Mid-Atlantic Junior Flute Choir
Mid-Atlantic Flute Convention
February 13-14, 2027
Application Open
Deadline: December 1, 2026, 5 PM EST
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 and performing under the direction of the composer of the featured work. Junior Choir members will also perform alongside adult piccolo and low-flute players 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) for seating audition 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.
4. Students MUST attend all scheduled rehearsals. There will be a full morning rehearsal and a warm-up rehearsal before the Saturday concert which are required of all participants.
5. Applications will be accepted through December 1, 2026, 5 PM EST.
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 $30.
7. The deadline to register for the FSW Mid-Atlantic Flute Convention is Friday, January 8, 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 2027 Junior Flute Choir welcomes composer Gay Kohkonen.
Gay Kahkonen is a composer and flutist from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She earned her degree in composition from Oberlin Conservatory, where she studied with Edward J. Miller, Randolf Coleman, Michael Daugherty, and Elizabeth Hinkle-Turner. She spent a summer at Aspen Music Festival studying with Michael Czajkowski of The Juilliard School. Her flute studies were with Wendy Webb Kumer and Bernard Z. Goldberg.
Kahkonen’s award-winning compositions are performed across the United States and internationally. She has been commissioned by many outstanding ensembles and organizations. Her works are published by ALRY Publications and can be heard on Aerocade Music, YouTube, ALRY Publications’ website
(https://ummpstore.com), and her own website (www.gaykahkonen.com).
Kahkonen taught private flute lessons for over 20 years, founded and directed three student flute choirs, and coached the flute and piccolo sections of four high school marching bands. She performs with the Pittsburgh Flute Academy City Flutes, Pittsburgh Professional Flute Orchestra, the International Flute Orchestra, and Flute Friends Quartet.
In addition to her endeavors as a musician, Kahkonen pursues a parallel career in theater arts as the properties manager at Confluence Theater of Pittsburgh (formally Pittsburgh Public Theater), where she was awarded a Legacy Award for over 25 years of excellence.
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.
Junior Flute Choir Application Form is temporarily down. Check back Sunday, September 27.