SRU Flute Ensemble performs at national convention

September 28, 2021

The Slippery Rock University Flute Ensemble was selected to perform at the 49th Annual National Flute Association Convention, a virtual event that took place last month. During their performance, the ensemble premiered three new pieces they commissioned from composers Robert Traugh, Nicole Chamberlain and Clint Bleil. Bleil is a 2016 SRU graduate with a degree in music education.

Directed by Cassandra Eisenreich, assistant professor of music, the SRU Flute Ensemble includes 11 members. Recordings of their performances of “Breaking Glass,” by Chamberlain; “When the Fog Lifts,” by Traugh; and “The Lovely, The Dreamers, and She,” by Bleil, are available online.

The National Flute Association Convention is annually attended by more than 3,000 flutists, composers, flute scholars, flute makers, music publishers and flute enthusiasts from around the world. The event was conducted virtually due to the ongoing pandemic. Founded in 1972, the NFA has 5,000 members from 50 countries and the convention celebrates diversity among the associations members and features varied musical traditions including jazz, world music, baroque flute, flute choir, low flutes and piccolo.