Five students from the UNO Flute Studio traveled to Oklahoma from October 23–25, to participate in the 2026 FNMC New Music Festival, culminating in a featured performance on the festival’s Saturday evening Gala Concert. UNO flutists Grace Dixon, Leah Retelsdorf, Gianna Sampson, and George Wirth showcased their musicianship with an energetic performance of Ascension (2025) for flute quartet by Christian Glascock. UNO flutist Eva Yagüe-Dunn, bass flutist Noah Pool (a doctoral student at the Univ. of Oklahoma), and UNO’s Professor of Percussion Dr. Hannah Weaver also joined the group for a shimmering performance of Pixels (2021) by Kevin Day, written for solo marimba with flute ensemble.

Throughout the three-day festival, UNO’s flute students immersed themselves in an exciting celebration of contemporary music, attending performances by professional flutists and other musicians from across the United States. Beyond the concert hall, the festival offered valuable opportunities to connect with fellow musicians, build professional relationships, and experience the creativity and collaboration that make the new music community thrive.

The students’ acceptance to and participation in this national festival highlights the studio’s commitment to musical excellence, innovative and relevant programming strategies, and meaningful engagement with the broader professional music community. Held every two years, the Flute New Music Consortium’s New Music Festival celebrates contemporary music through performances of works composed within the past 40 years, a national solo competition, and numerous world premieres—including the annual FNMC consortium commission. For video/photos from the trip, visit the UNO Flute Studio’s page on Facebook or Instagram.