About Us
Greater Portland Flute Society is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit arts organization. All contributions are fully tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. |
GPFS Mission
Our mission is to provide times and places for flutists of all ages and levels to meet, exchange ideas, gain performance experience, play in ensembles, and generally promote and enhance flute playing in the greater Portland area.
Instagram: @gpflutesociety
Facebook: @flutesocietyoregon
GPFS is dedicated to:
- The teaching and learning of the flute.
- Providing and connecting each other to performance and ensemble opportunities.
- Showcasing outstanding talent from this region and beyond.
- Improving access to music education.
- Supporting flute teachers and band directors.
- Raising awareness about the value of music education.
- Exchanging knowledge of resources.
- Strengthening our community of musicians of all ages and levels.
- Collaborating and partnering with musical organizations in the region.
MORE ABOUT THE GREATER PORTLAND FLUTE SOCIETY
MembershipOur membership draws from all walks of life! We have professional performers, flute teachers, students of all ages and levels, homemakers, accountants, teachers, computer specialists, civil servants, doctors, nurses, retail employees, and retirees. Music Education, Advocacy, CollaborationFor students of all ages and levels, GPFS is dedicated to the advancement of music education, performance opportunities such as masterclasses, participation in flute ensemble events, networking and collaboration among flutists and musical organizations, exchange of knowledge about flute resources, instrument loan programs, volunteerism, young artist competitions, and youth study grant programs. Links: Flute Ensemble Gathering, Young Artist Competition, Collaborative Events, Student Study Grants, Opportunities Country and Worldwide, Flute Resources & Links, Newsletter – The Portland Piper, Local Flute Teachers GPFS Concerts and WorkshopsEach year, the Greater Portland Flute Society aims to sponsor events that provide encouragement, education, and enjoyment for both our members and our community. We do this by bringing nationally and internationally acclaimed artists to Portland to perform, lecture and teach. We have attracted many prominent flutists, including James Galway, Jean-Pierre Rampal, Julius Baker, Samuel Baron, John Barcellona, Robert Dick, Matthias Ziegler, Laurel Zucker, Steven Kujala, James Walker, Ransom Wilson, Julien Beaudiment, Valerie Coleman, Trudy Kane, Mihoko Watanabe, Gareth McLearnon, Marianne Gedigian, Marco Granados, Hadar Noiberg, and the flutists of the Oregon Symphony (Martha Long, Alicia DiDonato Paulsen, and Zach Galatis), and many more. We also provide opportunities for the many talented flutists in our region to perform and provide workshops. These events provide important opportunities for flutists of all ages and levels, teachers, and local players to learn from leading professionals of national and international stature. Annually, we have at least one free event available to both flutists and non-flutists. Links: Fall Guest Artist, First Tuesdays, Flute Fair, Spring Guest Artist Concert GPFS Member Resources
GPFS maintains an extensive music library available for loan at no charge to our members, thus allowing access to a greater range of music than might otherwise be affordable to many. The GPFS also owns a bass flute and an alto flute which are available for loan to our members (at a nominal daily charge), providing an opportunity to experience playing an instrument that most would not otherwise have. We also offer a free flute loan program for GPFS members who need an instrument. Because of GPFS and its programs, a student who would otherwise be unable, because of financial considerations, are able to study privately and have instruments that function properly. Links: GPFS Music Library, Flute Loan for Students, Big Flute Rentals | National RecognitionThe Greater Portland Flute Society has gained national recognition as a leader among flute clubs due to its very successful annual Flute Fair. This event is held at the beginning of April and attracts up to 400 flute enthusiasts from as far away as Seattle and distant parts of Oregon. Flute Fair participants take part in seminars related to the flute and in flute performance including flute choir reading sessions, and/or masterclasses, and scheduled seminars. Recent Flute Fair attractions have included Extended Techniques, Musicality Seminars, Wooden and Bamboo Flute Demonstrations, Piccolo Sessions, and Pedagogy Seminars. Many of our business members look forward to Flute Fair as a means of getting acquainted with the Portland flute community. Our members often use this occasion to test new and different models of flutes. Link: Flute Fair Non-GPFS EventsIn addition to the annual events sponsored by GPFS, we periodically sponsor events such as the Northwest Composers Concert, providing a popular forum for new compositions from area composers; and the Portland Flute Choir Festival, providing a performance and networking opportunity for flute choirs throughout the Northwest, as well as the chance to work with a well-known guest conductor in performing a mass flute choir piece as the finale of the program. GPFS Online Publication - The Portland PiperAlong with our many events and activities the Greater Portland Flute Society publishes an online publication, The Portland Piper, four times per year. This publication provides an opportunity to get to know the Greater Portland Flute Society and its yearly activities, plus concert, music, and recording reviews, interviews with local and national performers and composers, informational articles on teaching and learning the flute, and other flute-related materials and information. |
| Fred Meyer Community RewardsThis program makes it easy for you to donate to the GPFS with the shopping you do every day! To connect your Fred Meyer Rewards Card to the GPFS, CLICK HERE |
