This May’s Flutes in France was my 20th course, and the second in our own beautiful venue in southwest France. When we moved to France in 2020 the vision was to create our own superb studio where we could run our flagship international flute courses for adults (you can read about that journey here). This year, twelve participants and their partners joined us for a week of fabulous flute playing. The every day was packed with flute choir sessions, technique classes, individual lessons and accompaniment coaching, chamber music – and some amazing French food and wine. It wasn’t all work and no play though. The weather was perfect, and we also enjoyed a visit to a nearby medieval bastide village, al fresco dining in the square, and a memorable evening picnic by the river in Allemans-du-Dropt. The week concluded with a concert in the 12th Église de Saint-Eutrope, which is famed for its frescos. The church has a wonderful acoustic and the vaulted stones rang with the harmonies of Bach, Brahms, and Fauré and the applause of an enthusiastic audience.
And did the participants have as much fun as John Alley and me? They must have done. Every single place on next May’s course (5-10 May 2024) was booked before the first post-concert glass of champagne had been finished!
