Flute Music Throughout the Years

Abstract

To fulfill the Senior Honors Project requirements, I have chosen to partake in a senior recital performance of flute works from a range of eras, genres, and styles. As I began my musical journey at the mere age of three, music has played a vital role in shaping my cognitive and emotional status. Not only did piano and ultimately flute studies enhance my overall academic performance through nurturing a hierarchical understanding of notated rhythmic sequences (“Music and Spatial Task Performance” 611), but was a personal means of emotional expression. Thus, for my Senior Honors Project, I have decided to share this passion with an audience through performing a compilation of flute repertoire from a wide range of styles. Not only will this signify a milestone in my 18 years of musical studies, but will provide an enjoyable, emotional experience for the audience members. After all, sharing the soul of a work is the foremost purpose of creating music. This Senior Capstone performance will require me to access my toolbox of skills accumulated through countless lessons, rehearsals, master classes, auditions, competitions, and performances. Not only will this apply to the actual production of flute music, but also performance practices such as etiquette, stage presence, and wearing proper attire. By including works from multiple eras of music, from Classical to Modern, I will exemplify the progression and application of the flute throughout time. On top of this, I will provide myself and listeners proper understanding of the works performed through conducting prior research to be summarized on program notes. Through this, I will be able to provide a stylistically and historically accurate performance with an informed audience.