November 10, 2009

Southern Illinois Flute Choir plans concert

by Andrea Hahn

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- The Southern Illinois Flute Choir at Southern Illinois University Carbondale may be one of the fastest growing musical ensembles in the area, going from four members at its founding last year to 15 members in this, the ensemble’s second year.

Find out what the growing excitement is about at a free concert beginning at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 13, in Altgeld Hall, Room 112.

Douglas Worthen, who joined the SIUC School of Music faculty last year and founded the flute choir, said the current flute choir draws from the Southern Illinois Flute Society, and includes community members as well as current students.

“It’s been good for the students to meet people, some of them holding music degrees, from the community, and it’s been a good opportunity for some of those in the community to play their instruments again in an ensemble,” Worthen said.

The choir includes bass and alto flutes, C flutes and piccolos. The performance features flutes exclusively.

The program includes three parts of a symphony by Giovanna Battista Sammartini (1700-1775), and three parts of a concerto composed by Arcangelo Corelli (1653-1713). Other selections include “Wedding Day at Troldhauge” by Edvard Grieg (1843-1907) and “Mars” from “The Planets” by Gustav Holst (1874-1934).

William Shotton, graduate student, conducts for this performance.