WMFA Ensembles

West Michigan Flute Orchestra

an ensemble with Gorgeous depth and unique sound

 
WMFO Director: Julie Sooy

WMFO Director: Julie Sooy

West Michigan Flute Orchestra -

As one of the largest continuously rehearsing flute orchestras in the world, the West Michigan Flute Orchestra provides an excellent musical experience, gorgeous depth, and unique sound.

The West Michigan Flute Orchestra creates a space for all players to improve skills, obtain exposure to other flutists, new music and sounds, and a positive learning environment.

A Word from the Director:

This extraordinary group is full of amazing flutists with a passion for playing flute in an excellent ensemble. Their care for each other and the music we make is uplifting week after week.

“Who knew that low, middle and high-pitched flutes could blend together so beautifully? We truly are a flute “orchestra” and being part of it is a joy!
”
— Stephanie Measzros
The West Michigan Flute Orchestra performed two movements of Pirates Escapade, by Christina Wetzler, on Nov. 10, 2019 at First Reformed Church in Holland, MI...

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Planning on attending the Great Lakes Flute Festival this weekend? Looking for a unique concert experience? Be sure to invite your friends and family to the final concert at 5:00 pm this Saturday, January 28, 2023 in the Louis Armstrong Theatre in th
Bring your flute and be prepared to warm up quickly and efficiently! This french style group technique class will give flutists a chance to warm up through traditional tone and technique warm-up exercises. Dr. Abigail Walsh will lead exercises of thr
The 5:00 performance of the Great Lakes Flute Festival is free and open to the public! Come see flute ensembles from Grand Rapids Community College, Grand Valley State University, the West Michigan Flute Orchestra, and a piece with ALL Festival parti
Of the performances you have given—or of the repertoire you have studied—recall the one with which you are most musically satisfied. Why was it most satisfying?  In an interactive and collaborative setting, Melissa Grey and Dr. Josh
Michigan is home to many talented and inspiring flutists and this afternoon recital promises to be a beautiful and eclectic performance! Performance at 3:30 at the Great Lakes Flute Festival held at Grand Valley State University on January 28, 2023.
Flute music in South America has a history that spans back to the Incas and is steeped in regional traditions across the continent. Each region has dances and songs that are common to the way of life for each village and city, and the role of the flu
Have you or your students ever wanted to try an alto, bass, or contrabass flute, but haven’t had the opportunity? Now is your chance! The Great Lakes Flute Festival will be held at GVSU in the Haas Center for Performing Arts on January 28 and w
Join WMFA board member Karen Betz-Griewahn and students for a presentation featuring lesser-known solo flute works that are fun, interesting to play, and accessible to flutists of intermediate to advanced abilities. From great study pieces to other
Carmen Maret will present an interactive workshop on how to build creative thinking and put it into action with the flute. She will explore with participants the working definition of creativity and look at the applications and benefits of sharing mu
Join performers Paula and John Kasica for “A Short Tour Around the World”. Paula and John have toured the world as "WINDFIRE: Flute & Percussion Spectacular" and they recently released two CDs of their favorite works for flu
WMFA board members met today for a long term planning meeting! We are excited to be hosting the Great Lakes Flute Festival at the end of the month and look forward to providing more educational activities, commissioning new works for flute orchestra,
Calling all flute students, teachers, and performers of all ages and levels. Visit www.westmichiganfluteassociation.com to learn about all the musical and educational offerings of this special event. Connect with your West Michigan Flute community, e
In this presentation, GVSU flutist/composer performance major Christian Glascock will go through the composition process of his first self-made album “In The Blink of an Eye”. From the equipment that he used, to how the melodies were writ
In 2020, Dr. Martha Councell-Vargas, Professor of Flute at WMU, assembled a team of flutists, including her former teacher, Leone Buyse, Professor of Flute at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music, and WMU flute students of color Sarahi He
GLFF Presenter: Trey Bradshaw @treybradshaw95 Have you ever felt like you are constantly rushing to prepare students for the next performance or audition? Have you ever gotten frustrated when you revisit an old concept with a student and it seems l
The West Michigan Flute Association is getting excited for the premiere Great Lakes Flute Festival on January 28, 2023!The roster of presenters and performers is on our website and we look forward to featuring the fantastic flutists right here leadin
 

collaborations & COMmissions:

“WMFA has commissioned over 20 works by notable composers.”
 
 

Collaborations


Collaborations with

Holland Chorale (2015 & 2017),

Ars Voce (2015),

GRCC Guitar Ensemble (2014),

Hawks and Owls String Band (2016);

Alphorngruppe (2014);

Folias (2018)

Commissions

WMFA has commissioned over 20 works by notable composers.

David Wells, Tag 1997

Richard Cerchia, Titania’s Dreams, 1999

David Wells, Ballgames, 2000

Catherine McMichael, Legend of Sleeping Bear, 2003

David Wells, Caterpillar, 2004

Darlene Dugan, Reflections on Bonnie Doon, 2005

David Wells, Sicilienne for Cheryl, 2007

Darlene Dugan, Flint Hills Memories 2008

Kelly Via, ‘Cross the Wide Missouri 2008

Matt H. Doran, Variations and Scherzo 2010

Valerie Coleman, Pontchartrain, 2011

Kelly Via, Remembrances, 2011

Ken Kreuzer, Crossroads 2012

Kathleen Mayne, Royal Concerto for Flute Quartet and Flute Orchestra, 2013

David Wells, Rondo for Otto & Marie, for Flutes and Alphorns, by David L. Wells, 2013

Jenni Brandon, America Belongs to Us, 2015

David Wells, Dugie’s Rag, 2016

Theo Ndawillie II, Not The End, 2017

Theo Ndawillie II, A Hoax, 2018

Jonathan Cohen, Blueshift Red,, 2019

Mayne, Mountain Grandeur, 2019

 

New Members

Ready to join this ensemble and improve your flute skills within a group setting?

  1. Contact us for the semester’s rehearsal dates and commitment form (available each July and December for the following fall and spring semesters.)

  2. Check your calendar. The WMFO meets 5-6 times per semester and provides community performances 2-4 times per year. Members are asked to ensure they miss only one rehearsal per semester.

  3. Audition - Auditions are on a rolling basis. Auditions Include

    1. One prepared piece of your choice

    2. One sight-reading piece

  4. See you at our rehearsals!


Ready to join this ensemble?

 

Additional WMFA Activities

 

Upcoming Rehearsals and events

Featured
Great Lakes Flute Festival
Spring Concert