at WCU
The Western Carolina Flute Festival
Hosted by Western Carolina University, the Western Carolina Flute Festival is a 3-day event featuring guest artists, flute performances, workshops, competition performances, masterclasses, networking, and more! Join us February 1st-3rd, 2024 for an amazing time with fellow flute-enthusiasts!
About the Festival
The School of Music at Western Carolina University is proud to announce the upcoming Western Carolina Flute Festival 2024, taking place on February 1st-3rd. This event, built around the celebration and exploration of flute music, promises a rich palette of experiences for flutists, music professionals, and aficionados alike.
This three-day festival will offer a suite of dynamic workshops, interactive masterclasses, rigorous competitions, and opportunities for networking and collaboration with fellow musicians and industry peers. We will also host a gala concert featuring our festival's distinguished guest artists.
In an effort to provide a comprehensive platform for flutists across different stages of their careers, we have structured the festival's competition into two categories: High School and Collegiate. The competition invites flutists from varied backgrounds and skill levels to demonstrate their prowess in front of a panel of expert judges. Prizes, including cash awards and recognition certificates, await the winners.
In addition, our festival has been enriched with a lineup of workshops steered by prominent figures in the flute community. These workshops span a range of topical themes, from technical prowess to career strategy, all designed to offer attendees a wealth of insights, learnings, and actionable advice.
The Western Carolina Flute Festival 2024 aspires to be a robust, enriching event for all attendees, whether you are a young flutist keen on honing your craft, a seasoned musician eager for intellectual engagement, or an enthusiast appreciative of quality flute music.
We anticipate your participation in making this gathering a rewarding celebration of flute music. Let's champion the spirit of musical excellence together!
Festival Registration Fees
The regular participation fee for the festival is $150, covering access to all workshops, the opportunity to audit masterclasses, and attendance at the Gala concert. For participants in the competition, a discounted festival fee of $25 applies. Limited scholarships are available; to apply, please send an email to wcu.flutesociety@outlook.com with the following information: name, date of birth, reasons for financial assistance, and a brief biography. Register here.
Competition Information
The first round for all categories will be judged based on video submissions. Winners of the first round will be invited to perform live at the festival for the second round free of charge. These performers will also have access to festival workshops, can audit the masterclasses, and attend the Gala concert. Prizes are as follows:
High School Competition: 1st - $200, 2nd - $100, 3rd - $50
Collegiate Competition: 1st - $300, 2nd - $200, 3rd - $100
In addition to the cash prize, winners will receive a certificate of recognition. Please submit your application and video submission by January 20th, 2024, at 11:59pm.
Good luck to all participants! We can't wait to hear your performances.
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High School Competition
This competition is open to flutists aged 14-18 (as of the date of the competition). The non-refundable application fee is $25.
Repertoire requirements: Exposition from movements I and II of either Mozart Flute Concerto in G or D.
To apply to the High School Competition, click here.
Collegiate Competition
The collegiate competition is open to all college and university students, with no age limit. The non-refundable application fee is $35.
Repertoire requirements: Any selected work from "Flute Music by French Composers" in its entirety.
To apply to the Collegiate Competition, click here.
Call for Workshop Proposals
The Western Carolina Flute Festival 2024 invites you to submit workshop proposals for our upcoming event. We are seeking engaging, innovative, and educational workshops that cater to both our high school and collegiate participants.
Please Note: By submitting a proposal, you agree to attend the festival upon being selected and cover your travel and lodging expenses. The festival does not provide any travel or accommodation compensation.
To submit a proposal, please include the following details:
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Title of the workshop
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Detailed description of the workshop (300-500 words)
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Duration of the workshop (expected to be around 1 hour)
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Short biography of the presenter(s)
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Technical requirements, if any
Please submit your proposal HERE by December 15, 2023 at 23:59 PM. Selected workshop presenters will receive confirmation by December 31, 2023.
Call for Performers
The Western Carolina Flute Festival 2024 invites you to submit performance proposals for our upcoming event. We are seeking engaging, innovative, and educational programs in a lecture recital or recital format that cater to both our high school and collegiate participants.
Please Note: By submitting a proposal, you agree to attend the festival upon being selected and cover your travel and lodging expenses. The festival does not provide any travel or accommodation compensation.
To submit a proposal, please include the following details:
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Complete information about the program (composers, titles, dates, instrumentation)
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Description of the program (300-500 words)
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Duration of the program (expected to be less than 1 hour)
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Short biography of the performer(s)
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Technical requirements, if any
Please submit your proposal HERE by December 15, 2023 at 23:59 PM. Selected programs will receive confirmation by December 31, 2023.
History of the Western Carolina Flute Festival
The Flute Festival is a Flute Society at WCU tradition started in early 2020 shortly before Covid-19. The festival was started by our late professor, Dr. Eldred Spell. He wished to see his students past and present come together to learn, play, share stories, and grow together. Dr. Spell's students were his pride and joy, and he loved their music. Dr. Spell passed away in December 2022, and the flute festival served as a memoriam to his contributions and presence in the WCU School of Music. Under the instruction of Dr. Kelariz Keshavarz, the festival has grown its influence in the flute community and added new aspects, including competitions and open workshops. We encourage you to join us and be a part of the festival's evolution!