Flute Steeplechase

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Jig, Fox Hunters, Irish

I don’t know about you, but I always loved the whole idea of a steeplechase, yes, with fence and hedge-jumping, water traps: the whole regalia. The concept of cross-country anything mixed in with an obstacle course is compelling on a fundamental level, and has always captured my imagination!

UrbanFlute is my artistic steeplechase, if you will, and features some of the same elements, although there was a long period when off-road rally driving stepped in to fill the craving for extreme adventure. Now it’s hockey, cycling and skateboarding, swimming.
I had my own taste of marathoning with an Ottawa/Gatineau Jackrabbit Johannsen event; and, vicariously I suppose, gathering at the Jet Fuel to watch dramatic stages of Tour de France all fuels the same addiction/adherence to the concept of perserverance and endurance.

Playing a musical instrument – constantly evaluating, practising, learning and improving – is much the same thing: a marathon that can seem simple in the early stages, but fiendishly complicated and challenging when you find yourself part-way through! With my students I espouse a philosophy that I find works for me: an innovative, creative approach, flexibility, and, yes: lots of hard work that includes a positive attitude and lots of self-praise, or at least positive-reinforcement. Always keep in mind what drew you to the instrument in the first place: the sound of the flute, and continually look for and establish your own ‘voice’ – not just in terms of a singing tone, but with regard to practise/playing style, selection of materials & performance opportunities.  Ultimately – and above all else – I promote a life-long love of the instrument…Okay: class dismissed, what was that about endurance events?!
Hopefully this post from the historic and fantastical horse stables at near Spadina House and Castle Loma offer a welcome diversion! What does one play in historic horse stables? Well, in my estimation, anything with a hunting or equestrian theme is fair game!