REGISTRATION DEADLINE April 13th, 2026
Welcome to this 22nd year of Low Flutes Retreats!
If you haven’t been, you should go! A wealth of information, connect with other low flute players. It really is for all levels of players. Doing a chamber piece and hearing the other chamber pieces at the concert was so much fun. Even though I’m not a beginner musician I am fairly new to low flute and highly recommend doing these! Kathy Thompson
Sponsored by the Upper Midwest Flute Association, Minneapolis, Minnesota is the location of a Low Flutes Retreat May 14-17, 2026. Players of all skill levels on alto, bass and contrabass are welcome. We will be playing Canticum Orbis Terrae from Alexandra Molnar-Sujahda’s Alchemy of Earth, O Edo Nihonbashi a Japanese Folk Song arranged by Yuko Hoshi, and Bayram (Feast) by Turkish composer Orçun Orçunsel among other pieces. Chamber music will be assigned and rehearsed during the Retreat followed by a performance.
Location: Augsburg University. 2211 Riverside Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55454
First meeting: 7:15 PM on Thursday, May 14th.
Retreat ends: Sunday the 17th about 8:30 PM after a group dinner.
Recommended Accomodations: Courtyard by Marriott
Workshops Topics: Vibrato and, Alternate Fingerings
Registration Form: will be here when ready
RETREAT DETAILs:
- Dates: Thursday, May 14th, 7:15 PM through 8:30 PM Sunday, May 17th. Friday and Saturday we start at 9:15 AM and go till about 9 PM with meal breaks. Sunday’s Concert ends at about 5:00 PM. Fun group dinner lasts until 8:30 or so on the 17th!
- Tuition: $365. There is a $35 discount for Upper Midwest Fl. Assoc. members. ($330)
- Parking: There is plenty available because school is not in session.
- Registration Deadline: Monday, April 13th 2026.
- Sunday Public Performance: 4:00 to 5:00 The concert is free. Working on location.
- Required Workshop Books: The Vibrato Workbook, the Alto Method and/or the Bass Method. Buy/bring both Methods if you have an alto and a bass and want to work on both. Contra players bring the Bass Method. The books are available from chrispotterflute.com, Flute World, world-wide via Amazon, Flute Specialists, Carolyn Nussbaum’s, The Flute Pro Shop, West Valley Music, Flute Center of New York and Just Flutes (UK).
- Private Lessons: Will be taught Thursday the 14th between 10 AM and 5 PM at Augsburg.
Workshops – Vibrato and, Alternate Fingerings. We will work on developing a flexible and expressive vibrato that will enhance your phrasing capabilities. Required – The Vibrato Workbook, the Alto Method and/or the Bass Method. Buy/bring both Methods if you have you have an alto and a bass and want to work on both. Contra players bring the Bass Method.
The Alternate Fingerings Workshop uses numerous examples from the Alto and Bass Method Books. These alternate fingerings especially help with intonation, with tonal response and facilitating difficult fingerings.
Evening Events – Thursday night at a classroom in the Music Dept. We will start at 7:15 PM, introduce ourselves then read through our full ensemble pieces. Friday night is a recital featuring players who have asked to play solos/duets/trios. Saturday evening is a group sight-reading session. Bring music to share. Sunday morning we might play at a church service in the same building as our rehearsals. There will be a rehearsal ending at 3:00, then a 4:00 concert at a place yet to be determined, then a group dinner at an area restaurant.
Repertoire – Canticum Orbis Terrae from Alexandra Molnar-Sujahda’s Alchemy of Earth, O Edo Nihonbashi a Japanese Folk Song arranged by Yuko Hoshi, and Bayram (Feast) plus other pieces yet to be determined. Everyone will be assigned a small group to prepare chamber music pieces.
Saturday Sight-Reading Session – All participants are invited to bring a few ensemble pieces. Music with parts for both altos and basses are preferred, but c flute duets/trios/quartets can work for all altos, all basses, or all contras. You are responsible for making extra copies of parts and conducting your piece if it has more than three parts.
Informal Recital – On Friday night of the Retreat there will be an opportunity for the players to perform a solo or other chamber music piece. There may be a piano available, but you will have to arrange for your own pianist. Sign up on the Registration form.
Private Lessons – Contact me first to see if there are times available. cpotter@mac.com. If you are interested in a private lesson, check the lesson box on the registration form and include a $90 payment with your tuition.
Hotel – 1500 Washington Ave. South Minneapolis, MN 55454 Courtyard by Marriott
Tuition – $365. Payments are accepted through check, PayPal, Venmo or Zelle. NO REFUNDS after April 13th. 50% refund prior to April 13th.
- Paypal: send $365 to cpotter@mac.com.
- Check: My address is 2985 18th St. Boulder, CO 80304. Make payable to Chris Potter.
- Venmo: Send $365 to ChrisPotterFlute (Sometimes Venmo asks for the last 4 digits of my phone number – 6492)
- Zelle: To use Zelle, send to cpotter@mac.com. Let me know you are using this sevice.
- To pay for a private lesson, add $90 to your check or add $90 to your PayPal or Venmo payment.
Contact me at cpotter@mac.com if you want more information about the Retreat.
- Use these guidelines to determine your Repertoire Level which you need to know when filling out the Retreat Registration.
- Click here to download and complete the reg form when it is available.
- Snail mail the completed Retreat registration and tuition check so that it is received by April 13th along with the Retreat tuition – $365. With private lesson $365+90. OR, scan and email completed form by April 13th to cpotter@mac.com (payment must be received within 5 days).
Chris Potter
2985 18th Street
Boulder, CO 80304
50% tuition refund until April 13th for the Retreat. No refunds after the 13th.
Chris Potter 