Snow flutists shine in Sonata Competition
Robert Stevens
Managing editor
3-16-2017
SALT LAKE CITY—Four of Snow College’s finest flutists traveled to the National Flutist Association’s Annual Sonata Competition and earned honors in the process.
The event took place on Saturday, Feb. 25 at Westminster College in Salt Lake City. The Snow flutists who attended the event were Jamie Baker, of Layton; McKenzie Howell, of Manti; Anna Clawson, of Aurora, Sevier County; and Jennifer Richards, of Payson.
The event consisted of two parts for the girls, who were all competing in the highest division: College/Professional. According to one of the girls’ teachers, Dr. Elaine Jorgensen, the sonata competition portion of the event had flutists from all over the state performing for Nickolas Duchamps, renowned French flutist from the Paris Conservatory of Music.
Baker won first place in the competition. She says her and her competitors were given 16 minutes to perform two classical flute pieces and were judged on each separately.
“Even if I hadn’t won, it was such an honor to be able to compete in front of such a renowned master flutist,” Baker said.
Manti’s own Howell took third place in the competition.
“They are very talented and work hard,” Jorgensen said. “It really shows what our music students can do at Snow.”
The second portion of the event was the master class portion, where Duchamps himself sat down and did a one-on-one critique and learning session with the flutists.
“It was really cool to learn about the different sound techniques used by different cultures and nationalities,” Baker said.
There were also workshops to attend for the flutists during the two-day event. Baker said she enjoyed the workshops, which were not all focused on “traditional” flute playing. One of the workshops focused on learning to “beatbox,” or using your flute to make percussion-like notes.
“It was not traditional at all,” Baker said. “It kind of taught you how to use your flute as a drum set. It’s difficult, and it’s not in a lot of flute music yet, but it’s starting to be integrated into more contemporary music.”
Howell says the workshops helped her progress as a musician.
“After we had come back, I felt more relaxed and could breathe better,” Howell said. “The classes they offered there were very helpful and had ultimately helped me play better.”
Baker will be playing in a winners recital on April 21, where she will also be recognized for her recent win at the Sonata Competition.
