"Flute Salad" Adds Unique Flavor to Any Event

Emerging music group "Flute Salad" is making waves in Denver area communities. Based in Thornton, this flute quartet debuted its unique voice at the Marvelous Musicale on May 23rd at the Broomfield Auditorium and created a bit of a buzz.

"Many people have never had the opportunity to hear a flute choir or quartet," says founding member Leona Losinski. "We hope, by playing public events like the Musicale, to share the unique voice of a flute ensemble and inspire people in the community to enjoy our music."

Losinski, along with Linda Luchtenburg, Michelle Lewis, and Deborah Ray, came together in December 2008. "We met through Thornton Community Band (TCB), whose members had an opportunity to play in small ensembles at the Thornton Winterfest last year," says Luchtenburg of the group's beginnings. The ensemble rehearsed just twice for their performance that included more than 20 holiday pieces. "We realized that we meshed--both personally and musically," reflects Lewis.

Through Thornton Community Band, the four flutists had continuing opportunities to meet and discuss the possibility of formalizing the group. "I was particularly excited," recalls Ray, who arrived at a TCB rehearsal one day in January with Phillip Buttall's "Lone Ar-Ranger" in hand for the foursome. The group expects that this piece, based on "The William Tell Overture" with nearly 40 themes woven throughout, will become a signature piece for the group.

With nearly 80 years of music experience among the four, Flute Salad includes the voices of the concert flute, as well as piccolo and the more unusual alto and bass flutes. Ray notes, "The alto flute has a stunning voice, yet there's very little concert music that incorporates the instrument. The quartet gives me an opportunity to play it and to introduce it to people." Ray's bass flute, with its goose-neck and large size, also elicits lots of looks and questions.

In just the past few months, the quartet has added more than 50 pieces to its repertoire. "We love the variety of classical, rag, jazz, swing, and standards we've compiled," says Losinski. With the variety and continuously growing repertoire, the group can develop programs for "schools, hospitals, retirement communities, and so much more," she continues.

Though community work is a key goal, Flute Salad aims to bring their music to people's events and occasions as well, including weddings, receptions, dinners, fairs, picnics, educational events, corporate events, conferences, memorials, and more. "Flute Salad would add a unique voice to any occasion," Losinski concludes.

For more information about Flute Salad, visit www.flutesalad.com.