AUDITIONS for BFA Ensembles and Classes — by appointment, space permitting.
BFA offers classes for everyone, from young children up through high school, college, adult hobbyists and professional players. The finest flute teachers and world class guest artists are accessible to all our students. A philosophy of generosity and mutual support is important in all programs at BFA.
The 2020-2021 Season is currently held online for all ensembles and private lessons. To schedule an audition or consultation with the BFA Director Judy Grant, please contact us via email: info@bostonfluteacademy.com
Auditions and consultations will be held by online appointment. You may contact us with any questions at: info@bostonfluteacademy.com Thank you!
Photo: BFA Prep Ensemble & Seminar student Sophia in Masterclass with Lady Jeanne Galway
BFA PROGRAMS
- BFA Accelerated Studies Program: Students in 3rd grade through college progress through the Preparatory, Repertory, Conservatory, and Young Artist Programs. BFA Young Artists are recruited by the world’s finest conservatories, such as Juilliard, Curtis, Eastman, Cleveland Institute of Music, San Francisco Conservatory, Peabody, Royal Academy of Music and Royal College of Music in London. Auditions required. Space is limited.
- BFA General Studies Program: Flutists of any age and level are invited to enroll in private lessons and progress at their own pace. Beginners are welcomed and provided with a nurturing environment. No formal audition. Interview and studio placement audition only. Trial lessons available. Lesson locations: Brookline, Jamaica Plain/Boston, Newton.
- BFA Ensemble and Seminar Program: Open to all flutists, from elementary school age through adults, regardless of where you study privately. Ensemble experience combined with masterclasses and inspiring workshops on a wide range of topics. Ground breaking initiative designed to supplement the private lesson and build more informed and more complete musicians at every age. Guest artists, practice recitals, and formal performance opportunities included. Fall and Spring terms, with 12 classes per term on weekends in Brookline. Audition and interview for class placement: Preparatory Ensemble & Seminar, Repertory Ensemble & Seminar, Advanced Repertory Ensemble & Seminar, Conservatory Ensemble & Seminar, Adult Ensemble & Seminar. All levels welcomed.
- Maliotis Chamber Players: Performing flute ensemble for adults. Advanced level. Recent college graduates and music major backgrounds welcomed. Includes workshops with BFA Ensemble & Seminar program. Approx 10 players. By audition only.
- Bernoulli Winds: Performing flute ensemble for adults. Approx 5-6 players. By audition.
- Comprehensive Course offerings: In addition to traditional flute and piccolo lessons, BFA brings a visionary approach to ensemble training, studio classes, seminars & master classes, music theory, listening classes, orchestral studies, adult continuing studies, and even teacher-training.
- Intensive Immersion Program — full time program, ideal for a “gap year” between HS and college, or undergrad and grad school. Following their study at BFA, Intensive Immersion students have been accepted to colleges such as Oberlin and New England Conservatory.
- Teacher Training Program — certificate program with hands-on experience.
- Mentoring Program — more advanced players work with younger flutists to share guidance and experience
BFA WEEKEND CLASS SCHEDULES
Most Ensemble & Seminar classes are 1 1/2 hour or 1 hour and 45 minutes, in order for students to participate in special workshops, practice recitals, and masterclasses.
- Preparatory Ensemble & Seminar, Saturdays 10:30am-Noon. Mostly Grades 4-6.
- Junior Repertory and Repertory Ensemble & Seminar, Saturdays 10:30am-Noon. Grades 7 – 11.
- Advanced Repertory Ensemble & Seminar, Saturdays 12:30-2:15pm. Grades 9-12.
- Conservatory Ensemble & Seminar, Saturdays 12:30-2:15pm. Grades 11, 12, college.
- Bernoulli Winds (selection by interview & audition), Saturdays 9am-10:15pm. Group size: 5 to 6 players. Includes alto & bass.
