I always feel sad when someone doesn’t renew their Flutewise membership, but sometimes it makes me very happy, especially when I know Flutewise has done its job and has supported a young player. Today I received this email and it really ticks all the right boxes for me.

Dear Liz,

I received a letter through this morning, telling me that I need to renew my flutewise membership. It also mentioned at the bottom to let you know if I decided I didn’t want to continue my membership, well I no longer wish to be a member, but as I have been one for the past eight or so years and attended Project Flutewise 1,2 and 3, and an residential course, I thought I owed an explanation to why I’m starting.

I decided, easter, of two years ago that I wanted to learn a second instrument (I don’t play piano so all I was playing at that time was flute and piccolo) so I began learning bassoon, I got on really well with help from my brilliant flute/bassoon teacher (Janet Whitteridge) and my already ok(ish) flute skills-Grade 8 distinction, helped loads along the way and within 11 months of starting I had passed my grade 8 bassoon with distinction as well but sadly because of my progress, the demand for the instrument and how much I enjoy playing bassoon this meant it became my first instrument and the flute was put down. (Well not literally.) Playing bassoon has opened so many doors for me though. I have played more extensively with my county groups (Somerset County Youth Concert Band and Somerset County Youth Orchestra.) And last year I became a member of the National Youth Orchestra, for my final course of the year I have been invited to play with the NYO Sinfonietta and I’m hoping to return for a final year. Also I’ve gained a full scholarship to the Junior Department of the Royal College of Music, as well as being really lucky to be receiving lessons from Martin Gatt (Ex prin. bassoon of LSO!) So sadly, I am a now a bassoonist through and through. But I would like to thank you for all the work you put in running flutewise, the magazines are brilliant and have helped me no end. It’s just a shame theres nothing similar in the bassoon world. Sorry it’s such a long update of my progress, but I thought that because of the help flutewise has given me you deserve an explanation!

Thanks

Luke