Peter Sheridan's Ballarat Grammar Masterclass

The flute students at Ballarat Grammar were treated in June 2009 to a masterclass, low flutes concert and flute making workshop by Peter Sheridan and David Temby.

A number of flute students of different levels of experience played and were then helped by world renowned flautist Peter Sheridan to improve their musical performances. Peter encouraged each student to "raise the bar" by growing their confidence, having fun and being totally passionate about their playing (along with some great technical tips). Peter provided an energetic, enthusiastic and masterful session. His "Low Flutes Concert" followed - which included a really interesting description of low flutes, of which he is an internationally recognised master - from alto to bass, contrabass, sub-contra bass and more. The memories of hearing his lyrical and technically exquisite music will remain in all attendees minds - and cd players when his new low flutes CD is released soon. Earlier in the day, David Temby (Temby Australia) talked with the students and teachers about flute making. He handed around parts of flutes in different stages of making and showed the differences in materials and designs and how these affect playing. It was then time for some students to sit at a "workbench" and disassemble a flute, replace a pad, lubricate the mechanism and reassemble the flute. Both Peter and David really enjoyed working with all those who attended and appreciated the chance to share information and ideas. Also, they were really impressed with the very high standard of teaching, the mature and polite attitude of students and the brilliant music facilities at Ballarat Grammar. Thanks go to Paulene Barton, Andrew Dale, the music staff and students at BGS for organising such a great day.

Peter Sheridan

Introduction:
Peter Sheridan is an active performer who specializes on the Low Flutes. He has commissioned more then 35 compositions for the different types of flutes.

Biography:
Peter Sheridan, a native of New York City, emigrated to Melbourne Australia in August 2007 form Los Angeles, CA. He has been invited to teach Flute (casually) for the University of Melbourne, Monash University and the Victorian College of the Arts, where he leads a Flute Ensemble.

Mr. Sheridan has performed on Hollywood film soundtracks, and can be heard on various independent recordings. As a chamber musician, he was a founding member of the Los Angeles Flute Quartet (2001-2007) and appeared with the Grand Canyon Music Festival on PBS, Aspen Music Festival on NPR, and continues to concertize and record with his wife Lisa Maree Amos, in their duo, 'Married Flutes.' As an Orchestral player, performances have included engagements with the Pasadena and Thousand Oaks Symphonies, the Hollywood Studio Orchestra, the Mannes Camerata, Arizona Opera, San Bernardino Pops and the Colorado Music Festival Orchestra. Peter has presented master classes and recitals for the NFA Association, University of Washington (Seattle), Biola University, St. Martin-in the- Fields Church (UK), Barbican Center/ Foyer Series (UK), Trinity Church (NYC), The Los Angeles Flute Society, University of California Los Angeles, American Composers Forum, California Music Teachers Association, The Los Angeles Bach Society and has promoted commissioned music for the Bass and Contrabass flutes at the 'Southwest Flute Festival,' Arizona.

Peter is honoured to have studied with Thomas Nyfenger, Sheridon Stokes, Jean Louis Kashy, Janos Balint (Hungary), Judith Mendenhall, Nadine Asin, and Clare Hoffmann. He has performed in Master classes by Julius Baker, Gary Schocker, Aurele Nicolet, Wolfgang Schultz, and Linda Chesis. Mr. Sheridan has been the recipient of awards and grants from Mannes College, Aspen Music Festival, American Composers Forum: Subito, University of Arizona, New York City Honours Orchestra, Turtle Bay Music School and Santa Monica College, where he was recently nominated ''Outstanding Professor 2007" by the International Student Committee.

He has premiered flute works by Gary Schocker, Paul Reale, Alex Shapiro, Paul Chihara, Andrew Downes, Thomas Woodson, Rhian Samuels, David Lefkowitz, Adrienne Albert, Sheridon Stokes, Jeffrey Miller, Paul Coleman, Vinny Golia, Patrick Neher, and Reena Esmail. Peter has recorded for Albany records, Innova, Warner Music Latina, and Varese Sarabande. As a passionate commissioner of new music for the flute family, with some thirty five compositions from five countries, his artistic mission is to develop and expand music and recordings for the Low Flutes. Peter has also improvised and written solos for the lower flutes, involving extended techniques. Currently he is working on a collection of studies and exercises, adapted for the Bass and Contra Bass Flutes. Peter plays Kotato and Fukushima Bass flutes, and a Sub-Contra Bass Flute from maker Jelle Hogenhuis in Holland.

