GPFS Flute Fair 2008

What is Flute Fair?

Flute Fair is a day filled with flute related activities, sponsored by the Greater Portland Flute Society. Best of all, admission and all the activities are FREE for GPFS Members!!! There will be a small charge for non-members. Flute Fair will be held at Aloha High School at the corner of SW 185th Ave. and SW Kinnaman Rd. in Aloha from 9:00 AM till 4:00 PM on Saturday, April 5, 2008.

Admission:

• GPFS Members:
  • Free. One parent will be admitted free with every student member.
• Non-members:
  • $5 general admission
  • $15 family admission
  • $3 students & seniors. One parent will be admitted free with every paid student admission. 

"What kind of flute-related activities?" you may ask. Some typical activities are:

• Workshops on various flute-related topics in the morning, including workshops taught by our Special Guest Artist, Lorna McGhee.
• Performances by GPFS members occurring periodically in the morning.
• A masterclass taught by Lorna McGhee 2:00 - 4:00 PM.
• Vendors in our exhibit hall selling flutes and flute-related merchandise from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

"Merchandise? What kind of merchandise?"

First of all there will be flutes in all price ranges—from student flutes to professional flutes to solid gold flutes.  There will also be used flutes for sale.  There will be piccolos, and larger flutes, such as bass flutes and alto flutes. 

Flute Fair is a wonderful opportunity to learn about different brands and models, and play-test a variety of flutes side by side and possibly find a flute that’s just right for you!  Every major flute manufacturer will be represented, including Altus, Brannen, Burkart, JL Smith, Jupiter, Haynes, Miyazawa, Muramatsu, Pearl Flutes, and others—I’ll bet you didn’t know that so many different companies made flutes!

There will be flute headjoints to try from many of the flute manufacturers, as well as companies that only make flute headjoints.

“Headjoints?  Why would I just want to buy just a headjoint?” 

There are many reasons: You like your flute, but want to improve the way it sounds; if you can’t afford to upgrade the quality of your flute, it is a less expensive way to improve the way your flute sounds.  Purchasing a new headjoint can make your flute easier to play (you still have to practice, though!) because the notes come out easier.  Sometimes purchasing a new headjoint can even improve some of the intonation difficulties you’ve been having on your flute (you still have to listen, though!)

There will be flute accessories for sale, such as music stands, flute stands, tuners, metronomes, flute swabs, cleaning clothes, gig bags, etc.  There will be flute t-shirts, flute notepads, flute pencils, flute coffee mugs, flute jewelry and other flute items to buy.  There will also be flute music to buy.

"Did you mention a raffle?"

Yes, we'll have a raffle! (Well, two really—see below.) Win fabulous prizes in our hourly raffle drawings. There will be a variety of prizes, such as a flute book, lip plate engraving, a gig bag, and more! (See the complete list here.) See the schedule for raffle times.

Check these links (or the navigation buttons at the top left of this page) for specific information on vendors, workshops, performances, and scheduling. Plan on coming early and staying late! Bring a friend (or two or three!). It'll be a fun-filled day!

We need volunteers to help Flute Fair run smoothly!

To volunteer an hour or two of your time, please contact Donna Schmidt via e-mail or 503-649-9760 for volunteer opportunities. It's a great way to support this wonderful event. We'll provide refreshments and a free ticket for the volunteer-only raffle.

Are you a merchant that wants to exhibit at Flute Fair?

Information on exhibiting at Flute Fair and links to applications for membership and exhibiting at Flute Fair.