Flute/Expert Profile

Expertise

These are the topics I CAN answer... How to play, from beginner to professional. Tips and tricks, breathing, auxilliary fingering techniques Tone Quality Listening--Developing your ears Technique --Bringing the notes up and off of the page, and making them "your own music". Playing solo, small groups, bands, orchestras Digitally reproduced, vs live accompaniment Accompanying vocalists, dancers, other instrumentals.

Experience in the area

Soloist, small groups, large marching bands, symphony orchestras, stage bands and orchestras, theater, church music, jazz, classical, folk music To read my story, visit www.tootuncommonflutes.com and click on the page marked "about Toot Uncommon."

Organizations

I'm independent. But professionals have often hired me to play in their groups. Giving back to the community where I played in the High School Band, I am a member of Williamsport, MD Community Band. I often perform solo as "Toot Uncommon" and have a website where I sell flutes of all sizes, shapes, and colors. The show is uncommon. The locations are often uncommon. And the variety of musical instruments is definitely uncommon! I am a member of NFA, the National Flute Association.

Publications

I didn't write for any publications. I leave that up to the more elite musicians.

Education/Credentials

This should have been my career. I am an engineer,and a trained professional clown. But my music is my passion. Flute is my favorite, though I also play many woodwinds and some brass. I am totally self-taught. But I have often played in groups made up mostly of professionals. All in all I am still the area's best-kept secret.

Awards and Honors

Biggest honor of my career was playing an emotional piece, and looking out over the audience. Two big, tough construction workers had tears rolling down their cheeks.

Past/Present Clients

I've been teaching beginning and intermediate flute/piccolo students of all ages in MD and PA since the early 1970s.

What do you like about this subject?

Even though flutes have been around pretty much since mankind itself, innovations are still being made. New construction methods, new materials,etc. make flutes more interesting to play. Still, the flute retains much of its original character!

What do you still hope to achieve/learn in this field?

I wish to start and direct a community band, and a flute choir.

Something interesting about this subject that others may not know:

Not all flutes are like the ones we play in the band and orchestra. Some are smaller, and some are much, MUCH LARGER! I personallly play many flutes, from bass, through piccolo. I have seen and played, but do not own, contrabass and double contrabass flutes. The whole flute family is sooooo cooooool!