so few there – everyone there came from a different flute teacher and I’m sure those flute players don’t just teach one pupil! Life is a bit odd at times.

Gareth and I spent a lovely evening with Michael Cave, a very keen flute player up there. We went out for a meal – mine looked dreadful, but it was delicious!

The next morning, while Gareth rehearsed for an important concert on Sunday, I drove up to Newcastle to visit my wonderful relatives. I had such a good time, I didn’t want to leave. One of my cousins has a lovely daughter called Hannah. Hannah is 6 now and she has Down’s Syndrome. She is an exceptionally special little girl as she has had a heart transplant. It’s quite amazing to see how fit, healthy and bright she is.

Sunday saw me back in Darlington for the Concerto. Gareth was playing a world premiere of a concerto by James Penny. James and his wife Lindy have been dedicated friends of Flutewise since I started it in 1988, and it was a great honour to be present for this concert. The concerto is lovely, lots of memorable tunes. It’s dedicated to Lindy and their baby daughter, Evie.

Gareth - apt name

Gareth - apt name

Just before the concert, Gareth and I went to grab some lunch and we found this pub just by the church – it’s name seemed very apt for the occasion!

Gareth and I were both delighted when Flutewise member Nicola Mirams turned up. It was really lovely that she came along. Facebook is very useful.

It was a really productive and memorable weekend.