Conservatory showcases flute festival and soloist Jennifer Slaughter

By Ben Olson
Reader Staff

The Music Conservatory of Sandpoint will dedicate Saturday, Oct. 11 to one of the oldest instruments in the world: the flute. 

The day will begin with the North Idaho Flute Festival from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 11 at MCS (110 Main St., in downtown Sandpoint). The festival features a flute competition, performance and master class. All ages are welcome for the competition, which is open to anyone whose principal livelihood is obtained from non-musical work. All selections must be limited to 12 minutes in length.

The competition will feature guest artist Jennifer Slaughter, flutist of the Spokane Symphony, and guests Alisha Dawson, Gosia Szemelak-Pellant and Hannah Nordlie. Competition judges include Slaughter and Maestro Jan Pellant. Go to sandpointconservatory.org for full participant guidelines and information about the master class, including a breakdown of divisions for competition.

Awards and closing will take place at 1 p.m. and will be followed by a master class from 2-4 p.m. with Slaughter.

The price for competing and the master class is $50.

As the sun grows low in the sky, the competition and master class will give way to a performance in Little Carnegie titled Winds of Expression, starting at 7 p.m. Slaughter will perform with Szemelak-Pellant and Melody Puller. Tickets to the showcase performance are $35 for adults or $15 for students. Participants in the competition and master class may purchase tickets for only $10.

Visit sandpointconservatory.org to purchase tickets or learn more about the North Idaho Flute Festival.