Monster musical performance at TWU

Nadiyah Suleiman, Page Editor

TWU is to host its annual Monster Flute Choir Concert Tuesday, Oct. 27 at 7:30 p.m. in the Margo Jones Performance Hall. This year marks the 22nd anniversary of the formal fall concert that showcases all the instruments within the flute family including the piccolo, C flute, alto flute, bass flute, and contrabass flute. The event consists of 26 flutists made up of students and a few alumni. 

The TWU Flute Choir and the Brookhaven College Flute Choir perform together to form a “monster” concert while also occasionally including Halloween music. Conductor and Professor and Chair of the Music Department Pamela Youngblood stated: “The combination of the two groups provides the opportunity to perform larger and more complex compositions for wider audiences in a variety of venues.” The pieces to be performed will be “A Celtic Tapestry” by John Palmer and a new transcription of Leonard Bernstein’s Overture to “Candide.” 

Youngblood reported: “California composer Peter Senchuk, one of our favorite composers, wrote a beautiful and dynamic new piece ‘Beyond the Night Sky’ for us. We will also present ‘Phonographic Memories’ written for us by Vermont composer, David Gunn. Both of these new works were met with rave reviews!”

The Flute Choir has already had a successful year performing at the 43rd annual National Flute Association Convention this past August.

Youngblood said: “We are going to present the Texas premieres of two new compositions which we commissioned and premiered  at the National Flute Association convention
in Washington, D.C. this past August.”                 

Youngblood anticipates a good turnout at the Monster Flute Choir Concert, saying: “We have developed a loyal following; we really appreciate all of our fans and would love to see even more folks in the audience.”  The Monster Flute Choir Concert encourages audience members to come dressed in costume and even incorporates a costume parade.

Youngblood enthusiastically stated: “It is a great program – very audience-friendly – with a few surprises along the way.