Description

We rehearse and perform much music from our extensive library of challenging repertoire written specifically for flute choir, many of which have been written specially for Flautissimo, together with excellent arrangements of other works for flute choir by our own members, as well as selections from those which are commercially available. Our repertoire includes classical, jazz and extended techniques.

We welcome flautists from across Hampshire, and with the instruments owned by our group provide a unqiue opportunity for our members to gain experience playing alto, bass and contrabass flutes.

We have many links with local flute professionals, and encourage our members to attend the excellent flute days in Hampshire which are hosted regularly in Romsey and Winchester, as this is greatly beneficial to their development as players, in addition to being a great way to network with internationally recognised flute professionals and local players alike.

Flautissimo was founded in 1984 by Robin Soldan to encourage proficient flautists in and around Southampton to gain experience in ensemble playing. The "flute orchestra" was the first of its kind to be run in Hampshire; the inaugural concert was on the 28th of March that year. The original seven students from Regent's Park School and six from St Anne's School were soon joined by many others. Today the flute choir numbers around forty members and includes school pupils, university students, local teachers and amateur adults all of whom enjoy performing great music to a high standard.

We welcome all flute players of Grade 5 or higher to join Flautissimo, and for those who have not yet reached this standard, we have a training choir called Piccolissimo which feeds members into Flautissimo as they develop.

The group has enjoyed much success, including performing at school promenade concerts in Cardiff and Manchester. Appearances at major London venues have included a "Music for Youth" concert at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, a Schools' Music Association concert at the Royal Festival Hall, and as participants in "The Magic Flute Day" and Flutewise Live at the Barbican Centre.

In November 2009 Flautissimo celebrated their 25th Anniversary at the St John's Centre in Southampton. Over sixty past members and five previous Musical Directors came together to record a celebratory CD comprising of favourite pieces and original commissions. The Flautissimo archives contains some photos and video of the day and if you would like to purchase a CD, please contact us as there are only a limited number left!

In May 2010 Flautissimo embarked on their first tour. Ten members travelled up to Edinburgh where they participated in a workshop with Ian Clarke; performed on the Royal Mile; at the Biggar Little Festival and in Carluke, along the way meeting up with a vast host of other flute choirs and flautists. In the Spring of 2012 the orchestra enjoyed going on tour to Dublin, Ireland, and in July Flautissimo performed a new work at St Michael's Church Southampton. "Baltic Dunes" was written by Lithuanian composer Ruta Vitkauskaite, and the commission was made possible thanks to Making Music and the PRS Foundation, and was also recorded by BBC Radio 3. In August 2012 Flautissimo performed for the fourth time at the British Flute Society's International Convention.

In 2013 highlights included a spring concert in Winchester, and later in the year we were back in Winchester performing at the Tempest Flute day, before hosting one of the national Our Big Gig events in Southampton that summer. In the autumn we performed at Southampton Art Gallery as part of Music in the City, and towards Christmas performed for the Guides Charity Concert in Romsey Abbey, and raised money by playing carols to shoppers at Hedge End in aid of the Parkinson's Working Age Support Group.

2014 saw Flautissimo celebrating it's 30th Anniversary with a big reunion and concert at the Crosfield Hall in Romsey with special guest Gareth McLearnon who conducted us in his fabulous piece Single Yellow Line. We also enjoyed performing with Piccolissimo and Waterside Area Schools Windband in Hythe, made our regular appearances at Romsey bandstand, and the Southampton Art Gallery. October saw us further celebrating our 30th birthday with longstanding concert partner Bishops Bells in their 30th birthday concert, before rounding off the year with a Christmas concert with special guests The Woodside Singers.

In 2016 Flautissimo toured to Wales and performed at a lunchtime concert series at All Saints Church in Penarth, the National Trust's Dyffryn House, St Fagans National History Museum, and at the inspiring St Illtyd's Church in Llantwit Major. Thanks to the lovely Cardiff Amateur Flute Ensemble for joining us.

In 2018 Flautissimo toured to the Isle of Wight and gave performances at venues including English Heritage's Osborne House and Carisbrooke Castle.

If you would like to become part of this exciting and enthusiastic group we are always looking for new players, and as a charity we welcome donations, charitable gifts, and offers of sponsorship.

Flautissimo (the Southampton Flute Orchestra) is currently under the musical direction of Joanna Price. The group uses piccolos, concert, alto, bass and contrabass flutes. Flautissimo members are usually at least Grade 5 standard, and include adults and young people alike. The group provides a unique opportunity in the area both for school/college age players who may wish to look for more ensemble experience, and experience playing other types of flute, perhaps with a view towards music college, and for adults to join a smaller, dedicated orchestra.

Piccolissimo is for anyone with a flute from beginners up to Grade 5. We play simple pieces and provide an opportunity for less experienced players to practise ensemble playing which helps develop skills such as sight reading, playing in tune, and playing in time.

Description

This is a traditional public park situated on the west side of town. Beautifully maintained, it was created in 1920 from a 5 acre meadow, surrounded on three sides by the River Test.

Perfect for a stroll or to sit and enjoy one of the regular concerts in the Bandstand, the parks facilities include a cafe, lawn bowls club, fishing, formal gardens, inclusive children’s playground, tennis courts, toilets and seating. The tennis is free and the cafe lend out rackets and balls.

Bandstand concerts take place on Sundays throughout the summer.

War Memorial Park, The Meads,

Romsey,

Hampshire,

England,

SO51 8HB.