The Flute Roadshow 
Workshop Day – Devon, April 9th 2022

An inspirational event for flute players of all ages and abilities.

Saturday 9th April 2022 - 10am - 6pm Sampford Courtenay Village Hall, Chapple Lane, Okehampton, EX20 2ST

We are delighted to be returning to Devon for the first of our Flute Roadshow workshop days. Join top flute coaches Andrea Kuypers and Mel Orriss for a lively and exciting day of flute ensemble playing, suitable for early graders and rusty returners, right through to more confident and advanced players/teachers. (approx. Grade 1-Diploma.) The venue is in the picturesque village of Sampford Courtenay, conveniently situated 5 miles outside Okehampton (just 3 minutes from the A3072) in the heart of the rolling Devon countryside.

What the day will look like

Warm-ups

Ice breaking warm-ups get your bodies and brains ready for the day. Work on your posture, breathing and sound in a supportive group setting.

Meet the Flute Family

A demonstration of the capabilities and colours of the more unusual members of the flute family.

Massed flute choir

Be part of the incomparable sound of massed flutes playing together. We‘ll work on a diverse selection of music, and will send you parts suited to your playing level in advance so you get the chance to do a bit of practice.

Quiz the coaches

Ever wanted to know how to play high notes quietly, or get a rich sound on your low notes? Stuck on a trill fingering? Now’s your chance to find out answers to all those flute questions in our Q&A session. A great chance to get top tips from the experts.

Smaller Groups

Explore new pieces from the extensive Wonderful Winds library in smaller groups with players of a similar level. You’ll get chance to work independently with your new flute friends, and get coaching help from Andrea and Mel.

Informal Concert

A chance to perform the pieces you’ve been working on during the day. Encourage your friends or family to come along and hear what you’ve achieved. (Free entry)

Wonderful Winds pop-up shop

BOOKING

Price: £50 per player

Teachers: £5 discount for you and your pupils if 2 or more book. 

Family/siblings: £5 discount for each family member.

Bursary: We are offering one free place for an under 18 who would otherwise be unable to attend due to financial constraints. Please contact us in complete confidence. (Early application advised.) 

Booking closes on 3rd April. Places limited to 30 players.

Booking forms

Completing the form

Why do I need to put my playing level?

This helps us to plan suitable music, so that you won’t feel out of your depth. Don't worry, we won't be testing anyone, and you don’t need to have taken any exams to join us. Please note, the workshops are not suitable for complete beginners (see grade guidelines for details).

I’ve never taken an exam; how do I judge my playing level?

Please click here to see detailed guidelines for judging your approximate Grade. If you’re not sure please contact us and we'll be happy to help.

The booking form mentions C flutes and others, what are they?

For those new to the flute choir world, there are various sizes of flutes within the flute family. The most common of these is the C flute, the one most of us usually play on. If you have a piccolo, alto, bass (or contrabass!), please bring it; we promise you won't play it for the whole day unless you want to.

We’ll have a small number of these other flutes available to use on the day. You don’t need to have played one before, and you won’t have to transpose the music – they’re just like normal flutes, only bigger (or smaller)

Player's Pack

Once booking closes, we’ll email you a Player's Pack containing music for the massed flute choir for you to have a play through, and all the information you will need. You don’t need to bring printed out music with you – we will have parts for each player on the day.

Have any Questions?

Just get in touch – we’re happy to help! 

Mel Orriss: mail@wonderfulwinds.com 07817 703844 

Andrea Kuypers: andrea@kuypers.co.uk 07778 28158

Reviews

“So amazing to have this Wonderful Winds weekend on our doorstep. We'd definitely sign up again. Thanks for an amazingly well organised event.” 

"We just wanted to say a big thank you for the flute workshop on Saturday - my daughter had a whale of a time with the music and also made 3 new friends which was a bonus! The concert was really impressive and had a lovely relaxed, creative feel about it. She is definitely up for more!"

 “I thought today was amazing! I have learnt loads and really enjoyed myself....I wished it was longer!” 

“‘Picked up some useful breathing tips – still learning after xx years!” 

“Lovely atmosphere and nice bunch of people.”

