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[2 rep duets] Mozart in G, Gluck
If you need a new approach for the 1,329th time you practice this concerto… Seriously though, playing flute rep as a duet is a super fun way to practice it, and get to know the piece better. One of my favorite things is that it forces me to feel the consequences of my inconsistencies. I usually record the Flute 2 part, and then play the solo part along with it. If I’m out of tune or my rhythm is shaky, I really notice. And I only have myself to be annoyed at! Please contact me to purchase either of these… Read more
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6 ways journaling keeps me (somewhat) sane
As a kid, I liked the idea of journaling, but never really caught on to it. I tried writing some of the day’s events in my abundant supply of Sanrio diaries (with the little lock and key- I’m not sure why I received so many of these as gifts). Inevitably, I would forget about it after a few days. That changed when I met my first boyfriend- sophomore year of high school. I suddenly had feelings I couldn’t contain within myself. I grabbed a spiral notebook (red) and a pen (black), and desperately dumped my thoughts on paper. Since then,… Read more
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[rep duet] Godard, Allegretto
On sale for $5, until next week (3/26) 🙂 I have a student learning this piece, and I’m hoping this will deepen her understanding of the music. From day one, I give students rhythmic and harmonic context by playing accompaniment on the flute or piano. That way, the piece is conceived as a whole from the very beginning. I’m working on expanding my selection of rep duets for teachers to use with their students. Send me a message if there is an intermediate level piece that you teach a lot, and would like to see as a duet. Preview my… Read more
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Why I don’t want a full time orchestra job
I recently had the epiphany that I actually don’t want a full time orchestra job, and don’t even want to take auditions for one. This surprised me a little. As a performing classical flutist, obtaining that kind of position is held up as a rare and precious jewel- a dream job. A FTOJ (let’s abbreviate that) seemed like a happily-ever-after ending; the ultimate badge of success for a flutist. I adopted this goal for about ten years, never questioning it much. Performing, pay, and stability- what more could you want? So I auditioned, toiled away in the practice room, and… Read more
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[rep duet] CPE Bach, Flute Concerto in D minor
This is one of those pieces that I heard, but never learned in college. Probably for the best-I don’t think college Alyse could have managed the articulation in the last movement! I started this duet in 2022, and finished the first two movements. Alas, I submitted to the charms of opera before I got to the last movement. There are a number of unfinished projects in my MuseScore folder for similar reasons… When my head is in a piece of music, arranging is a natural extension of my study. But once I move on, it feels pretty daunting to find… Read more
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[books] Life as art
I borrow a lot of books from the public library. I scan titles, and peruse whatever seems interesting. This often reveals to me what’s really on my mind. If I want to read a book that’s not in the library, I purchase a used copy. Geisha, A Life, by Mineko Iwasaki I have been interested in geisha for some time- likely inspired by the 2005 movie. I also read the novel that inspired the movie (Memoirs of a Geisha, by Arthur Golden). Iwasaki was one of the geisha interviewed for background information during the writing of Golden’s book. I think… Read more
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8 jobs I’ve given myself (with a music degree)
This is a follow up to the most popular (by far) video on my YouTube channel… I made this video during the restless days of the pandemic. It wasn’t meant to be anything groundbreaking- just reminding music majors to check the obvious places for work. In the three years since this video, my outlook has evolved about work, being an artist, and earning money. Here’s a quick synopsis of what happened (career-wise) since I made this video… 2021-22 -Moved back to Denton, TX from Los Angeles; reclaimed my first organ job.-Taught about 40 lessons/week in three TX public school districts,… Read more
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Diary of an arrangement
This diary is characteristic of how I work: inspiration, obsession, and a flurry of activity. Sun.1.28 Finished a busy week of performances, rehearsals, and concerts. Had some big feelings. Mon.1.29 Morning: Break from practicing- flute needed adjustment because I had stupidly dropped my backpack. Evening: Still buzzing from the previous week’s events, so I dug around for music. Listened to some French artists, since I’m studying a French opera. I discovered* Françoise Hardy and went through her albums. Found C’était charmant, which gave me some cathartic satisfaction, and incidentally has a flute (generally a positive sign from the universe). Listened… Read more
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New photos
I felt like it was time for an update 🙂 Read more
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The Pan-Tones new media
Whew! The Pan-Tones just submitted our first grant application, which involved a lot of updates and media creation. It was a lot of work, but also really cool to compile everything we’ve done so far. Our first gig was in May 2021 (we’re almost 2!), and things have evolved quite a bit since then. I came up with the concept of the group, but then it took on a life and direction of its own. It’s fascinating how that works. Here’s what’s new! –website updated (now redirects from the-pan-tones.com)–new tracks uploaded to bandcamp-tracks also available on Spotify, YouTube music, Instagram,… Read more
