On February 7th, 2010, Wil Offermans presented a Flute Day at the Music School Art4U, Veldhoven, Holland for flute students of both Veldhoven and the music schools of Best-Oirschot, Valkenswaard and Bergeijk-De Kempen. On February 6th he gave an additional workshop Dance with Me at the music school Pulz in Oirschot. Click here to see some photos of the Flute day or the photos of the workshop Dance with Me, or see the photos at the website of Art4U.

On 22-12-2009 Wil Offermans was invited to create and perform a concert as part of the closing ceremony of the Japan-Holland Year at Sakura Concert Hall in Sakura, Chiba, Japan. For this concert Offermans worked with a mixture of local and international artists presenting a variety of program including: Sakura-bayashi ensemble (local festival music with percussion and flute); the Sakura Asunaro Chorus Group; the satsuma-biwa player and singer Junko Ueda, and the Dutch street organ owned by the Sakura Concert Hall. The Japan Holland Year commemorated 400 years of relations between Japan and Holland. For this occasion he composed together with Junko Ueda the song Sakura Sanka.

Musikverlag Zimmermann Frankfurt has published a new composition by Wil Offermans titled Luna y Sierra (ZM 35890). Luna y Sierra a meditative celebration of a moment of natural beauty, enjoyed by the composer during staying in the mountains of Southern Spain. The piece is written for flute solo accompanied by one or more instruments of choice. As a result, the piece can be performed in many different ways. It is suitable for a skilled player whereas the accompanying part can be performed by beginners. Luna y Sierra can be a most challenging for a concert performance as well as a competition. This 10-minute composition has been commissioned by Freunde der Querflöte E.V. as their 'Jahersgabe’ for 2009. For more information and some sound samples click here.

Today, registration has started for the 19th international Flute Summer Course For the Contemporary Flutist by Wil Offermans, which will be held from August 21st until 28th, 2010 in Sayalonga (Malaga), Spain. In this wonderful and inspiring ambiance and a climate of dynamic nature and cultural inspiration Offermans conducts the course, sharing his contemporary approach on flute playing. Main material will be the book For the Contemporary Flutist. Other topics include extended techniques like bamboo tones, harmonics, circular breathing, multi-phonics and whisper tones; sound development; body movement; improvisation in performance and education; ensemble playing; ethnic flutes. The course is open for flute students, flutists and flute teachers, with or without experience in contemporary music. The course usually is visited by flutists from all over the world (click here to see a photo impression and list of past participants). The total fee including all lessons, all the meals and lodging is 475 euro (445 euro if under 25 years). Maximum number of participators is 18. More information and registration at www.flutesummercourse.com.

Video 1: excerpts from Kaze-no-Suiheisen, a 40-minute performance created in 2009 to celebrate the 10th year of 12xHolland as well as the Hirado Holland Year. The project is a concept and creation by Wil Offermans and has been premiered on 22-09-2009 at the Bunka Centre in Hirado, Nagasaki, Japan and with 10 Dutch artists (musicians, dancers, visual artists).


Video 2: The Journey is an improvisation by Wil Offermans (flute) and Kees Wieringa (piano) along both the animations and shadow boxing by Mijke van Griensven, as part of the project-composition Kaze-no-Suiheisen.


Video 3: The Dutch Bridge is a hip hop flute-computer composition by Wil Offermans, as part of the project-composition Kaze-no-Suiheisen. The dance and choreography is by the young Dutch dancer Gavin Viano Fabri.
More information on http://artfestival.12xholland.nl

Continuing from the last year, Wil Offermans - together with Junko Ueda - again joins a most special project combining occidental and oriental troubadour art-styles, new and old: Troubadours Caravane. Concert included Festival Horizon Mediterranee, Narbonne (18/07); Abbaye de Fontcaude, Cazedarnes (13/09) and Le Temple, Vezenobres (25/10). The project is organised by Trob'Art Productions and directed by Gérard Zuchetto. Wil composed the piece Ginyu for this ensemble (video 1). Also whatch the amazing dance by Michel Raji in Morena (video 2; use the ‘menu’ function to view full screen).

Wil Offermans has been touring in Japan from 14 Sep. until 21 Oct. participating various projects including: directing the 12xHolland Art Festival; duo concerts Ueda/Offermans; the BSXCaravan project; flute masterclasses; collaboration with various dancers.


18.09.09 - Nishinobo-ji Temple (Marugame-shi, Kagawa) duo concert Ueda/Offermans including "Wings", a new composition by Ueda/Offermans inspired by the poems of Saigyô.
20.09.09 - Hirado Cultural Centre Concert Hall (Hirado-shi, Nagasaki), duo concert at the symposium about 400 years relation Holland / Japan. Works included "Voices of Nagasaki" and "Voices of Ocean" from Dejima Suite composed by Wil Offermans
22.09.09 - Hirado Cultural Centre Concert Hall (Hirado-shi, Nagasaki), 12xHolland Art Festival including Kaze-no-Suiheisen* (Horizon of Wind) - a music theatre with 10 Dutch artists created and directed by Wil Offermans. (*premiere performance) (see video)
23.09.09 - Tabira Cultural Centre Concert Hall (Hirado-shi, Nagasaki) 12xHolland Art Festival including Kaze-no-Suiheisen (Horizon of Wind) - a music theatre with 10 Dutch artists created and directed by Wil Offermans (see video)
03.10.09 - Dôgo Community Centre (Matsuyama-shi, Ehime) flute workshop
04.10.09 - Kuma Museum (Kuma-Kôgen, Ehime), concert by Ueda/Offermans and Mayumi Isshiki (modern dance).
05.10.09 - Tennyo-za (Kumano-shi, Mie) concert by Ueda/Offermans, Shiho Yabuki (synthesizer/piano) and Ton-chan (strings/voice).
10.10.09 - Daizen-in Temple (Higashi-Murayama, Tokyo), concert by Ueda/Offermans with La Eiko (flamenco dance).
11.10.09 - Fujimi Cultural Centre (Higashi-Murayama, Tokyo), BSXCaravan project including a concert, including collaboration with Flamenco dancer La Eiko and visual artist Annelinde de Jong and workshops by all artists.
14.10.09 - Gyokusen-ji Temple (Tsuruoka-shi, Yamagata), duo concert by Ueda/Offermans.
17.10.09 - Kôfu (Yamanashi), flute workshop
18.10.09 - Senzoku Conservatory (Kawasaki, Kanagawa), duo concert by Ueda/Offermans at the Sound Creators Festa performing "How to Survive in Paradise" involving computer manipulation.

This year, Hirado-city (southern island in Nagasaki prefecture in Japan) celebrates 400 years relationship with Holland as well as 10 years of 12xHolland. For this occasion Wil Offermans was asked to create and direct a special event: the 12xHolland Art Festival including Kaze-no-Suiheisen* (Horizon of Wind) - a music theatre with 10 Dutch artists, including musicians, dancers and visual artists. Performances took place on:
- 22 September 2009: Hirado Cultural Centre Main Hall (*premiere)
- 23 September 2009: Tabira Cultural Centre Hall
(see YouTube videos here)

Offermans presented a Flute Day at the Muziekschool Woerden, Holland (see photos)

On 19 June 2009 Wil Offermans presented both a music workshops at the Windeck Gymnasium Bühl, Germany (see photos; listen the SWR radio reportage), as well as a Flute Day at the Music School Bühl, Germany (see photos).