Mr. Sheridan has served on the Music faculties of La Sierra University, Santa Monica College, and El Camino College (CA), both as Professor of Flute and Lecturer. He has taught chamber and Flute classes for the Monash University in Melbourne. Peter is a proud Lifetime Member of the National Flute Association (USA), a contributor to Flute Focus Magazine, and a Board member of the Victorian Flute Guild. Peter enjoys spending time with his wife, and their two wonderful daughters Grace and Kimberly.

Recent Works:
"Below" Music for Low Flutes
New CD Album of commissioned works for Low flutes.
MOVE Records, Melbourne-Australia 2009

COMMISSIONED COMPOSITIONS
Low Flutes (Alto, Bass, Contrabass, and Double Contrabass Flutes)

• Andrew Downes (UK) Sonata for Contrabass Flute and Piano 2009
• Alex Shapiro: Below Contrabass Flute and Electronics 2008
• Patrick Neher: City Vignettes Contrabass Flute, String Bass and Piano 2008
• Hilary Taggart (UK): Concert Etudes for Low Flutes 2009
• Bruce Lawrence (AU): Lyrical Concerto for Contrabass flute and Strings 2009
• Luca Vanneschi (It.): Quiete per Shooni for Sub-Contrabass flute and percussion 2008
• Dennis Vaughan (AU): Songs- Contrabass Flute and Contra Alto Voice 2008
• Gary Schocker: Small Sonata for a Large Flute-Bass Flute and Piano 2007
• Vinny Golia: Suite- Contrabass Flute and Vibraphone 2007
• Thomas Woodson : Solo Bass Flute Sonata 2001
• Lars Christiansen: Distant Call Solo Alto Flute w/ Quarter Tones 1997
• Amy Waterhouse (CAN): Sequence Alto Flute and Viola 1997

Flute Quartets (Los Angeles Flute Quartet: 2000-2007)

• Daniel Kessner: Canto (Private funds) 2007
• Jeffrey Miller: Up In The Air (Composers Inc. funds) 2006
• Mark Lathan: Sneakers-Jazz Suite & Mission Impossible Fantasy 2005
• Jonathan Grasse: Flutations (UCLA grant funds) 2005
• Paul Reale: A Paul Klee Gallery (Private Funds) 2004
• Christopher Caliendo: Çhovihano (Private Funds) 2004
• Robert Denham: Four dogged-leg Published by Composer 2004
• Edward Ross: Quartet Nos. 1 and 2 Published by Composer 2004
• Alex Shapiro: Bioplasm (California Music. Teachers funds) 2003
• Gary Schocker: Flute Quartet No. 1 Theodore Presser Publishers 2001

Two Flutes, Chamber Music (for the Married Flutes: 1993-Present)

• Sheridon Stokes: Irish in the Lowlands Bass Fl. and Contrabass Fl. 2008
• Adrienne Albert: Two for Two' Duos for Low Flutes 2008
• Charles Lawrence Gran: She Begins Two Flutes and Electronics 2007
• Gary Schocker: Adventures Under A Leaf' (Flute and Bass Flute) 2007
• Christopher Caliendo: With You C-Flute and Alto Flute 2006
• Girish Varma: Pacific Train 2002
• Robert Leng: Lotus Blossom 2001
• Payman Aklaghi: Flare? 2001
• Paul Chihara: Haiku-Song and Ragu 2000
• Thomas Bear Woodson: Flitter Critters 1998
• Kip Haaheim: Movement 1997
• Robert Kreis: Romance for Two Flutes 1996
• Rhian Samuel (UK): Dancing with Light 1996
• David Bessell (UK): Two Pieces: Wind on Water & Rain on the Window1992
• Peter Wendell Knell: Arabesque 1991

Proposals and Plannings (Not Confirmed)

• Wil Offermans: Duo for Bass Flute and Contrabass Flute 2009
• Gary Schocker: Trio Bass Flute, Viola, and Harp 2009
• Stuart Greenbaum: Proposed Bass Flute Work