Metropolitan Flute Fantasy

Metropolitan Flute Fantasy was composed to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Metropolitan Flute Festival in Boston, MA. The opening theme of this celebratory fantasy is inspired by Boston composer George Whitefield Chadwick’s Jubilee from Symphonic Sketches. After a lyrical middle section, the piece concludes in grand Boston style – a mash-up with snippets of Yankee Doodle and Sousa’s Stars and Stripes combine for an exciting conclusion.

These Boston musical influences are very fitting. George Chadwick studied at the New England Conservatory, later returned to teach at the conservatory, and ultimately became the Director of New England Conservatory from 1897-1930.  The Metropolitan Flute Orchestra was founded by Paige Dashner Long at New England Conservatory in 1998. In 2002, Paige began the highly successful Summer Metropolitan Flute Festival, which continued every summer at New England Conservatory, until the pandemic in 2020.  After a two year hiatus due to the pandemic, the Summer Metropolitan Flute Festival emerged again in 2023 at the new Groton Hill Music Center in Groton, Massachusetts.

When thinking about Boston, what comes to mind is the Boston Pops playing a 4th of July concert on the Esplanade.  Of course every Boston 4th of July concert includes Sousa’s Stars and Stripes.  Another Boston image is Yankee Doodle.  Since south Boston has a large Irish influence, this fantasy combines a short phrase of Yankee Doodle in the style of an Irish jig.  Mix in a little of Stars and Stripes and you have a Boston celebration!

Metropolitan Flute Fantasy has flexible instrumentation for performance by either traditional flute choir (piccolo, flutes 1-3, alto flute, bass flute and optional contrabass flute with optional percussion) or low flutes ensemble (1 concert flute in place of piccolo, alto flutes 1-3, plus a 4th alto flute part from the traditional flute choir setting, as well as bass flute and optional contrabass flute with optional percussion from the traditional flute choir setting.)  Parts for both settings are included.

ContraJam!

For the 2024 International Low Flutes Festival (Washington, DC)

Setting the world record for the largest number of contrabass flutes in performance, ContraJam! was premiered during the 2024 International Low Flutes Festival in Washington DC. The ensemble, directed by Paige Dashner Long, was comprised of 40 contrabass flutists from all over the world, including sub contrabass flutes and double contrabass flutes. There was not a single piccolo, concert flute, alto flute or bass flute in this premiere performance.  It was truly a ContraJam!  This piece also is great for traditional flute choirs, quartets and quintets, described below.

 With a jammin’ blues groove, the piece begins with contrabass and/or bass flute soli section.  Soon, the entire ensemble joins in with percussive sounds, adding to the groove.  Next comes a very sticky sassy-frass jelly tune that will have you tapping your toes.  ContraJam! ends with an energetic Gospel marmalade, including a jammin’ bass line.  This composition is filled with memorable tunes of jams, jellies and marmalades that will become musically well “preserved” in our minds.

With flexible instrumentation, this can be performed by flute choirs or by quartet or quintet of like instruments. The piccolo part is optional, as well as the 3rd flute part and sub contrabass flute part. For more flexibility, there is a C alternate alto part included for the alto flute.  So, a quartet or quintet of C flutes could perform or alternatively a quartet or quintet of instruments in G could perform, using the C instrument parts.

Below and Beyond! Three Subterranean Vignettes

Below and Beyond! for Low Flute Choir by Paige Dashner Long. Below and Beyond! was premiered during the 2023 National Flute Association Convention in Phoenix, Arizona. The beautiful tonal colors of the alto flute, bass flute, contrabass flute and beyond, musically depict the mystery and excitement of what lies below the earth’s surface. In each of the three distinct sections of this one movement composition, low flutes are featured, transporting you deep into the caverns of the subterranean world. Many have heard the expression “above and beyond”, well, now it’s time to go “Below and Beyond!”.

There are two different settings of Below and Beyond!

- Traditional flute choir, scored for concert flute 1-3, alto flute, bass flute 1 and bass flute 2/optional contrabass flute;

- Low flutes setting, scored for alto flutes 1-3 (in place of concert flute 1-3), plus alto flute part of traditional setting, bass flute 1 and bass flute 2/optional contrabass flute

Both settings are included in the printed music by ALRY Publications. You will notice some slight adaptations in the two different settings. These are found in the triplets in measures 29 and 31 of the 3rd flute part of the traditional setting and the 3rd alto flute part of the low flutes setting.

Welcome to the wonders of the world below the surface!

Deck Out the Halls: A traditional Welsh carol with a modern twist

This traditional Welsh carol has been given a fresh, modern twist in this fun new composition for the holidays.  Deck Out the Halls is an audience fav! Performers also are excited to play this entertaining and lively music.

