Join us for an unforgettable week at the "Flute Journeys Retreat," set amidst the serene beauty of Barons CreekSide Getaway and its neighboring wineries. We are excited to welcome Marieke Schneemann, from Amsterdam, The Netherlands, as our premier guest artist this year! Whether you are a beginner, intermediate, really good, or just getting back into playing, this retreat offers the perfect blend of music, learning, relaxation, wine tasting, and many delightful experiences.

     Marieke Schneemann studied flute with Karl-Friedrich Mess at the Musikhochschule Stuttgart and with Frans Vester at the Royal Conservatoire in The Hague, where she was awarded the soloist’s diploma cum laude. Marieke Schneemann was principal flautist with the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra under Valery Gergiev and member of the Netherlands Wind Ensemble and the Fodor Quintet. As a recitalist she performs with pianist Marietta Petkova, harpist Godelieve Schrama and cimbalom players Michiel Weidner and Jan Rokyta. With Ralph van Raat she focuses on the performance of contemporary music and together they have recorded solo works by Rudolf Escher.

   With Marietta Petkova she has recorded a CD devoted entirely to songs by Gabriel Fauré. She has performed at international festivals and appeared as a soloist with the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra, the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra, Nieuw Sinfonietta Amsterdam, Ulster Orchestra and I Solisti di Zagreb under the conductors Edo de Waart, Roy Goodman, Marc Minkovsky, Thierry Fischer, Ivan Fischer, Iwaki Hirokami and George Benjamin.

   The retreat features a variety of workshops designed to enhance your flute playing and musical knowledge. From Monday to Thursday, each day includes two masterclasses or workshops, with morning and afternoon sessions. Each day will be dedicated to a unique musical theme:

Flute Repair Techniques with Thomas Horter & Jamie Espen:
     Learn how to keep your flute in top playing condition and avoid costly repairs! Find out what your technician does during a COA (Clean, Oil, Adjust), including some overhaul techniques, pad differences (Straubinger/Felt/Muramatsu), identifying and adjusting basic regulations on your own flute, and proper maintenance practices.

   Former Powell Flutes finisher Jamie Espen's journey into the flute-tech world was long and filled with rich experiences. Born a tinkerer, she often frustrated her parents by dismantling her toys. She studied under Helen Blackburn at Stephen F. Austin University, earning a Music Education degree in 1994. After training with flutemaker Jon Landell in Vermont, she found joy in crafting and repairing flutes. She balanced performing and teaching for many years, including work with the Marshall, TX, and Shreveport Summer Festival Symphony Orchestras, before moving to Powell Flutes in Boston in 2001 and later continuing flute finishing and repair work from Texas: Elite Flute Services. 

With Dr. Hilary Janysek:

Morning: Flute Tone Development
Discover methods to improve your tone and overall sound quality. We will be working out of Philippe Bernold's "Le Souffle, Le son."
Afternoon: Tuning and Intonation
Gain a deeper understanding of achieving and maintaining stable, in-tune pitch.

     Dr. Hilary Janysek is a flutist and educator specializing in entrepreneurship, group creativity, and positive psychology, performing with orchestras such as the Temple Symphony and the Victoria Bach Festival Orchestra. She has been a soloist with the Ball State Symphony and the Texas State University Orchestra, and actively participates in chamber music and educational events like the College Music Society Conference and the National Flute Association Convention. As a board member of the Austin Flute Society and Chair of the National Flute Association's Flute Clubs Committee, she coordinates numerous virtual events and competitions. Dr. Janysek teaches flute at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor and Southwestern University and maintains a private studio, with her students excelling in various competitions. She holds a Doctor of Arts in Flute Performance and a Certificate in Entrepreneurial Music from Ball State University. 

Basic Baroque Performance Practice with Thomas Horter & Marieke Schneemann:

     Delve into the world of Baroque music and discover the performance techniques that bring this expressive style to life. Explore historical context, articulation, ornamentation, and phrasing through a guided study of Quantz's influential treatise, "On Playing the Flute."

• Morning Session: Thomas Horter will lead an interactive workshop covering the fundamentals of Baroque performance practice.
• Afternoon Masterclass: Apply your newfound knowledge in a masterclass with renowned flutist Marieke Schneemann. Receive personalized feedback and refine your interpretation of Baroque repertoire.
  

Suggested Prepared Repertoire: A Movement from the Bach Partita, or a Telemann Fantasia.

Flute Works by Mozart and How to Perform Them with Thomas Horter & Marieke Schneemann: 

    Explore the brilliance of Mozart's flute works and learn how to perform them with style and authenticity. We'll delve into Frans Vester's insightful guide, "Mozart - On the Performance of the Works for Wind Instruments," uncovering the composer's intentions and discovering performance practices that illuminate the music's nuances and beauty.

• Morning Session: Thomas Horter will lead an in-depth exploration of Mozart's flute works, drawing on Vester's insights to guide our understanding of articulation, phrasing, dynamics, and other key elements of performance.
• Afternoon Masterclass: Join Marieke Schneemann for an interactive masterclass where you'll have the opportunity to perform Mozart's flute concertos. Receive expert guidance, refine your technique, and deepen your interpretation of this timeless music.

Suggested Prepared Repertoire: 1st Movement Exposition of either the G or D concertos. 

*****Thursday Night Clinician's Recital******

Location: TBD

Time: 7:30 pm

Free for retreat attendees, Tickets are $20 at the door and proceeds will go to "Flutes Without Borders."

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     Going out as a group after class is optional, but encouraged! Thomas will be leading a group into town (just down the street) after class Monday-Wednesday and Friday night. 

     Fredericksburg, TX, offers a charming nightlife with a mix of live music venues, cozy wine bars, and lively breweries. Visitors can enjoy performances from local bands at places like Hondo's on Main and the Rockbox Theater. Wine enthusiasts can unwind at the numerous tasting rooms, such as those at Fredericksburg Winery. For a laid-back evening, the town's beer gardens and distilleries provide a relaxing atmosphere under the Texas stars.

     Start your day with a unique flute showcase with Dana Shaw, the Flute Finder. From 9 am to noon, you'll have the chance to try out a variety of flutes, receive personalized recommendations, and perhaps even find your perfect match.

     Afterward, join your fellow flutists for lunch and a leisurely stroll down Main Street, where you can browse charming shops, art galleries, and boutiques.

      In the late afternoon, we'll gather for a delightful wine tasting back at the resort. Savor a selection of grapes grown on their property and learn about the region's rich winemaking heritage.

   Dana Shaw has owned The Flute Finder for over 20 years, selling new and Preowned flutes, piccolo, low flutes, and headjoints. 

     She has a 5 star google rating and customer care is the top priority and a concierge experience is what you can expect when purchasing an instrument.