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WCU to present flute concert, master class
The Western Carolina University music department will present a free concert by renowned flutist William Bennett at 8 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 20, in the recital hall of the Coulter Building.
Western’s own Lillian Pearson, associate professor of piano, and Eldred Spell, professor of flute, will join Bennett in the grand finale, Doppler’s “Valse di Bravura.”
Western Carolina flute professor Eldred Spell, right, will team with renowned performer William Bennett, whom Spell calls “the most significant living flutist,” for the finale of Bennett’s free 8 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 20, concert in WCU’s Coulter Building recital hall.
The program also will include pieces composed by Handel, Mozart, Ganne, Taktakishvili, Faure˘, Roussel and Gaubert.
Bennett also will present a flute masterclass on Saturday, Feb. 19, from 7 to 10 p.m. The masterclass will feature Western flute students Jennifer Cloughly, Jaime Garner, Tiffany Lamb and Summer Schulte. Pearson will provide the accompaniment.
Bennett has recorded more than 300 separate musical solo and chamber works, and a larger body of orchestral repertoire. His orchestral career includes principal positions with the London Symphony, Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields and the English Chamber Orchestra. In 1995, Bennett was recognized with the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, and he was recently honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award of the National Flute Association.
“He is simply the most significant living flutist,” said Spell, Western’s flute professor. “In addition to stunning performances, his teaching has raised the standard of flute playing worldwide. He has also, in collaboration with flute-maker Albert Cooper, made improvements in the tuning of flutes that have influenced nearly every modern instrument maker.”
Local music teachers are encouraged to have their students attend both events, Spell said.
“Bennett’s performance here is a unique opportunity, particularly for area public school students. Hearing a master teacher like Bennett work with advanced college students will be both informative and inspiring. Anyone considering majoring in music or a career in the field should certainly be there,” he said.
The visit is made possible by the Western Carolina Flute Society, WCU Visiting Scholars Program, Colloquy Fund of the Dean of Arts and Sciences, WCU music department, Jackson County Arts Council, WCU’s professional music fraternities and the Mountain Area Flute Association.
For more information, contact Spell at 227-3952.
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