There are two different settings of Deck Out the Halls:

- Traditional flute choir, scored for concert flute 1-3, alto flute, bass flute/contrabass flute;

- Low flute choir, scored for alto flutes 1-4 and bass flute/contrabass flute;

Both settings are included in the printed music by ALRY Publications, however, it should be noted that the low flute choir setting is one whole-step higher than the traditional flute choir setting. Thus, they are not compatible with each other and should not be combined.

Bach to the Fluture: A Modern Celebration of Famous Composers by Johann Sebastian Bach

Bach to the Fluture is a modern celebration of famous Bach compositions melding the beautiful melodies and harmonies of some of JS Bach’s most famous music with contemporary rhythms and styles.

The first movement, Sebastian Sheep, is based on the well known “Sheep May Safely Graze” from Cantata No 208. Johann Sebastian Bach was commissioned to compose this piece for the birthday of Duke Christian in 1713.

The inspiration for the second movement, Big Eoin Kisses the Blarney Stone, comes from the popular Bourree 1 from Bach’s unaccompanied Cello Suite No 3 in C major, BWV 1009. This Bourree, a lively and happy dance, is paired with Irish accompaniment and the popular Irish jig “The Blarney Pilgrim”. Eoin is an Irish name for John or Johann and is pronounced similar to Owen.

The final movement, Johnny B Bach, combines the famous Minuet in G, BWV 114 from the Notebook of Anna Magdalena Bach crafted with an original rhythmic motif inspired by Chuck Berry’s Johnny B Goode. During Bach’s time, it was common for artistic families, whether musical, artistic, or literary, to create their own family albums. Three of these were discovered in the Bach household. The first notebook was dedicated to Bach’s first son, Wilhelm Friedemann Bach in 1720, prior to Johann Sebastian’s marriage to his second wife, Anna Magdalena in 1721. The second and third notebooks were gifted to Anna and are comprised of a wide variety of music, from chorales and arias to solo harpsichord pieces. The Minuet in G, BWV 114 is from the second notebook to Anna in 1725. This notebook begins with a pair of movements from a harpsichord suite by Christian Petzold - the Minuet in G Major, followed by the Minuet in G Minor. Originally thought to be composed by JS Bach, it was discovered in 1970 that these two minuets were composed by Petzold.

Bach to the Fluture is scored for concert flutes 1-4, alto flute, bass flute with optional contrabass flute. For low flute enthusiasts, alternate alto flute parts are included as a substitute for the concert flute parts 1-4, providing a low flutes setting.

Dancing Dessert Suite

WINNER, LOW FLUTES SETTING, NATIONAL FLUTE ASSOCIATION'S NEWLY PUBLISHED MUSIC COMPETITION, 2021

Dancing Dessert Suite is a delectable and delightful composition in three delicious movements that combines musically the excitement of travel with scrumptious desserts. The first movement, Chocolate Truffle Tango, takes you to Argentina, beginning sofly in the anticipation of the exciting and dramatic bravura to come. A modern twist on a Viennese classic, Sacher Torte Waltz, is an elegant, whirling, fast paced waltz, guaranteed to make you want a slice of this famous Austrian chocolate torte with apricot jam and luscious chocolate glaze. Pure energetic fun describes the rapid pace of Lemon Merengue Pie, with musical roots from the Dominican Republic. It's time to put on your dancing shoes!

Dancing Dessert Suite is available in three different settings;

• Traditional Flute Choir (ALRY Publications FC508) scored for piccolo, flutes 1-3, alto flute, bass flute with optional contrabass flute and percussion

• Low Flutes Setting (ALRY Publications FC526) scored for 1 concert flute in place of piccolo, alto flutes 1-4, bass flute with optional contrabass flute and percussion

• Solo Flute and Piano Setting (ALRY Publications FP184)

Flutenado

HONORABLE MENTION, NATIONAL FLUTE ASSOCIATION'S NEWLY PUBLISHED MUSIC COMPETITION, 2020

Flutenado is a flutistic meteorological musical wonder composed by Paige Dashner Long, inspired by Florida storms and beautiful beaches. One has heard of “sharknado” and is familiar with tornado, so Flutenado is a flutey combination of both. At the beginning you will hear sounds of the ocean, complete with bird calls.. A calm, lazy day at the beach soon changes as storm clouds roll in, with gusts of wind subsiding into moments of calm. Then, the storm breaks loose into a flurry of rain, wind and waves. With relief, the storm ends quickly, just as the daily Florida summer thunderstorms pop up and then pass through quickly.

Published by ALRY, Flutenado has flexible instrumentation for performance by either traditional flute choir (piccolo, flutes 1-3, alto flute, bass flute, and optional contrabass flute) or low flutes ensemble (1 concert flute in place of piccolo, alto flutes 1-4, bass flute, and optional contrabass flute).

