Flute soloists Sir James Galway, Lady Jeanne Galway offer masterclass
Sir James Galway, one of the world’s preeminent flute soloists, will lead a flute masterclass on Nov. 7 from 9 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. in the Old Dominion Ballroom in Virginia Tech’s Squires Student Center.
The event, which is open to both participants and general audience members, is co-presented by the Center for the Arts at Virginia Tech and Virginia Tech’s Department of Music in the School of Performing Arts and Cinema.
A skilled interpreter of the classical flute repertoire, Sir Galway will share his wisdom and experience as he leads group exercises with masterclass participants. Lady Galway will work with younger flutists (ages 10 to 17) in a separate class held at the same time. Lady Galway is one of the world’s leading flute soloists and an accomplished chamber musician, touring regularly with her trio, Zephyr.
Watch a clip of Sir James and Lady Jeanne Galway performing.
Solo performers at the event will include Azusa Inaba of Winchester, Va., who received a bachelor’s degree in music performance and music education from Virginia Tech's Department of Music in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences in 2009 and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in flute performance at Northwestern University; and Calen Gayle of Falls Church, Va., who holds a bachelor’s degree in religion and flute performance from Belmont University and is completing a master’s degree in music performance at the North Carolina School of the Arts. Auditions will be held to choose a third student performer from Virginia Tech’s Department of Music. The soloists will be accompanied by pianist Erica Ann Sipes, adjunct faculty member in Radford University's Department of Music.
Faculty and students from Virginia Tech’s Department of Music who will be participating in the masterclass include
- Tracy Cowden, associate professor of piano and vocal coach;
- Jason Crafton, visiting assistant professor of trumpet;
- Hayley Flynn of Burke, Va., a freshman majoring in biology in the College of Science with a minor in music;
- Anne Friend of Vienna, Va., a sophomore majoring in music performance and music education;
- Jake Glaser of Alexandria, Va., a freshman who is majoring in general engineering in the College of Engineering with a minor in music;
- Jennifer Gorce of Crestwood, Ky., a sophomore majoring in geoscience in the College of Science with a minor in music;
- Luke Gusukuma of Oak Hill, Va., a senior majoring in music performance and computer science in the College of Engineering;
- Katharyn Heflin of Stephens City, Va., a sophomore majoring in music education and music performance;
- Stephanie Hurst of South Riding, Va., a sophomore majoring in music education and music performance;
- Taylor Light of Woodville, Va., a sophomore majoring in music education and biology in the College of Science;
- Allison Moore of Newport News, Va., a junior majoring in biology in the College of Science and music education;
- Lauren O'Donnell of Leonardtown, Md., a junior majoring in music technology and psychology in the College of Science;
- Deja Rasberry-Dickey of Caroline County, Va., a freshman majoring in music education; and
- Olivia Stansbury of Poquoson, Va., a sophomore majoring in music education and music performance.
Sir Galway studied in London and Paris before embarking on an orchestral career and serving as solo flutist with the Berlin Philharmonic. He launched a solo career in 1975 and has since sold more than 30 million albums from a discography of more than 65 CDs, including a performance on the soundtrack to “Lord of the Rings.” He has performed with leading orchestras and conductors across the globe and has played for dignitaries, such as Queen Elizabeth II, Pope John Paul II, President Bill Clinton, President George W. Bush, President George H. W. Bush, and the Empress of Japan. Sir Galway has shared the stage with an array of entertainers, including Stevie Wonder, Henry Mancini, John Denver, Elton John, Ray Charles, Joni Mitchell, Pink Floyd, and Andrea Bocelli. He has been awarded numerous gold and platinum CDs and was inducted into the Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame in 2008. He has been honored twice by Queen Elizabeth II, and was knighted in 2001 for his services to music.
The cost for masterclass participants is $20 and $10 for general audience members. Payment will be accepted at the door beginning one hour prior to the class and only cash and personal checks will be accepted. Those interested in participating should contact Elizabeth Crone to reserve a space.
With a visitor’s pass, parking is available in the Squires Lot, located at the corner of College Avenue and Otey Street or the Architecture Annex Lot also on Otey Street. Parking meters within the Squires Lot will need to be paid. A visitor’s pass may be obtained Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Visitor Information Center, located at 965 Prices Fork Road, near the intersection of Prices Fork and University City Boulevard next to the Inn at Virginia Tech and Skelton Conference Center. A visitor’s pass may also be obtained from the Virginia Tech Police Station, located on Sterrett Drive, outside of the Visitor Information Center hours. Find more parking information online or call 540-231-3200.