- Maliotis Chamber Players (advanced adult performing ensemble, by audition), Saturdays 2:30-4pm. Group size: 10 to 11 players. Includes alto & bass.
- Young Artist Studio Class, Sundays 10am-Noon – Faculty: Judy Grant
- Intensive Immersion Program (full time program, designed for flutists preparing for undergraduate or grad school auditions). Instructor: Judy Grant
- Teacher Training Program – weekends at the Maliotis Cultural Center in Brookline. Mentor and Advisor: Judy Grant
- Private lessons in Boston / Jamaica Plain, Brookline, Newton.
- Mentoring program more experienced high school & college players work with younger flute students every 2 weeks at mutually convenient time
All our BFA classes and programs are currently online. We hope to resume in-person lessons and classes in the Fall of 2021 and will adhere to the advice of medical professionals. Here is the BFA email for any questions: info@bostonfluteacademy.com (You may also fill out our audition signup form here, but we have had some recent technical trouble receiving the form. We hope to resolve this shortly. Thanks!)
Here are a few examples of our online BFA classes that worked well in Zoom world:
Composition Class: Students compose their first pieces for flute and learn apps such as Noteflight for getting the music in print. BFA presented Recital of Premieres with the works of 9 new flutist composers. We also included a guest artist workshop with flutist/composer Zach Sheets as an introduction to writing for multiple voices.
Cadenza Writing for Mozart Concerti — We also included an interactive guest artist workshop with Tim Hagen on this subject.
Memory Techniques
Taffanel et Gaubert Technique Class
Baroque ornamentation — Text is primarily the Quantz book. We also had a Guest Artist visit with Jennifer Grim on the topic.
Orchestral excerpts — includes the full flute parts, not just the excerpts. We also had Guest Artists Sarah Shin and upcoming Demarre McGill.
JS Bach – – St Matthew Passion — a deeper look at Aus Liebe
Debussy Syrinx Workshops:
For the Debussy class, we include the traditional sharing of the story and the Greek mythology, but we also delve deeper into the controversies about the piece. Was it originally written with bar lines or no bar lines, and why does that matter to us as the performer? Was the accent on the tied B in the last line actually there in the original version? Who originally performed it and was the story you learned about that true? Is it actually in a key or does it rely on tonal centers and other unifying devices? What was the original name for the piece and was it published before or after Debussy’s death? Should you play it with lots of freedom and rubato or adhere to the printed rhythms? What colors of sound and what types of vibrato can you use to best convey the story? What about convincing dynamics and phrasing and pacing? Nice selection for memory work. The possibilities for fruitful discussion are endless with this piece, and there are just so many great recordings to study. It is perfect for online classwork during the pandemic.
Hindemith Acht Stucke Workshops. – workshop passing down the performance traditions. Also uses music as a vehicle to explore flute skills such as intensity of sound versus peaceful sound along with expressive articulation choices and intonation work at all dynamic levels.
Head to Toe Workshop – Workshops on releasing of tension in the full body from top of head to feet.
Breathing Workshop – combines everything we have ever learned about breathing into one workshop
Telemann Fantasies: We did in-depth work on No.6 in d minor. What is the form? Where are the key changes? Is there a hidden fugue going on? Is there hemiola? What does all this mean for our interpretation? What articulations work and why? Why do intervals and melodic line matter in choosing articulation? What are other considerations when making articulation choices? Comparing Baroque flute recordings with modern flute recordings is also a lot of fun, as it opens the ears and stimulates much class conversation. Works well during the pandemic.
Circular Breathing Workshop – uses Great Train Race as an incentive to learn this fun technique
100 Years of Beauty – Why We Play the Way we Do – traces flute sound from early 20th century to present day, how it has evolved, and where it is going next
Improvisation Workshops – we focused mainly on the Blues. Also had guest artist on Latin Jazz.
Small chamber groups and large ensemble coaching and recording of flute ensemble repertoire — includes instruction for Acapella and Bandlab
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