Woodland Heart Ancient Flute Alliance is committed to providing you with a musical experience that is accessible for all!

Thursday Events include - An Opening Meet and Greet Drum Circle With Sterling Green and Open Mic Concert with Mike Mascia & Jackie Neuman (Silver Wind)

Friday Night Concert - Mark Camden and Jonny Lipford

Saturday Night Concert - Arvel Bird and Timothy JP Gomez

Check out our Workshops:

Thursday

3pm-5pm - An Opening Meet and Greet Drum Circle with Sterling Green

Join us for a high energy drum circle with many different types of drums and rhythm instruments which you will get to try out and explore what they can all do. You will learn some simple rhythm patterns and learn to interweave them together with other instruments creating a wonderful tapestry of sound. Eventually we will be accompanied by flutes bringing the element of melody into the mix. Higher pitch flutes are recommended as it can get pretty loud.

7pm-10pm - Open Mic with Mike Mascia and Jackie Neuman - Silver Wind

This Open Mic is your opportunity to showcase your talent either as a solo performer or with accompaniment. There will be a Sign Up sheet available at the registration table. Be sure to sign up early as slots fill up rapidly. 

Silver Wind has been hosting Open Mics for over 20 years. One Open Mic they ran for several years had a write up in Main Line Today, September, 2007, as being among the top 10 Open Mics in Pennsylvania at that time. 

Join us for an unforgettable evening of diverse flute performances. Whether you're a flutist, performer, or enthusiast, this event offers a unique platform to share your music and connect with fellow musicians. Experience the joy of performing and immerse yourself in the magical world of the flute. Be inspired by the diverse sounds and styles, and create memories that will last a lifetime. All abilities welcome!

Friday

9:30am – 10:30am - Performance Tips for Beginners and Intermediates With Lou Boden.

Standing in front of an audience, looking at them, talking to them, using a microphone, perhaps playing with other musicians can be challenging especially if you’re shy or lack real confidence. Having no experience with these things can really add to the mix.

In this workshop we will try, feel, see, respond, and gain confidence being in front of an audience. We will also touch on movement on stage, dynamics, song structure and resolution, and “clams,” (my specialty).

Oh, AND WE WILL HAVE FUN!

9:30am – 11:15am - Song Construction Kit With Arvel Bird

Participant requirements:

Class is for intermediate and more advanced flute players 

Must know Mode Four scale 

Must bring A Pentatonic flute to class 

Music stand would be useful 

Study of the construction of well known songs 

What is a motif and how it plays into the construction of a song 

Creating a memorable opening motif 

Come up with a second motif and a third one 

Create a climax 

End with a pleasing resolution 

Class participation in song creation exercises 

Melody Shapes and Phrasing 

Four examples of shaping a melody from your first note to the last note 

The elements of phrasing or shaping a sequence of notes by altering tone, tempo, dynamics, articulation, inflection, pauses and other characteristics 

Class participation Making your song more interesting 

Note Length 

Loud and Soft (Dynamics) 

Pauses or Rests 

Emotions 

Class participation 

Sweet Beginnings and Endings 

Exploring the second note of a song 

Playing exercises 

Creating a song from an alternate tonic note 

Playing this with different scales like Blues, Gypsy, Mode 4, etc.

10:45am–11:45am - "Free Your Inner Musician" With Helen of Helen’s Willow Wind

"Free Your Inner Musician"

This workshop is open to all, from those new to the flute to the seasoned performer. Helen believes that putting "play" into your playing keeps ruts and plateaus at bay. This fast paced, fun romp of a workshop frees one's inner musician with laughter and levity through Helen's flute games, exercises, and group play that participants can continue on their own at home. There is a time for buckling down in learning, but as the famous saying goes, and she misquotes: "All work and no play makes for a dull play.” Helen's philosophy is that keeping one's mind open, and exploring everything with childlike wonder, are the keys to maintaining a lifelong passion for learning and living.

Key of A flute

For more info: https://www.helenswillowwind.com

3:15pm–4:15pm - Flute Workout! Mastering Technique and Breath Control with Timothy J.P. Gomez

Get ready for a flute workout! Participants will embark on a fun and interactive workshop experience that is focused on enhancing their flute-playing abilities. We will focus on the intricacies of technique and breath control, empowering participants to craft their own unique musical experience on the Native American Style Flute. Through a combination of technical instruction, creative exploration, and mindfulness practices, we will focus on refining our skills to allow us to have more confidence in our flute playing and cultivate a deeper connection with our flutes. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced player, this workshop offers a valuable opportunity for self expression and growth and a whole lot of flute playing in the world of flute playing. 

Note: For those who would like to participate in the interactive portion of the workshop, please bring your G Minor flutes.

3:15pm – 4:15pm - Language is a Rhythm, Music is a Language With Dan La Porta

Inspired by John Coltrane, Eric Harland, and a lifetime of casually turning language into rhythm, this workshop by Dan LaPorta explores the powerful connection between language and rhythm, and how to leverage this connection to elevate your music and your musical mind. Together we will delve into this technique, learn how to connect this way of thinking to our hands and an instrument, and how its practice can elevate your performance, rescue you from feeling stuck with overused patterns and phrases, help you improvise or perform with more intension, and add elements of purpose to your music, in your living room, in nature, or on stage. Open a whole new world of musical potential for any level from beginner to professional performer.

4:30pm - 5:30pm - “Cover the Holes and Breathe” with Helen of Helen's Willow Wind

“Cover the Holes and Breathe”

This workshop is for those of you taking your first steps on your flute journey. Helen feels it is an honor to take those steps with you and believes the flute is an instrument anyone can play! She will start you on your way with confidence, passion, and a good dose of humor. Join her in a safe, warm, and comfortable environment for learning and letting your fear of squeaking and squawking go. As she states in her video on the subject: “The only people who do not squeak are people who do not flute!”

