Since 1985, Offermans has been invited frequently to present a Flute Day for smaller or larger flute groups at music institutions. Such a Flute Day sometimes was scheduled to celebrate the end of the year, however also could take place during the season. With great enjoyment, Wil Offermans developed a personal approach concerning his Flute Day. With the involvement of e.g. ensemble playing, graphic notation and improvisation, he invites and attracts the "young" flutist for a more flexible attitude towards the flute playing and music in general. In this way he has presented his Flute Day at more than hundred music schools e.g. in Holland; Germany; Austria; Belgium; Spain; France; Norway and Japan.

You can see more photos of previous Flute Day events at the Photo Report page. Click here you can download a Flute Day flyer in either English; Dutch; German or Spanish.

Flute Day Contents

In 1995 Musikverlag Zimmermann, Frankfurt, published Offermans’ book For the Younger Flutist in a German-English edition. It has been translated into Japanese and published by Zenon Tokyo. The book collects 10 improvisational pieces and games for flute groups as well as flute solo and is the main starting point for a Flute Day by Wil Offermans.

Aiming towards flutists of any age and level, the Flute Day focuses on creativity, spontaneity and enjoyment in music and basically includes the following elements:

Workshop Game Pieces: with smaller groups working on some game-pieces from the book For the Younger Flutist
Thumpy the thumb flute: a most simple and enjoyable flute developed by Wil Offermans
A Tutti Piece: like Offermans' composition Jungle Dance (ZM31430) for bottles and flutes
The Flute Story "With the Flute around the World": inspired by his world travelling, Wil Offermans talks about and presents a collection of flutes from various parts of the world. Also the participators can enjoy playing these flutes
Presentation Concert: with all participators for friends and others

1. Workshop Game Pieces

In the workshops of a Flute Day Offermans works with his game pieces from the book For the Younger Flutist. Here, you find a short description on the ten pieces of this book.

		1. The First Step deals with some basic musical ideas in 4 parts: loud-soft (dynamic), many-few (density), high-low (pitch), short-long (articulation) in both traditional as well as graphic notation.
		2. Have Fun! is a graphic notation, which extends the idea of the first piece and allows a more personal interpretation.
		3. The Joy Meter makes you play your own score. You make this score by daily marking your happiness - or sadness - in a graphic during two weeks.
		4. The Conductor is an ensemble game-piece, where the musicians react to and interpret the improvised gestures of the conductor. Also, the students can perform as “the conductor” and experience sound and movement.
		5. Holes and Choices has some basic improvisation in a traditional notation.
		6. Wind Trio introduces harmonics and wind tones.
		7. One-Line Story for 16 flutists combines improvisation and interpretation. The score - like a movie - consists out of 16 images, together explaining a simple but rigorous story.
		8. Labyrinth is a labyrinth game, where the player, while “walking” through the labyrinth, performs special fingerings (notated with fingering diagrams, so without indicating the possible pitches).
		9. Stop & Go is a movement game for a group. The players walk simultaneously and seemingly chaotic in the space, but follow some simple but strict rules.
		10. In Gamelan Style is another ensemble piece with some strong interactive elements. The score is constructed around a series of short pentatonic, repeating melodies and is inspired by the Indonesian traditional music.

2. Thumpy the thumb flute

Thumpy the thumb flute is a relatively simple instrument with a surprisingly beautiful and natural sound. This new flute has been designed and developed by Wil Offermans. In his Flute Day - whenever possible - Offermans provides sufficient Thumpy flutes for all to play instantly with larger groups and to create a most enjoyable performance.

3. A Tutti Piece

Jungle Dance is an ensemble composition for a minimum of 10 flutists. However, the piece is very suitable to perform with larger ensembles of even more then 100 players. Flutes, when possible including alto flute and bass flute, perform the melodic and harmonic part. The rhythmic part of Jungle Dance is performed on non-pitched bottles in various sizes as well as bird whistles. One or more advanced students can play the flute solo. The piece has a pretty melody (take care: once it enters your ear, it stays there for at least three days!) and the various parts have different levels, from basic till advanced. During the Flute Day the piece Jungle Dance usually is performed at the end of the presentation concert. Jungle Dance has been published by Musikverlag Zimmermann, Frankfurt and can be heard on the CD The Magic Flute.

4. The Flute Story "With the Flute around the World"

A Flute Day with Wil Offermans: World Flute Story

With the Flute around the World is a flute story and demonstration by Wil Offermans, in which various flutes from around the globe – especially bamboo flutes – are being introduced. With a huge world map in the background and referring to his travels, he speaks about the different cultures he could visit. Also, the audience can try some of these exotic instruments themselves. The story, which lasts about 40 minutes, is usually appreciated by the students with great enthusiasm.

5. Presentation Concert

A Flute Day usually ends with a presentation concert for friends, parents and others. Here the various groups present the game-piece, which they studied in the workshop. Also Wil Offermans performs a flute solo, possibly on his contrabass-flute. The presentation ends with the tutti piece e.g. Jungle Dance.

Proposed Flute Day Schedule

Here is a proposal for the schedule of a one day event. Obviously, this is schedule can be addapted to any special request, extended to more days, more or less groups, etc. For a printable version of this schedule click here.

flute_day_schedule

More Information & Contact

Concerning more practical details or more information, please feel free to send a message to Wil Offermans here.