Flute Festival to feature rich array of music options
Marina Piccinini
Skidmore’s Filene Concert Series will showcase a Flute Festival featuring a concert and master class by renowned flutist Marina Piccinini Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 2 and 3, at the Arthur Zankel Music Center.
Piccinini will perform at 8 p.m. Nov. 2 and lead a public master class from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Nov. 3. At 1 p.m. Nov. 3, she will give a lecture titled “Essentials of Effective Practice and Other Topics.” The festival will close with the Flute Festival Student Ensembles concert at 2:30 p.m. Nov. 3.
The Skidmore Flute Festival Ensemble Concert features high school and college ensembles as well as the Skidmore Flute Festival Choir. College and high school ensembles are welcome to perform in their own flute ensemble or as a member of the Skidmore Flute Festival Choir. The concert provides an excellent opportunity for students interested in a liberal arts education to experience what Skidmore offers. For other students and teachers, it is a delightful and educational two days of fluting and exchanging ideas.
The “Marina Piccinini & Guests” concert will feature Michael Shepperd on piano and Jan Vinci, senior artist-in-residence at Skidmore, as guest flutist performing music of Uebayashi, Ferroud, Taffanel, Higdon and Strauss. Widely recognized as one of the world’s leading flute virtuosos, Piccinini combines flawless technical command, profound interpretive instincts, and a charismatic stage presence – qualities that make each of her performances a memorable event. Since making her acclaimed debuts in New York’s Town Hall, London’s Southbank Centre, and Tokyo’s Suntory Hall, Piccinini has been in demand both as a recitalist and soloist with orchestras in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Japan.
Piccinini began her flute studies in Toronto with Jeanne Baxtresser, received bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the Juilliard School, where she studied with the legendary flutist Julius Baker, and worked with Aurele Nicolet and Ernst Haefliger in Switzerland. Piccinini frequently gives master classes around the world and is currently on the faculty of the Peabody Institute.
Admission for the Nov. 2 "Marina Piccinini & Guests" concert is free for students and children, $8 adults, and $5 seniors and Skidmore Community. Admission for the November 3, 2:30pm Flute Festival Student Ensembles concert is free and open to the public. For advance reservations or information please click here or call the Zankel box office (518) 580-5321 for more information. The Zankel Music Center is wheelchair accessible and offers listening devices for the hearing impaired.