Key of A flute

For more info: https://www.helenswillowwind.com/

4:30pm – 5:30pm - Old Flutes Speak: Traditional Song Structure With Jon Norris

Native American flute music as it was traditionally played is quite a bit different than the music we hear today. In this presentation, we will listen to examples of some of the earliest recorded flute music, explore how Plains flute songs are structured, and learn some basic techniques that will allow you to play in a similar style.

For more info: www.jonnorrismusic.com

Saturday

9:30am – 10:30am - Flute Anatomy & Physiology With Rick Svitzer

Join me for an enlightening Powerpoint on the anatomy and physiology of how a flute works, how it is made, and how it is tuned. Step into the exciting world of the Flute maker and see what goes into making these instruments we all know and love.

For more info: www.rainspiritflutes.com

9:30am – 10:30am - Discovering Your Authentic Voice With Jonny Lipford

Have you ever noticed how your favorite flute artists are instantly recognizable when you hear their music? We'll look at some of the best-known names in the industry and break down what makes their sound so distinctive. It's not only about the "how" but also the "why" behind their sound. And of course, we'll have some fun as we explore our playing styles together.

In this workshop, we'll dive into the question of "What is your authentic 'voice'?" and explore how to develop your signature sound to make your music recognizable. We'll take a closer look at your strengths and what you're already doing on the flute. I'll share tips and tricks to enhance further and refine your playing style to create your unique and unforgettable sound.

10:45am – 11:45am - Beginning Flute Playing With Sterling Green

This class is designed to get newer players comfortable with a flute they may have just bought or maybe one you’ve had for a bit but never quite got the hang of it. If you feel you want some basic instruction on finger placement, basic pentatonic scale, breathing technique, simple tonguing, etc. this is the class for you. Instruction will be geared to the level of the class. Come with your questions, challenges and struggles and we’ll help you out or just get you off to a great start on your new Native American Flute Journey.

10:45am-11:45am - Don’t Quit Your Day Job Yet Tips for the Working Flute Player - Mark Camden

We purchase our first Native Style flute and start experiencing some of the magic that surrounds this incredible instrument. Before long, we are navigating the instrument with confidence, melodies and songs begin revealing themselves, and we soon discover that playing our flutes in front of an audience touches both the player and the listener in very special ways. The natural progression is the desire to play, perform, and share your melodies and songs with audiences as often as you can.

Join Mark as he shares his 27 year flute journey carving a career in the music business. With nearly 3 decades of experience, Mark will share tips that have helped him succeed and the pitfalls that should be avoided. 

Workshop Topics: 

Creating Your Brand 

Developing Repertoire 

1. Your own songs, covers, or both 

Developing Programs 

1. Music, lectures, or both 

2. Customized programs for special events 

Performance Logistics 

Solo or performing with other musicians 

Solo: 1. Acappella or play to backing tracks 

2. Developing backing tracks 

3. Sound equipment 

Ensembles: Sound equipment 

Places to perform 

1.  How to find “gigs”. 

2.  What to charge. 

Open questions and Discussions

3:45pm – 5:30pm - Playing World Music on Native American Flutes - Frank Henninger

This class is for the novice/intermediate level flute player who can competently play the basic Native American scale. You will learn some of the alternate scales that can be played on the six-holed Native American flute including: the major scale, the jazz scale, the hexatonic scale, the blues scale, the Celtic scale, the Middle Eastern scale, and several more. Handouts will include tablature for many alternate scales. Participants may use any flutes they own, in any key.

3:45pm – 5:30pm - History and Evolution of Flutes in North America With Jon Norris

The modern flute that we all know and love is a fairly new creation. In this workshop, we will explore the origins of wind instruments in North America, starting with primitive bone instruments and the rim-blown flutes of Ancestral Puebloan cultures. Then, using replicas of several historical instruments as well as old flutes by well-known Native makers and some more recent flutes, we'll take a look at how the Native American Flute has evolved over the last 200 years to become the instrument we play today.

For more info: www.jonnorrismusic.com

Sunday

10:30am-12:00pm - Playing Flutes with Guitars Kathy Owen, Mike Mascia and Jackie Neuman

This workshop is an opportunity to learn about simplified methods of playing the Native American Flute accompanied by a guitar and utilizing various styles of music including blues, modern and pop. This workshop will give examples of simplified methods of playing songs such as Amazing Grace, Wayfaring Stranger, and others.

You do not need to know how to read music. We will also introduce you to basic ear training and listening for chord changes to simply play along with the Pentatonic Minor scale.

1:00pm-3:00pm - Introduction to Playing Handpans with Frank Henninger

In this single 2-hour class the students will go from little or no prior experience in playing metal handpans to being able to play with hands and/or mallets on the two most prevalent types of handpan, the standard convex turtle-shaped pan and metal tongue drums. Basic skills taught will include body position, proper hand & mallet striking techniques, handpan terminology, and playing basic rhythms. NO PRIOR EXPERIENCE IS NECESSARY. This workshop focuses primarily on achieving good tones & basic rhythms. There will be an overview of the various types of handpans available in the global market. There will be several handpans from a few manufacturers provided by the instructor for students to take turns playing. Students are encouraged to bring any metal handpans or tank drums they own. You do not need a drum to attend the workshop.

Buy Tickets

Date: March 14-17, 2024

Location: Aldersgate United Methodist Church

2313 Concord Pike Wilmington, DE 19803

Click Here For More Information