Voice Box & Flute

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Art’s Birthday, Sampler

I am inspired by Sarah Green and her story…

As I headed back to Toronto after an exciting and collaborative evening of surreal music-making at Mississauga’s Civic Centre celebrating Art’s Birthday, CBC Radio kept me good company. In this case it was OUTFRONT. A la John Cage, I found myself enthralled by totally random, chance programming…just the way I like it! Driving past Dundas & Dixie, after dark…the snow gently falling…I listened to the sound of her voice on the airwaves.

What I tuned in to – a broadcast already in progress – was a compelling and largely first-hand documentary about a woman who had had to resort to using a ‘light-reader’ [light-writer? life-writer?! - ed.] and voice box to communicate with her friends and family as she slowly found herself incapacitated by the onset of ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease). It turns out she had at one time played flute, and enjoyed sharing and listening to recordings made earlier in her life. From what I heard, she had an exceptional and beautiful sound, something constantly sought after by all the flute players I know!

Upon hearing that she had a connection with the University of Western Ontario, it ocurred to me that perhaps I might contact such a stoic, articulate individual, perhaps ‘talk shop’ about the flute world; however, unfortunately, such a meeting will not be possible, as I have just learned that this was a re-broadcast of an award-winning documentary.

Sarah Green passed away in December, 2003.

Included in the documentary, as you will discover if you have time to follow the link at the top of this page, is the music of Bach (aspiring flutists are encouraged to check this one out!) and Debussy (I much prefer Sarah’s rendition!).