-Music in the News-

All young people should learn an instrument!

This is something we feel very strongly about here at FriendlyFlutes and are pleased to hear that the government share the same view...

All young people should have the chance to learn an instrument, read music and receive top quality music education, Education Secretary Michael Gove said last week. Launching an independent review of music education, led by Darren Henley of Classic FM, Gove said broadening the access and opportunities young people have to experience and understand music is central to raising standards. Research shows that quality music education improves behaviour, attention and concentration, and has a positive affect on numeracy and language skills.

The Government hopes that by giving young people the best possible music education it will achieve its twin aims of driving up standards and reducing the attainment gap. The review will also make sure music funding benefits more young people. Michael Gove said it was "a sad fact" that too many children in state schools are denied the opportunity to learn to play a musical instrument. "It is simply unfair that the joy of musical discovery should be the preserve of those whose parents can afford it," he added. The review is expected to make its recommendations before the end of the year.

-Just for fun...-

Why did Mozart kill his chickens?

Because they always ran around going "Bach! Bach! Bach!"

How do you turn a duck into a soul artist?

Put it in the oven until it's Bill Withers!

Why don't they know where Mozart is buried?

Because he's Haydn!

-Quote of the month-

"There's nothing remarkable about it. All one has to do is hit the

right keys at the right time and the instrument plays itself"

Johann Sebastian Bach

-Featured Flautist of the Month-
Nicole Leclercq

Nicole Ginart was awarded the woodwind prize at the Junior Guildhall School of Music, London, in 2001, where she studied Flute and Saxophone. She then won a scholarship to study Flute and Piccolo on the BMus course at the Guildhall with Sarah Newbold, Philippa Davies and Ian Clarke. She graduated in 2005. During her time at the Guildhall School of Music, Nicole worked with many eminent musicians such as Sir Colin Davis, and Sam Coles and David Walter from the Paris Conservatoire, and she took part in masterclasses with international flautists including Michael Cox, Emily Beynon, Sir James Galway, Wissam Boustany, Dave Heath, Patricia Morris and William Bennett.

She also took part in the BBC Proms season in the year 2000, performing the premiere of a work by composer Nitin Sawhney with other members of the Junior Guildhall School and pianist Joanna McGregor. Nicole played several times as principal flute of the Guildhall Opera Orchestra and with the Guildhall Symphony Orchestra, notably as principal flute on their tour of Italy in 2005. She has also toured Poland, Italy and Belgium as principal flute of the East Sussex Youth Orchestra.

Nicole has been teaching flute in schools and privately since she left the Guildhall School, as well as giving solo and chamber music recitals, and freelancing in local orchestras and shows. She is also a member of the Flute Quintet Sussex Flutes- see www.sussexflutes.com.

Nicole is also a member of the Sussex based Tilling Ensemble, a group of young professional musicians formed in 2001 to perform a new work commissioned by the Rye Festival. The Tilling Ensemble (Flute, Harp, and String quartet) has since played in venues throughout Sussex and Kent, including the Hamsey church festival, Eastbourne Underground Theatre, Tunbridge Wells, the Westgate chapel at Lewes, and Withyam church. The ensemble also enjoys an ongoing relationship with the composer Simon Clarke.

We are delighted that Nicole has taken some time out from her busy schedule to do a quick interview for our FriendlyFlutes readership!

What did you find most difficult when you first started to play?

Holding the flute up for long enough, as I was only 7 years old! Also breathing on long notes

What was your first flute?

I first borrowed a very old Boosey and Hawkes from my school, then the first one I owned was a Trevor James

If you could give the beginner flautist one piece of advice what would it be?

Practice as often as you can, even if its only for a few minutes at a time

What is your favourite piece of music for the flute?

Difficult question, there are so many! But I love Prokofiev's Sonata

What types of music do you like listening to?

I like a lot of different kinds of music. My favoutire classical compsers are Debussy, Ravel and Stravinsky, but I also like all kinds of Jazz and other artists including Nitin Sawnhey

What has been your favourite performance/gig to date?
Again, there have been many... but I really enjoyed playing the first flute part in Debussy's L'Apres Midi D'un Faune - a very scary Flute solo starts the whole thing off but its a great piece

Thanks Nicole!

For more on Nicole, visit her website: http://www.thebrunswickduo.co.uk

-This Month's Flute Highlights-

Below is a selection of flute concerts from around the country this month. Inspire or be inspired by professional flautists!

26/10/10 Sussex Flutes - Nicole Leclercq, Anne Hodgson, Katrin Haymann, Vctoria Hancox and Sue Gregg, music from Vivaldi, Tchaikovsky, Ian Clarke and others. Lunchtime recital, Chapel Royal, North Street Brighton.
27/10/10 London Conchord Ensemble at the RHC concerts, music from Beethoven, Weber and Brahms. The Royal Hospital Chelsea, London.
28/10/10 Emer McDonough flute recital - Blavet, Debussy and Prokiev. Old Royal Naval College Chapel, Greenwich, London.
30/10/10 Rites of Pleasure Ensemble Amaranthos, Marta Goncalves (flute) - Telemann, Handel, Bach. Unitarian Church, Brighton.
11/11/10 Adam Walker (flute) Sally Pryee (harp), Damase, Houhaness and Krumpholz. St George's Bristol, Bristol.
11/11/10 London Bach Society's 20th Bachfest - Rachel Beckett (flute). Priory Church of St Bartholomew-the-Great, London.

*For further information on these events please "google" them*

-October Playlist-

If you can't make it to the concerts you can still be inspired by listening to some of the great flautists at home. This months playlist contains three classical and three contemporary pieces featuring the flute.

Stairway to Heaven - Led Zepagain (Led Zeppelin tribute)
Can't You See (made famous by Marshall Tucker Band) - The Southern Rock Players
Mozambique - Traffic
Guitar Flute and String - Moby
Modern Shakuhachi Music - Various Artists
Court of the Crimson King - Cannata

***Listen now using spotify***
Click here to load the FriendlyFlutes Newsletter playlist onto your spotify!

-Care & Maintenance Tips-

This month our video shows how to assemble your flute correctly

-FriendlyFlutes Community-

Join our FriendlyFlutes Forum! Help make it the first online community dedicated to flutes and clarinets in the UK, a place where musicians and their loved ones can share tips and ideas. It is also a great place to ask questions and get advice. Both adults and children are welcome on the forum, which requires a quick, free registration. The forum is fully moderated by ourselves to provide a fun and safe environment.

FriendlyFlutes are also on facebook! Become a fan of us and
keep up to date with the latest news and concerts.

And follow us on twitter...

-Monthly Prize Draw-

This month's lucky winner is Tanya from Stafford! She is now the proud
owner of a pair of Bone China musical mugs - congratulations!

Each month we will be giving away a musical related prize to a lucky member of the FriendlyFlutes Forum. This month's draw will take place on the 19th November and the winner will receive a manuscript design telephone cube!

An archive of all newsletters will be regularly uploaded to our website: www.friendlyflutes.co.uk