About the Hot Springs Flute Ensemble
The Hot Springs Flute Ensemble includes intergenerational males and females of various skill-levels including talented students, semi-professionals, and professionals.
Membership is voluntary and members come from many diverse careers -- nurses, lawyers, accountants. homemakers, physicians, advertising executives, teachers, massage therapists, beauticians, wait persons, college professors, and others.
Rehearsals are on selected Tuesdays at the Westminister Presbyterian Church, 3819 Central Avenue, Hot Springs, Arkansas. New members of intermediate skill levels are always welcome. If skills need to be regained, complimentary lessons are available. A $50.00 registration fee is paid in the Fall and again in the Spring Semesters.
An annual Fall concert presented by the Ensemble is a fundraiser for the Garland County Humane Society. The group also performs a number of Christmas concerts: Country Club Village, Westshores, Atrium, the lobby of the Arlington Resort and Spa and in the Anthony Chapel at Garvan Woodland Gardens. The spring concert venues vary, with performances in Hot Springs Village, Lakeside School, Garvan Woodland Gardens, for Sigma Alpha Iota fundraiser, and for the Hot Springs Music Club.
The Ensemble also sponsors an annual educational seminar for area flutists with a guest clinician. The group has performed for weddings, receptions, fundraisers, private parties, and nursing homes. Specialty programs have included themes such as Hawaiian, Irish, Spanish, Classical, Dance, Children's, Western, Oriental, Christmas, Religious, Patriotic and World Music.
About Our Conductor
Carlos Feller
Carlos Feller received his Doctor of Music degree from Florida State University. He holds a B.M. from the School of Music and Fine Arts of Parana - Brazil, and M.M. in flute performance from the University of Southern Mississippi. Feller was prizewinner in competitions such as the William T. Gower Concerto Competition, the Music Teacher National Association, and the Flute Society of Kentucky Young Artist competitions. Feller is a member of the ensemble Traverso Colore, a chamber group dedicated to historically informed performances on period instruments (baroque flute - traverso). An enthusiast of new music for flute, Feller performed a the International Computer Music Conference in New Orleans, at the International MIchel Debost Composition Competition in Curitiba-Brazil, and at the XV Biennial Festival of New Music at Florida State University. He frequently performs new music for flute ensemble with the groups Music Unites, and Super Flutes International Collective. Feller has performed extensively in the U.S. and abroad. He was recently featured in international concerts in Brazil, Honduras, Dominican Republic, France, and Switzerland. Dr. Feller serves as Visiting Professor of Music at Ouachita Baptist University, where he teaches Flute, Music Theory, Aural Skills, and Musicology.
About Our Conductor
Sigilda Naidin
Mrs. Sigilda Naidin was appointed conductor of the ensemble in 2013. She is also Assistant Choral Director at Betania Pentecostal Church and Choral Director and Pianist at the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Hot Springs. She is a past accompanist for the NPC Singers and Sound Waves Jazz Group and was the choral directory and pianist at UUVC for a number of years.
Mrs. Naidin teaches piano locally, loves giving lessons one-on-one, enjoys chamber music and accompanying, and also plays harpsichord. She loves reading, singing, traveling, and writing. In the past, she was the piano accompanist for the flute ensemble.
Sigilda (Graur) Naidin was born, raised, and educated in Romania. She received her first nursing degree as an LPN and Bachelor in Music Education and Choral Conducting from Bucharest Music University. Her second nursing degree is in registered nursing from National Park College, Hot Springs, Arkansas; she is employed full time in nursing. Sigilda is a member of the SAI Music Fraternity-Hot Springs Chapter, and is a member and program coordinator of the Music Club of Hot Springs.
About Our Executive Director
Dr. Jacqueline M. Flowers
Dr. Jaqueline M. Flowers has a very active career as a flutist, teacher, registered nurse, and Executive Director of the Hot Springs Flute Ensemble.
She has extensive performance experience in symphonies, concert bands, and chamber music ensembles on modern and Baroque flute. Dr. Flowers organized the Hot Springs Flute Ensemble in 1983, after moving to Arkansas. She has performed with the McKeesport and Pittsburgh Symphonies; Baroque Sinfonia of Santa Rosa, California; South Arkansas and Pine Bluff Symphonies; and Santa Rosa and Hot Springs Baroque Ensembles. She currently performs with the Hot Springs Concert Band and the Flute Ensemble.
In her dual career she has taught nursing, music appreciation, and social studies at National Park College and was adjunet flute instructor at Ouachita Baptist University. Currently she is adjunct music instructor for flute in the New Horizons Band at NPC and has her own private music studio for flute and piano. Dr. Flowers has advanced degrees in music, counseling, nursing, and health administration, and Gerontology.
Our History
Organization: The Hot Springs Flute Ensemble was established in 1983. Organized by Dr. Jackie Flowers, the group began with 3 flutists and has grown to and ensemble with 25-30 members and includes piccolos, c flutes, alto, bass and contra bass flutes.
Chamber Groups: There are trios, quartets and octets available within the ensemble for special events, such as weddings, receptions, teas and luncheons.
Julian Herring Scholarship: In 2008 the Flute Ensemble honored retiring conductor Julian Herring with a Youth Scholarship bearing his name. The scholarship provides tuition, music, and mentorship for a one year membership in the HSFE. Recipients must demonstrate excellence in musicianship, a desire to receive advanced training in a flute ensemble setting, and a diligence in practice habits. They must be recommended by their music instructor and have specific criteria to meet in an audition. Tutors from existing Ensemble members provide student mentorship. Students must attend all rehearsals and are able to play in all concerts.
Coaching: Dependent on public donations and grant funds, the Ensemble also provides tuition assistance to qualified students for private lessons, members, and has offered a Junior Flute Ensemble.
College Funds: The Hot Springs Flute Ensemble is also providing college scholarship funds for Julian Herring Scholarship winners based on each year of membership in the Ensemble. The funds are distributed upon high school graduation.
Tax Exempt Donations: The Hot Springs Flute Ensemble, Inc. was incorporated September 26, 2005 and is a registered non-profit group in the state of Arkansas. It is a 501 © (3) tax exempt organization.
Statement of Purpose
The purpose of the non-profit Hot Springs Flute Ensemble, Inc. is to:
- Provide educational and performance opportunities for area flutists;
- Sponsor and present musical performances featuring flutists;
- Present educational flute seminars;
- Mentor young flutists with ensemble membership and tutoring;
- Be a premier resource for area flutists.
Officers:
| President/Executive Director | Dr. Jacqueline M. Flowers |
| Secretary | Ann Smedley |
| Treasurer | Janet Moore |
| Historian | Robin Williams |
| Grant Writer | Sara Ferril |
| Members at Large | Janis Hopper |
| Hot Springs Village Representative | Debra Reed |
| Student Representative | Payton Teague |