Your Tutors

Andrea Kuypers

Andrea studied flute and piano at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester. Now based in Glasgow Andrea is a freelance performer and educator with a wealth of experience spanning three decades. She has performed and recorded with all the major Scottish Orchestras and also further afield with, amongst others, the BBC Concert Orchestra, the Tenerife Symphony Orchestra and the Singapore Symphony Orchestra.

Andrea has been fortunate enough to work with such renowned soloists as Mel Tormé, George Shearing, Jack Jones, James Galway and Nicola Benedetti and has also worked extensively in the pop world, performing as a backing musician for Scottish band Belle and Sebastian. She appears on many of their recordings including the single “Waking Up To Us”. She undertook a world tour with the band and travelled to such places as the USA, Canada, Japan and Brazil.

Andrea has also worked alongside some of the world’s leading jazz artists whilst performing with the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra, notably an Edinburgh Festival performance with Gunther Schuller and Joe Lovano. TV appearances range from “Songs of Praise” to “Later” with Jools Holland.

Andrea has a thriving teaching practice and is in demand internationally for her teaching and ensemble coaching. She runs the Glasgow based flute choir Flutes Unlimited and the international flute summer school based in the French Alps, Flutes du Soleil. Find out more about Andrea at http://www.kuypers.co.uk/

"Andrea worked with us on a Joint Flute Day and concert. She leads with enthusiasm, energy and a sense of fun. Her attention to detail really helped us focus. The thing that struck me most was her commitment to the music, making sure that we phrased beautifully, listened together and gave helpful tips on technique along the way. We will definitely be working together in the future. Our group were buzzing afterwards!" (Sue Nicholls, Musical Director, Flutes & Co, Cumbria's flute orchestra)

"Andrea's attitude to teaching is infectious... her enthusiasm for performance and nurturing talent, alongside her good humour, really makes its mark on each student... they leave with a real determination to keep improving "

“Andrea Kuypers was my flute teacher for 7 years. She is a skilled musician and teacher with a wealth of knowledge and experience. Her approach to teaching is engaging and challenging, and she offers lots of encouragement. Andrea is enthusiastic, patient, understanding, and always makes learning interesting. I always looked forward to my flute lessons with Andrea, and would highly recommend her"

Mel Orriss

Mel Orriss studied flute at Chetham’s School of Music and then at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama with Peter Lloyd and Kathryn Lukas. As a student she was a semi-finalist in the BBC’s Young Musician of the Year Competition and also toured with the European Community Orchestra.

In 1999 Mel swapped the hectic pace of life as a London musician for an equally hectic life as a musician in Devon. She now teaches flautists of all ages both privately and in some of the region’s schools, coaches flute ensembles and woodwind groups, and is the Assistant Conductor and Woodwind coach of the Devon Youth Symphony and Concert Orchestras. Mel’s passion for arranging and composing led to her co-founding the music publishing company Wonderful Winds in 2010. The company has since built a global reputation for excellence, providing inspiring ensemble music for wind players of all levels worldwide, and its publications have been major prize winners in the National Flute Association (USA) Newly Published Music competition.

Major Commissions

2013 – Shaun Davey’s “The Relief of Derry Symphony” arranged for massed flute bands and soloists, Maiden City Festival, Derry, Northern Ireland.

2014 – “Towards the Blue Horizon” the central piece for The Big Flute Challenge world record, Belfast.

2015 – “Bonny at Morn” for The Big Flute Challenge, Belfast.

2016 – “1.7.16” for the Hamilton Flute Band’s Somme centenary performance, Derry.

Customer Reviews

“...a real joy. Their arrangements are interesting and well prepared, easy to read and very well presented with humour, goodwill and efficiency - a constant miracle.”
Atarah Ben-Tovim, MBE.

“Nobody could fail but to be delighted by all you do - great arrangements”
Liz Childs, Bedfordshire Woodwind Academy.

“I can truly say that you have transformed my working life!”
Liz Fife, Ex-principal Cor Anglais, Royal Opera House; Oboe teacher, Wells Cathedral School.

“The most brilliant arrangements for all abilities - witty, creative and super educational tools! I really don't know where I'd be without them!”
Louise Rayner, Director, Flute Salad and Flute Cocktail, Hampshire.