Free public flute concert was joyful

I had an experience the first weekend of the new year I happily can’t shake.

I was in Olympia and was fortunate enough to be aware of a flute choir concert at the Capitol Rotunda. I knew considering the instrument and venue it would be enjoyable but I was not expecting to be truly transported by the experience.

The concert was “The Music of Maria Newman” performed by music students from Central Washington University and members of the Malibu Coast Chamber Orchestra, including the composer herself on violin.

My words can’t do it justice but it began with a hand chime call coming from an upper hallway around the rotunda followed by a reverie on alto sax from a higher balcony. You can probably imagine how the sound was beautifully amplified through the space.

From there we were treated to a violin duet, melting into chimes accompanied by a lovely young soprano voice that carried the flute choir down the stairs and onto the center floor of the rotunda.

The concert was one delightful surprise after another as we imagined the song of hummingbirds created by flutes, fireflies by violins, a rattler by an English horn. One of the parting pieces was entitled “Resonant Joy” and it truly was.

I want to publicly thank on behalf of all who were fortunate enough to be at the Legislative Building that day, all the musicians involved and most especially the captivating Maria Newman. Free public concerts build and brighten our community!

This story was originally published January 29, 2016 at 4:09 PM with the headline "Free public flute concert was joyful."