OUR STORY

OUR STORY

Elizabeth Walker set up ‘Flutes in Tuscany’ to explore all aspects of flute playing, with inspiring tutors, in the breathtakingly beautiful surroundings of Tereglio.

The charming hilltop village exudes calm and tranquillity, but for a week each summer, the villagers are happy to forego peace and quiet while the streets echo to the sound of flute warm ups, rehearsals, lessons, ensembles and concerts.

The course is deliberately kept small so that flautists, young and not quite so young, can work together throughout the week, following individually crafted timetables that include one-on-one tuition, workshops, master classes, ensembles and practice time.

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TUTORS

Elizabeth Walker and Sarah Murphy have worked together for thirty years! They bring their expertise and friendship to the course as they work with the naturally beautiful surroundings to enhance all aspects of flute playing, with a relaxed awareness of technique and musical awareness.

Each year, Elizabeth and Sarah invite a visiting tutor. This year Flutes in Tuscany welcomes Katherine Bryan who will be providing classes and inspiration at the beginning of the course and a concert for us on Saturday.

Course leader
Elizabeth Walker
Course tutor
Sarah Murphy
Guest tutor
Katherine Bryan



WHAT TO EXPECT


Daily timetable Wednesday 3rd – Saturday 6th / Monday 8th – Wednesday 10th

  • Breakfast on the balcony in La Fagiana
  • MORNINGS | group warm up outside on the balcony.
    Individual lessons/opportunity to work with an accompanist or to find a mate for duets/ensembles
    Communal lunch in the village followed by free time (a library of music is provided throughout the course)
  • AFTERNOONS | Masterclasses (including baroque with basso continuo accompaniment)
    Flute Ensembles (Alto and Bass flutes provided).
  • EVENINGS | Supper in local restaurants in or within the vicinity of Tereglio followed by evening activities including concerts/film evening.
  • Wednesday 10th is devoted to rehearsals for the final concert in the large Church of Saint Maria Assunta, in Tereglio.



THE LOCATION


North of Lucca and Pisa, perched high on top of a Tuscan hill, you find the remote and ancient village of Tereglio.  In every direction, there are stunning views of forested hillsides and deep gorges. Accommodation is mostly offered in one characterful, balconied villa, containing six double bedrooms situated around a large three-storey open space, which is used for flute ensembles and master classes. Other smaller houses within the village are also used as teaching/performing spaces, as well as the local church and chapel.

Part of Tereglio’s charm is that it follows the natural contours of the hillside and it consequently has numerous steep streets and paths, some of which are cobbled and uneven. This sadly makes it unsuitable for anyone with significant mobility issues, and suitcases that cannot be easily carried are best avoided.



TESTIMONIALS


In that week I really learnt much things, one of these is my english, and I’m so happy! I learnt much things about baroc flute and jazz, and I had the opportunity to play the alto flute, that I never played before… It was full days of music in a beautiful place with beautiful people.


GIULIA D’AGATA, 16 years old local Italian flautist, 2016

A delight for your senses, Aurally and Visually… I liked the concert in the chapel. I felt that it was like friends playing to friends, very informal and happy… I had never played Bass before and I really enjoyed it. I was surprised at how slow it is at the bottom and I might have to think about that when I am writing any more arrangements.

NIGEL SHORT, Adult flautist from Saudi Arabia, 2017


It has been such a wonderful time all together in Tereglio… The location was really inspiring for music… The thing that I’ve probably Enjoyed most is the companionship; you are all such wonderful persons.


TOMMASO DELLA CROCE, Student, 2016

Join us in Tuscany
3—11 July 2024

Previous Years

  • Flutes in Tuscany 2023

    Tereglio is a peaceful hill-top village in northern Tuscany. One street, one shop, one restaurant, a chapel, and a church, all surrounded by stunning mountain scenery. But once a year a group of flutists fill the village with music. We came from England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland but also Sweden and Italy. Both baroque flutes and modern flutes were represented together with an excellent team of accompanists, Aaron Burrows (piano), Julian Walker (piano/harpsichord) Julianna Antczak (cello) providing basso continuo.

    Read more Flutes in Tuscany 2023

    Flutes in Tuscany 2022

    July 6th – 14th 2022 | Guest tutor Wissam Boustany After a two-year Covid break, what a joy to be back in Tereglio again! Having fund-raised with a 69 miles South Coast Path walk in May, I was delighted to be able to offer THREE Young Artist places – a fully funded place to Daryna BachynskiRead more about Flutes in Tuscany 2022[…]

    Read more Flutes in Tuscany 2022
  • Flutes in Tuscany 2019

    July 13th – 21th 2019 | Guest tutor Philippa Davies Our guest tutor was the amazing Philippa Davies who treated us to some expert teaching – both one to one and in masterclasses and a wonderful recital, performing solos by Paul Reade and Jan Willem Nelleke, Flute Sonata by Taktakishvilli and Cantabile and Presto by RomanianRead more about Flutes in Tuscany 2019[…]

    Read more Flutes in Tuscany 2019

    Flutes in Tuscany 2018

    July 11th – 18th 2018 | Guest tutor Wissam Boustany This year we introduced a course of two halves with a day off in the middle. The course began with a focus on individual lessons and masterclasses with the tutors, Elizabeth, Sarah and Wissam. Improvisation, use of imagination, preparation and breathing were features of theRead more about Flutes in Tuscany 2018[…]

    Read more Flutes in Tuscany 2018
  • Flutes in Tuscany 2017

    July 9th – 16th 2017 | Guest tutor Rowland Sutherland, jazz flautist. Five full days of tuition, four concerts, three Italian flautists, two piano accompanists and one long wonderful week of sunshine. Rowland introduced improvisation and a whistle-stop tour through the Jazz scales and how to swing beats. He was assisted by Jazz percussionist, Floyer SydenhamRead more about Flutes in Tuscany 2017[…]

    Read more Flutes in Tuscany 2017

    Flutes in Tuscany 2016

    July 11th – 17th 2016 | Guest tutor Carlo Ipata, baroque flautist. Our first ever ‘Flutes in Tuscany’ in Tereglio! started with ensembles and group sessions. Elizabeth introduced baroque studies and Sarah led the warm ups in the sunshine on the balcony. Individual lessons and masterclasses began on day two. Jacqueline Sorel, Gestalt Therapist, wasRead more about Flutes in Tuscany 2016[…]

    Read more Flutes in Tuscany 2016