Flute Study at The Hartt School

Students in Hartt's flute studio are exposed to a comprehensive program designed for the student of superior talent and motivation whose goal is to be a professional performer. In addition to required course work, a performance major consists of three significant elements: performance, pedagogy, and career development. Solo, chamber, and large ensemble opportunities provide ample performance experience. Pedagogy classes ensure that all instrumental performance majors leave Hartt prepared as private teachers. Through classes such as Communicating with an Audience, Building a Music Career, and Orchestral Repertoire Class, students learn career development techniques such as contract negotiation, making a recording, stage presentation, preparation for orchestra auditions, and repertoire selection.

Students study privately with either Janet Arms or Greig Shearer. In addition to weekly private lessons all flute students, regardless of major, attend two hours of Flute Performance Class. The emphasis in this class is on polishing and performing repertoire with piano accompaniment and receiving feedback from fellow students. This time is also used for master classes by visiting artists; recent master classes have been presented by Robert Dick and Rhonda Larsen.

An exciting addition is the new Techniques Class, which meets two mornings a week. Flute students work together on warm-ups, scale studies, exercises, stretching, and good work habits. Students also research composers and repertoire, allowing them to deepen their understanding and appreciation of the music in class and providing them with a model for doing further research on their own.

Professor Arms developed a mentoring system in her studio, pairing each undergraduate student with a graduate flutist. They meet together at least two hours a week to work on duets, any problems revealed in Techniques Class, and the chance to do research with a partner. This gives the graduate students a chance to develop and refine their teaching techniques before leaving school, while the undergraduates benefit from the additional "one-on-one" help in between lessons and get to know fellow flute students more quickly. Pairs rotate every 4 weeks so everyone has the opportunity to meet and work together, creating a true collaborative atmosphere in the flute studio. The students are collegial and supportive, each gaining more from these additional opportunities to participate with their peers than they would on their own.