The Flute Roadshow
 Workshop – Downend, Bristol, June 30th 2024

Please Note: Booking is now CLOSED for this event.

An inspirational afternoon for flute players of all ages and abilities.

Sunday 30th June 2024, 1pm to 5pm, 

The Christ Church Centre, Quakers Road, Downend, Bristol BS16 6JG

We are excited to be travelling to Bristol for a Flute Roadshow Workshop! Join leading flute ensemble coach Mel Orriss for a lively and exciting afternoon of flute ensemble playing, suitable for early graders and rusty returners, right through to more confident and advanced players/teachers. (approx. Grade 1-Diploma.)
 
(Booking closes 16th June - download forms below)

What the afternoon will look like

Warm-ups
Ice breaking warm-ups get your bodies and brains ready for the day. Work on your posture, breathing and sound in a supportive group setting.

Meet the Flute Family
An opportunity to get to know some of the more unusual members of the flute family.

Massed flute choir
Be part of the incomparable sound of massed flutes playing together. We‘ll work on a diverse selection of music, and will send you parts suited to your playing level in advance so you get the chance to do a bit of practice.

Q&As
Ever wanted to know how to play high notes quietly, or get a rich sound on your low notes? Stuck on a trill fingering? Now’s your chance to find out answers to all those flute questions in our Q&A session.

Wonderful Winds Pop-Up Shop
We’ll be bringing along a small selection of the Wonderful Winds flutes catalogue; you can also order music in advance and get a special event discount.

Prices

Booking Forms etc.

Completing the form

Why do I need to put my playing level?

This helps us to plan suitable music, so that you won’t feel out of your depth. Don't worry, we won't be testing anyone, and you don’t need to have taken any exams to join us. Please note, the workshops are not suitable for complete beginners (see grade guidelines for details).

I’ve never taken an exam; how do I judge my playing level?

Please click here to see detailed guidelines for judging your approximate Grade. If you’re not sure please contact us and we'll be happy to help.

The booking form mentions C flutes and others, what are they?

For those new to the flute choir world, there are various sizes of flutes within the flute family. The most common of these is the C flute, the one most of us usually play on. If you have a piccolo, alto, bass (or contrabass!), please bring it; we promise you won't play it for the whole day unless you want to.

We’ll have a small number of these other flutes available to use on the day. You don’t need to have played one before, and you won’t have to transpose the music – they’re just like normal flutes, only bigger (or smaller)

Player's Pack

Once booking closes, we’ll email you a Player's Pack containing music for the massed flute choir for you to have a play through, and all the information you will need. You don’t need to bring printed out music with you – we will have parts for each player on the day.

Have any Questions?

Just get in touch – we’re happy to help! 

Mel Orriss (Wonderful Winds): mail@wonderfulwinds.com
07817 703844 

Fiona Hunt: (TuttiFlutti)
fi.hunt@btinternet.com
07817 629691

Reviews

“So amazing to have this Wonderful Winds weekend on our doorstep. We'd definitely sign up again. Thanks for an amazingly well organised event.” 

"We just wanted to say a big thank you for the flute workshop on Saturday - my daughter had a whale of a time with the music and also made 3 new friends which was a bonus! The concert was really impressive and had a lovely relaxed, creative feel about it. She is definitely up for more!"

 “I thought today was amazing! I have learnt loads and really enjoyed myself....I wished it was longer!” 

“‘Picked up some useful breathing tips – still learning after xx years!” 

“Lovely atmosphere and nice bunch of people.”

Your Coach

Mel Orriss

Mel Orriss studied flute at Chetham’s School of Music and then at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama with Peter Lloyd and Kathryn Lukas. As a student she was a semi-finalist in the BBC’s Young Musician of the Year Competition and also toured with the European Community Youth Orchestra.

In 1999 Mel swapped the hectic pace of life as a London musician for an equally hectic life as a musician in Devon. She now teaches flautists of all ages both privately and in some of the region’s schools, coaches flute ensembles and woodwind groups, and is the Assistant Conductor and Woodwind coach of the Devon Youth Symphony and Concert Orchestras. Mel’s passion for arranging and composing led to her co-founding the music publishing company Wonderful Winds in 2010. The company has since built a global reputation for excellence, providing inspiring ensemble music for wind players of all levels worldwide, and its publications have been major prize winners in the National Flute Association (USA) Newly Published Music competition.

Major Commissions

2013 – Shaun Davey’s “The Relief of Derry Symphony” arranged for massed flute bands and soloists, Maiden City Festival, Derry, Northern Ireland.

2014 – “Towards the Blue Horizon” the central piece for The Big Flute Challenge world record, Belfast.

2015 – “Bonny at Morn” for The Big Flute Challenge, Belfast.

2016 – “1.7.16” for the Hamilton Flute Band’s Somme centenary performance, Derry.

Customer Reviews

“...a real joy. Their arrangements are interesting and well prepared, easy to read and very well presented with humour, goodwill and efficiency - a constant miracle.”
Atarah Ben-Tovim, MBE.

“Nobody could fail but to be delighted by all you do - great arrangements”
Liz Childs, Bedfordshire Woodwind Academy.

“I can truly say that you have transformed my working life!”
Liz Fife, Ex-principal Cor Anglais, Royal Opera House; Oboe teacher, Wells Cathedral School.

“The most brilliant arrangements for all abilities - witty, creative and super educational tools! I really don't know where I'd be without them!”
Louise Rayner, Director, Flute Salad and Flute Cocktail, Hampshire.