15th annual flute day set Saturday in Peru

The 15th annual Flute Day is set 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 26, for flutists of all ages and ability levels at the First Congregational Church of Peru, 1431 Fourth St.

“It may look a little different than previous years with masks, sanitizer, etc. but we are excited to be able to host the annual Flute Day again in person with a great lineup of clinicians and artists,” said Sue Gillio, coordinator of the event.

Guest clinicians/artists include Suyeon Ko, flute professor at Western Illinois University; Gerald Carey, flute professor emeritus, Western Illinois University; and the Lyrebird Ensemble featuring flutist, Ellen Huntington; North Park University and Lillian Lau, harpist.

All-day participants must be vaccinated for this event, which is $35. The event includes interactive workshops with professional flutists, on-site lunch, and ticket to the Lyrebird Ensemble Concert at 3 p.m. Flute Day participants will open the 3 p.m. concert.

The Lyrebird Ensemble concert is scheduled for 3 p.m. at the First Congregational Church of Peru. It is open to the public. Masks are required.

Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for students kindergarten through college with ID.

The event is sponsored by Miller Group Charitable Trust, Music Suite 408 and the Illinois Valley Flute Ensemble with additional support of North Central Illinois ARTWorks.

Registration materials can be found at: www.408fineartsfactory.com under more caption. For more information or have questions, call 815-223-4408. Walk-ins welcome but it is appreciated to call ahead so organizers know how to plan.

The Lyrebird Ensemble is an innovative flute and harp duo based in Chicago. The ensemble was formed in 2006, when flutist Ellen Huntington and harpist Lillian Lau began collaborating as members of the Quad City Symphony Orchestra. They are dedicated to performing lesser known repertoire written specifically for flute and harp from the late 18th century to the present day. Their debut recording, “Taking Flight” introduces a unique program of virtuosic compositions for the duo from the modern era.

The ensemble has appeared throughout the United States, including the Dame Myra Hess Memorial Concert Series, live broadcasts on Chicago’s WFMT Fine Arts Radio, and at several National Flute Association Conventions and American Harp Society National Conferences. They were featured artists at the IV International Harp Competition and Festival in Mexico City in 2016. They also present workshops on collaboration and lecture-recitals about the history and repertoire of the duo. In 2013 they commissioned and premiered “Orleans Strut” by Canadian Composer Cameron Wilson, a piece celebrating the musical styles of New Orleans. They founded Lyrebird Editions to publish quality works for flute and harp.

Huntington has a career as a soloist, chamber musician, teacher, and orchestral musician. A Miyazawa Artist, she is second flutist with the Quad City Symphony Orchestra and has also performed with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra. She has been a featured artist at the Kennedy Center, Chicago Cultural Center, Augustana College, and the University of Chicago and has performed at several National Flute Association Conventions. Huntington is on the faculty of North Park University and previously taught at Loyola University Chicago.

Lau is in demand as an orchestral musician, educator, solo harpist and chamber music recitalist in Chicago and the Midwest. Her orchestral engagements include performing as guest principal harpist on tour with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Grant Park Music Festival, Ravinia Festival, National Repertory Orchestra (Colorado), and in major concert halls throughout Europe. As a soloist, she has performed at the World Harp Congress in Switzerland, Universidad Federal de Minas Gerais of Brazil and the Conservatorio de Músicade Puerto Rico. Lillian Lau is the principal harpist of Quad City and Elgin Symphony orchestras. She has participated in critically acclaimed performances with Placido Domingo, Charles Dutoit, Sir James Galway, Riccardo Muti, Samuel Ramey, John Williams, Pinchas Zuckerman and popular touring artists in major venues.