SCOTT
AUGUST TEACHING
PUEBLO (ANASAZI) STYLE FLUTES AT
ZION FLUTE SCHOOL 2013
April
20-25,
2013
Zion
Flute
School
Springdale,
UT
zioncanyonnativefluteschool.com
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 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. Don't
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.
To learn more and get an early sign-up
discount visit the Zion
Flute School website.
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