Mid-Atlantic Junior Flute Choir
Mid-Atlantic Flute Convention
February 13-14, 2027
The Mid-Atlantic Junior Flute Choir provides advanced young flutists in grades 6 through 8 who have studied privately for at least one full year with the opportunity to perform at the Mid-Atlantic Flute Convention.
This ensemble offers students the unique experience of rehearsing with and being directed by the composer of the featured work. Junior Choir members will also perform alongside an adult piccolo and low flute section drawn from established flute choirs.
Before submitting an online application, students should discuss participation with their private flute teacher.
Participation Requirements
- FSW membership is required for both the student applicant and their private teacher.
- Each private flute teacher may recommend up to three (3) students.
- Enrollment is limited to 25 members.
Participation Requirements
Requirements
Students will be selected for participation based on the following criteria:
1. Applicants must have studied flute privately for at least one full year before registering for the choir.
2. A completed online recommendation form from the student's private flute teacher is required. Before applying, students should demonstrate the following skills and competencies:
a. clear tone quality
b. clean articulation
c. good intonation and able to tune independently
d. Playing range from low C to G3
e. Ability to play a chromatic scale and major scales up to four flats and four sharps.
f. Rhythmic accuracy, including dotted eighths/sixteenths and even sixteenths notes.
3. An uploaded audio file (mp3 or mp4a audio files only - no videos) which must include the following:
a. a two octave G Major scale and a two octave D chromatic scale; articulation and tempo at private teacher's discretion
b. a ONE (1) minute solo or etude of choice (no less)
4. Students MUST attend all scheduled rehearsals. There will be a full morning rehearsal and a warm-up rehearsal before the concert which is required of all participants.
5. Applications will be accepted through December 15, 2026.
6. Both the student and the student's private flute teacher must be current members of the Flute Society of Washington (FSW) at the time of registration. The student membership fee is $20.
7. The deadline to register for the FSW Mid-Atlantic Flute Convention is January 10, 2027.
8. Junior Flute Choir participants should not register for the Festival Flute Choir on the convention registration form.
Enrollment is limited to 25 students.
What's New for 2026?
2027 Mid-Atlantic Junior Flute Choir
This year, the 2026 Junior Flute Choir welcomes FSW member and composer Mel Lauf, Jr.
Melvin Lauf, Jr. (past FSW president, vp, board member) was stationed with the 113th Army Band "Dragoons" at Fort Knox, Kentucky and "The Old Guard" Fife and Drum Corps at Fort Myer.
Separate from his military career, Lauf has written works notably for the flute and flute ensembles but also band, orchestra,. He is currently retired from the military living in Newport News, VA, and is an active piccoloist, harpist and conductor in addition to running FLUTE.NET Publications and Zaxston Press. He teaches flute, trumpet, and harp at Old Dominion University (Community Music Division) and formerly taught at Liberty Academy of the Arts (Hampton, Virginia).
He currently plays harp with the Hampton Roads Philharmonic; and piccolo (and assistant conductor) with the Peninsula Concert Band. He has also played with the Tidewater Winds, Virginia Symphony, York River Concert Band, Chesapeake Bay Wind Ensemble.
Parents' Information
Parents' Notes
Guest Admission and Convention Registration
Family members and friends are welcome to attend the Junior Flute Choir concert during the convention weekend at no charge. There is no limit to the number of guests who may attend the concert.
A non-flutist convention registration is not required if the Junior Flute Choir concert is the only convention event that guests plan to attend.
However, anyone who wish to attend other convention activities, including the exhibit hall, must purchase a non-flutist convention registration pass. Non-flutist registration is available on the convention registration form, along with meal options. Registration passes may also be purchased onsite during the convention at the registration desk.