The Louisiana flute circle has moved from quarterly meetings to monthly meetings and has a new meeting place. Thanks to the efforts of Charlie Myers, we are now able to meet the first Wednesday of every month at Whole Foods Market in the shopping center at Corporate and Jefferson. Charlie has also been hard at work finding performance opportunities for us. Thanks Charlie!

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The first time I met Peter Phippen, he was giving a class on advanced techniques at Zion Canyon Art and Flute Festival, October 2006. A class member asked him to play “Lubbock Lullaby.” I was captivated by the piece. That evening I heard him in concert. Having only enough cash for one cd, I knew he would be the artist I bought from. I asked him which cd was his favorite. He without hesitation chose “Shadows of Dawn” due to be released in a few weeks. I purchased it and had him sign it.

I brought home “Shadows of Dawn” and was not disappointed. Peter Phippen plays a variety of world flutes with exquisite skill. Each track highlights the distinct sounds of the chosen instrument.

I returned to Zion in June 2007. Peter Phippen was once again in concert there. I was still haunted by the memory of him playing “Lubbock Lullaby” which appears on “Night Songs” as “Lullaby.” I again spoke with Peter as I purchased “Night Songs” and asked him to autograph it. He told me “Night Songs” was his favorite. I laughed and told him that wasn’t what he said last October. We had a nice conversation and I happily took my new purchase home.

“Night Songs” is well named. It is a compilation of songs on various world flutes each more soothing and relaxing than the one before. As each song blends into the next, I find myself drifting on a soft cloud of sound soothing me toward sleep.

It takes three days to drive home from Zion. My husband and I will listen to the newly purchased cds as we drive. I have quite a collection now and it grows with each festival I attend. “Night Songs” was one we joked about never playing in the car. It is just too relaxing. After driving all day, however, it is just the thing to unwind body and spirit.

Peter Phippen’s haunting melodies on such a variety of flutes will keep him a favorite of mine for years to come.

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Byron and Paula attended Musical Echoes the last week of April this year. They attended workshops, bought CDs of some of the performers there, and two new flutes! (In this photo, Byron shows off his new flute by Brent Haines.) It was a time of learning, fun, and most of all, music. For photos of the event, see our new photo page.

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While shopping recently at Auto Zone, I came across this set of Kokopelli stickers for the car window. I’ve seen a lot of Kokopelli items in the southwestern states, but was surprised to see him here in Louisiana. The stickers were just too cute to pass up. Byron and I each put one on our vehicles. Now Kokopelli rides with us wherever we go.

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Twohawks and Charlie “Crowdog” Myers performed in the St. Charles Parish Bi-Centennial program in Destrehan, Louisiana. The program, a stage play, was a one hour program on the history of St. Charles Parish over the last 200 years and the play included snippets of history beginning with the Native Americans.

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Although our flute circle has not had a meeting since December, member Paula Ellis has not been idle. She has been busily converting children’s songs and other familiar tunes into Nakai tabulature. Why has she taken on this project?

“There are a number of reasons,” she says. “I have learned so much more about TAB and why some songs fit the Native American flute and others don’t seem to work. Also, playing even a ’simple’ song like Row, Row. Row Your Boat, gets me playing notes in the extended range of the flute that I don’t often use. A song like Alley Cat keeps fingers nimble. It’s a real challenge for me. Of course, I also want to share what I’ve learned. Most of these songs are great for beginners and may make it easier for teaching children simple tunes they recognize.”

What’s next for this member? “I’ll still add songs once in a while,” Paula replies “but for now I’m working on stretching my skills playing the flute. These songs help, but I’m also working on composing songs of my own. I’m looking forward to attending workshops at Zion Canyon Art and Flute Festival in June. After that, I’ll just have to see where my flute journey takes me next.”

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The Louisiana Flute Circle has been changing the look of it’s website. Beginning in December, we changed from a flash based design to one that is CSS based. What does that mean? Easier updates and maintenance. Since the basic design was uploaded, we have responded to requests for members’ bios, updated the performance page and now have a page for articles! In the next few days we will begin a page of music recordings you can use to expand your repertoire. Keep checking back for more. Want to contribute? E-mail us.

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We believe Robin “White Deer in Autumn” Myers may have made a bit of history. This past Sunday, Jan 7 at 1pm Central Standard Time, Robin “White Deer In Autumn” Myers gave what may be the very first trans-continental flute lesson! Using Skype(tm), a web-based communication application that allows video-phone functionality, she gave a Native American flute lesson to a friend who lives in Israel (where the time was 9pm), with more lessons to follow. Both had a good visit and a great time playing Native American flutes!

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Jeff sent these photos showing the details of his egret and bluebird flutes. If you are interested in his work, he can be contacted at jefftruax@cox.net

Of course, he also crafts fine cedar flutes in a variety of keys.

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At the December meeting of the flute circle, Byron got to show off the flute he made at Zion, and the one Paula purchased. Then our resident flute maker, Jeffrey Truax arrived with his latest projects. He has expanded his repertoire to include carved bird ends. Each meeting he has something new to show and his skills continue to improve by leaps and bounds.

Charlie “Crowdog” Myers, who is the percussionist on the two Twohawks CDs, gave some hints on choosing a djembe. Our usual jam session followed with each person having the opportunity to show what they have been learning. The session closed with a couple of Christmas carols played by Twohawks.

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