On Saturday, January 18, the UNO Flute Studio traveled to Kansas City to audit a masterclass taught by the Berlin Philharmonic’s principal flutist, Emmanuel Pahud. Co-sponsored by the KC Symphony and the KC Flute Association, the 2.5 hour class featured music by Perilhou, CPE Bach, Philippe Gaubert, and Robert Muczynski, and drew flutists from across the midwest to learn from Pahud, who is widely revered as (one of) the greatest living flutists of the 21st century.

After the class, Dr. Beard and her students enjoyed some iconic KC BBQ before returning to the Kauffman Center that evening to revel in a flute-centric program featuring Pahud and the KC Symphony. The program opened with Debussy’s “Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune” which begins with one of the most iconic solo flute passages in all of the orchestral repertoire, performed beautifully by KCSO’s principal flute, Michael Gordon. Pahud then joined the orchestra for a haunting performance of “Nocturne” for flute and strings by Michael Tilson Thomas, followed by a dazzling performance of Jacques Ibert’s 20th c. masterpiece, the Concerto for Flute and Orchestra, which Pahud performed effortlessly from memory. The program concluded with the (Organ) Symphony No. 3 by Camille Saint-Saens, showcasing the hall’s extraordinary pipe organ.

The UNO flute students returned to Omaha inspired, enriched, and in awe of Pahud’s incredible tone, phrasing, and control of the instrument – providing the perfect motivation to kickstart the spring 2025 semester! #unoflutestudio #unoflutes