Lowly Conversations for Solo Low Flute and Flute Choir

FINALIST, NATIONAL FLUTE ASSOCIATION'S NEWLY PUBLISHED MUSIC COMPETITION, 2021

Lowly Conversations was composed for the 2nd International Low Flutes Festival in Urayasu, Japan. It is a charming three movement work that features a solo low flute in C or G, accompanied by flute ensemble. The first movement, Metrically Speaking, is an energetic piece that is constantly changing meters. The second movement, Whispering Sweet Nothings, showcases the beautiful lyrical qualities of a low flute. Then, to complete the music that everyone is talking about, Rap It Up!, finishes the dialogue with contemporary flute techniques that will keep the conversation going long after the music stops!

Contrafusion! A Fusion of Musical Styles Featuring Low Flutes

As part of the Falls House Press Metropolitan Flute Orchestra Series, Contrafusion! is a unique addition to the flute ensemble repertoire. Contrafusion! features the low flutes (with optional Contrabass flute), and may be performed with a full flute choir, mixed flute quintet, or mixed flute quartet. The fusion of musical styles in this original work offers a charming opportunity to showcase the qualities of the low flutes in ensemble. Contrafusion! is scored for traditional flute choir instrumentation of Concert Flutes 1-3, Alto Flute, Bass Flute, with optional Contrabass Flute.  Contrafusion! is also available in a low flutes setting scored for Alto Flutes 1-3, Bass Flute and optional Contrabass Flute. This energetic low flutes setting was used as the promo music for the 2020 International Low Flutes Festival in Urayasu, Japan.

Eventide Soliloquy

WINNER, NATIONAL FLUTE ASSOCIATION'S NEWLY PUBLISHED MUSIC COMPETITION, 2012

Eventide Soliloquy, by Paige Dashner Long, is an original composition that features each instrument of the flute family in a musical soliloquy. The piece showcases the beautiful colors of a flute orchestra as well as each different type of flute, in a variety of musical styles. Scored for piccolo, concert flutes 1-4, alto flute, bass flute with optional contrabass flute, this new work is a great addition to flute choir repertoire and is published by Falls House Press.

The inspiration and dedication of this piece is in loving memory of Sean Callan MacDonald, the composer’s son, who died unexpectedly August, 2010. Eventide Soliloquy is Sean's life in song. Life begins during a swirling January snowstorm as the alto flutes play a beautiful, gentle melody. The bass flutes answer in response before the entire ensemble joins in the beginning theme. The opening theme consists of the musical letters of Sean's name (E- A perfect 4th interval) Next, you will hear a very happy, bright theme, as you imagine an energetic child, Sean, skipping along enjoying life. As this allegro theme, gently slows, the contrabass/bass flute plays a mournful melody, depicting the sadness of a young teenager being diagnosed with a difficult disease, type 1 diabetes. Eight bars later, the piccolo enters the dialogue of the contrabass/bass soliloquy with a beautiful obbligato melody on top of the contrabass. These are tears of a mother, crying for her son. But, we get on with life and make the most of the precious time we have together. Next enters a jazzy blues section where you can see Sean smile and picture him improvising on trombone. As the jazz slows, another beautiful melodic soliloquy, played by the concert flute and inspired by one of Sean’s favorite Mussorgsky themes, ends the work with a very calm and gentle melody, as Sean was such a gentle spirit.

Trained as a classical trombonist, music educator and jazz musician, Sean had a great sense of humor and a sparkling wit, with an amazing repertoire of original silly songs. He inspired hundreds of young musicians through his creative teaching approaches and lively performances. This piece celebrates Sean’s life, just as his presence here with us has touched our hearts. The Metropolitan Flute Orchestra, in summer residence at New England Conservatory in Boston, Massachusetts, premiered Eventide Soliloquy during the 10th anniversary season of the New England Conservatory Summer Metropolitan Flute Festival. On July 24, 2011, at 5:00pm, in New England Conservatory’s historic Jordan Hall, the Metropolitan Flute Orchestra performed the premiere of Eventide Soliloquy. This is so fitting as, Sean performed many concerts on the Jordan Hall stage during his brief life, as well attending his mother’s concerts in Jordan Hall.

The cover picture of the Falls House Press publication is a moon rise over Flagler Beach in Florida, one of Sean’s favorite beaches.

At the end of the piece, the piccolo has an option of playing the final B an octave lower. If choosing the higher B, one might try the following optional fingering, which is very stable and easy to control. LH 1,2,3 RH 1,2,3 No L thumb or R pinky. Optional beginning ends at the third beat of measure 8. The work can simply begin with the alto flute solo at the pick up to measure 9.