The Flutopia Initiative will present its annual pre-NFA convention “Play It Forward” benefit concert via video on Facebook on Wednesday, August 5 at 6:00pm CST featuring international headliners Christine Erlander Beard (USA), Wissam Boustany (LBN), Marianne Gedigian (USA), Viviana Guzman (Chile/USA), Guoliang Han (China), Cathy Herrera (USA), Gaspar Hoyos (Columbia/FR), Julie Maisel (Ireland), Goran Marcusson (Sweden), Sergio Pallottelli (Italy/USA), and Sonora Slocum (USA) — plus very special guest, Paula Robison (USA).

The national “Play it Forward” concerts are held on the eve of each National Flute Association convention to benefit a convention-city charity, with all donations going to each year’s selected beneficiary. This year’s NFA convention was to be held in Dallas, and the corresponding beneficiary was to be Heroes for Children, a Dallas-based organization that assists families with children battling cancer. To view the concert, go to http://www.facebook.com/events/1689539287859927. The event is FREE to view through Thursday, August 6; an option to give donations online will be accepted during the concert.

Following the official Flutopia event, Dr. Beard’s performance of “Hall of Ghosts” (2020) for solo piccolo by American composer Amanda Harberg will be available via her website at http://www.christiebeard.com, as well as from the composer’s website.