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Scott
August's Appearances
2013
April
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April
2012
April 20-25,
2013
Zion
Flute School
Springdale, UT
zioncanyonnativefluteschool.com
Scott
August will be teaching the Pueblo Style
(Anasazi) flute class. This class will also take
a look at the Lost Tuning flute, Mojave and
Mojave 6 flutes, the Long count flute, Quena and
Xiao.
If
you haven't been to the Zion Flute School, you are
missing one of the best Native Americcan Style
flute events of the year. Here is Scott August's
reflection on his first year at the
school.
I
am very lucky that I get go to a lot of great
events, perform for enthusiastic audiences and
meet people who share a burning passion for the
NAF. I always look forward to returning to these
events, reconnecting with old friends and making
new ones. However one of these stands out for
me. The Zion Flute School.
Every spring a group of 30 to 40 NAF players and
5 or so instructors descend on the quiet town of
Springdale, UT. Surrounded by the soaring red
rock cliffs of Zion Canyon, which tower above
the cool waters of the Virgin River as it flows
past tree lined banks, Springdale has a serene,
peaceful aura. The troubles of the world seem
far away as the soft sound of flutes from the
school echo through the canyon. Driving into the
town is like entering an oasis. A red-rock
Shangri-La.
The first year I taught at the school the Zion
flute festival was the weekend before the school
and held in Ivins, UT. The heat that spring was
stifling and there had been scheduling conflicts
regarding the stage. I had been on the road for
several weeks and so I was tired and road weary.
The thought of now starting the Flute School and
stepping into a whole new experience,
dealing¬Ýwith people I did not know
seemed overwhelming and, admittedly, a little
intimidating. However, once I left the festival
and drove from sterile urban area surrounding
Ivins and St. George and headed into the canyons
of Zion I could feel my mood improve at the
sight of the natural beauty.
I arrived in time for the early evening sign
up/orientation. It was a chance to "meet and
greet" people. Almost immediately I felt at ease
and surrounded by friends, even though I had
just met most of the people. By the end of that
first I was in a much better mood, and was
thinking to myself, "This is actually going to
be fun."
As the week progressed I continued to enjoy
myself more and more. My fellow teachers were
some of the best players, as well as teachers,
that I'd had the pleasure to meet. The way they
approached the flute was pragmatic and easy
going. My class was full of students eager to
learn, yet we still had a lot of laughs and fun
too. The schedule of classes was well laid out.
Different levels in the morning and more
free-form, exploratory classes in the afternoon.
(I especially liked the ones with drumming.) In
the evening there were presentations and flute
concerts. Plus the little town of Springdale has
some great restaurants. The Bit and Spur,
Whiptail Grill, Spotted Dog Cafe and my
personal favorite, Oscar's. Dont get me
started on Oscar's carrot cake!
As I got to know the other people at the school
better I began to realize that I was not the
only person hesitant about attending the school.
However, while I was tried and road weary, the
students were nervous because they thought they
wouldn't be "good enough" for the school. I
heard this from many of the students. However,
they had quickly realized that they fit right
in. They were learning tons of new flute stuff,
all the while having fun, and making new
friends. By the last day of the school everyone
was sad to have to let go of this wonderful
experience, say good-bye to friends, new and
old, and re-enter the real world. Yuck.
I’ve taught at the Zion Canyon
Flute School every year since then. Most of the
teachers are the same great bunch I met that
first year, and the new teachers fit right in. I
consider them great friends and look forward to
seeing them and the students each year. Both
returning and new students. Everyone who attends
has left a better player and it is exciting to
watch the students blossom and grow each during
the week of the school.
If you have ever thought about going to the Zion
Canyon Flute School, this is the year to do it.
You'll never know what a wonderful experience it
is until you have done it. Afterwards, you'll
wonder why you waited so long.
Visit the Zion Flute School website to learn
more. Sign up early to get a discount and book
your room today.
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