REGISTRATION DEADLINE September 9th, 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
Terre Haute, Indiana is the location of a Low Flutes Retreat October 1 -4, 2026. Players of all skill levels on alto, bass and contrabass are welcome. We will be playing Ravel’s Bolero and three or for other full ensemble pieces for all low flutes. Everyone will receive a chamber music piece to perform at the end of the Retreat and we will be playing pieces for the Sunday morning church service.
Location: Central Presbyterian Church 125 North 7th Street, Terre Haute.
First meeting: 7:15 PM on Thursday, October 1st.
Retreat ends: Sunday the 4th about 8:30 PM after a group dinner.
Recommended Accomodations: There are only two hotels close by. One is extremely expensive, the other, Candlewood Suites, is only somewhat expensive. Candlewood Suites is at 721 Wabash Avenue. I am staying there and hope to see some of you for the walk across the street to the church.
Workshops Topics: Vibrato and Tone Development
Registration Form: 2026-TerreHaute-registration
RETREAT DETAILs:
- Dates: Thursday, October 1st, 7:15 PM through 8:30 PM Sunday, October 4th. Friday and Saturday we start at 9:15 AM and go till about 9 PM with meal breaks. We will play at the Sunday church service. Sunday’s afternoon Concert is open to the public and ends at about 5:00 PM. Fun group dinner lasts until 8:30 or so on the 4th!
- Exhibit Area: on Saturday, Lauren with the Flute Center-Chicago will be bringing instruments, accessories and maybe sheet music. This is the first time a vendor has come to a Retreat!
- Tuition: $375.
- Parking: Limited free parking in the church lot. There is a parking garage next door for about $12 a day.
- Registration Deadline: Wednesday, September 9th 2026.
- Sunday Public Performance: 4:00 to 5:00 October 4th at Central Presbyterian. The concert is free.
- Required Workshop Books: The Vibrato Workbook and either the Alto Method or the Bass Method. The book is 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: Lessons begin Thursday the 1st at 10 AM.
Workshops – Vibrato and Tone Development. We will work on developing a flexible and expressive vibrato that will enhance your phrasing capabilities. What exactly is vibrato, what creates it and how do I use it effectively? All will be answered! Required – The Vibrato Workbook.
The Tone Development workshop will help you develop the tools to find your best sound. The required books are either the Alto Method or the Bass Method. The positioning of the headjoint is critical, as is the space you create inside your mouth. Generous breathing plays a crucial role. Your improved listening skills will help you find the way to a better sound.
Evening Events – Thursday night we will start at the church 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 will play at a church service followed by a little more rehearsal and dress rehearsal ending at 3:00, then a 4:00 concert at the church. The concert will be followed by a group dinner at an area restaurant.
Repertoire – Ravel’s Bolero and two or three other full group pieces. Everyone will be assigned a chamber music piece. We will play two of three pieces on the Sunday morning church service.
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. Sign up on the Registration form.
Private Lessons – Six Thursday lesson slots will be available. Check that lesson box on the registration form. It is $90 for a 60-minute lesson.
Hotel – To make a reservation, contact the Candlewood Suites .
Other hotels in the area include: Hilton Garden Inn – on Wabash 2 blocks away, Quality Inn on 3rd St. 1.7 miles away, Comfort Suites on E. Margaret 2.6 miles away, Hampton Inn on Hwy. 41 3.3 miles away, Holiday Inn on Hwy. 41 3.3 miles away, Drury Inn on Hwy. 41 3.3 miles away.
Tuition – $375. Payments are accepted through check, PayPal, Venmo or Zelle. NO REFUNDS after September 9th. 50% refund prior to September 9th.
- Paypal: send $375 to cpotter@mac.com.
- Check: My address is 2985 18th St. Boulder, CO 80304. Make payable to Chris Potter.
- Venmo: Send $375 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 2026-TerreHaute-registration
- Snail mail the completed Retreat registration and tuition check so that it is received by September 9th along with the Retreat tuition – $TBD. With private lesson $TBD+90. OR, scan and email completed form by September 9th to cpotter@mac.com (payment must be received within 5 days).
Chris Potter
2985 18th Street
Boulder, CO 80304
50% tuition refund until Sept. 9th for the Retreat. No refunds after the 9th.
Chris Potter 