Meet Flo the Flute Flamingo… or it might be Larry, Koda, Frodo, or Steve, one of a flamboyance of flamingos at Hochstein this week! (Yes, that really is the word for a group of flamingos!)
Each of the campers at Hochstein Flute Camp has their own flamingo, since the students are all superheroes and every superhero needs to have a sidekick. They each have given their flamingo its own name and take their flamingo with them.
The different classes included sightreading, breathing and yoga, an introduction to the Native American flute, and working on music together for the final concert.
Campers also worked with Hochstein Assistant Dean of Students Joanna Bassett, a former flutist with the RPO, on improving their intonation while playing with others. Joanna asked each student for their favorite note and would have them play it while she added a harmonizing note. Then they would work to get their tone to match so that the notes would just ring.
In the other room, another group used the “floor flute” to practice various fingerings, placing their feet on the flute keys in the diagram while others played the notes on their own flutes. They looked a little like flamingos balancing on one foot! This exercise helped them learn different fingerings for playing the notes.
The campers are all earning their superpowers as they work on different flute techniques this week – and having fun of course!
Hochstein Flute Camp is a collaborative offering with the Rochester Flute Association.