NFA Convention 2008- Kansas City

fluteguy18 · Post by **fluteguy18** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 7:43 pm

Hello everyone!

I was wanting to start a thread about this year's NFA convention.

Is anyone going? I am going, and I am currently in the need of a room mate or two [males only- sorry ladies!

]. I currently have a reservation in the Westin Centre which is near the Hyatt [where the Convention is being held]. Hopefully my history on this board shows you a little of who I am. AS for the flesh and blood me, I am clean, friendly, respectful, a bit quiet, and an all around easy person to be around.

So, if you are interested PLEASE send me a private message. I am hoping to cut the costs down as much as possible, and this is one of the few ways I can do it.

Aside from my not so subtle advertisement, comments about NFA anyone?

sidekicker · Post by **sidekicker** » Tue Jun 03, 2008 9:52 am

I will say that any of you younger flutists (and oldtimers

) should try to go to at least one of these when it is reasonably close to you if at all possible. The NFA convention is a great place to meet people in this field, and especially to hear some of the best flute playing you will ever hear in one place. The only criticism, if it is a criticism at all, is that there are so many things to do. You will often have to choose between events because there are normally several things going on at one time.

But I urge everyone to go if you can. As for me, I doubt I will make it this year even though it's just a few hours away. But I have a good reason for having to miss

SK

cflutist · Post by **cflutist** » Tue Jun 03, 2008 1:07 pm

Having never attended before, is this something that you bring your flute to? Are there opportunities for an old person to play?

fluteguy18 · Post by **fluteguy18** » Wed Jun 04, 2008 7:46 am

I haven't been to NFA before [and therefore I am VERY excited]. I have been to other flute conventions though, and bringing your flute is practically expected. There are sometimes open masterclasses, and during certain classes or presentations, the instructor might ask everyone to get their flutes out to try something. So, it is definitely a good idea to bring a flute along.

sidekicker · Post by **sidekicker** » Wed Jun 04, 2008 8:20 am

Yes, I have always brought my flute for several reasons:

Sometimes there are flute choir reading sessions that anybody can join.

You can try out other products, even if you don't intend to buy right now, like head joints, crowns, Foster extensions, etc. It's probably the rarest opportunities you will have to see and experiment with many of those types of things right there in one place.

The convention ends every year with all the participants playing Bach's Air on the G String. It's an incredible experience to be in the midst of a couple thousand flute players performing a great piece of music.

Almost always, you can link up with other people for private duet (or other ensemble) sessions. Sometimes people advertise on the main bulletin board for that type of stuff.

There is always a guarded security post where you can check your flute while you do other things. That doesn't mean that your flute can't be stolen in other ways, though. Unfortunately, almost every year several people have their flutes stolen. This has been greatly reduced, though, because of procedures (like the security station) and repeated warnings throughout the convention about how to keep you and your instrument safe. I've never felt insecure about having my flute with me at convention. Having once served a term as the NFA legal adviser, I can tell you that NFA takes instrument (and people) security very, very, seriously and works with the facility to ensure that its members will have the highest degree of safety possible for themselves and their instruments.

You will very likely be buying more flute music. Having your flute there with you allows you to dig right into things

.

Those are just a few reasons. But, having gone to several of these over the years, it's pretty standard that people bring their instruments with them. You can, however, still enjoy the convention without bringing your flute at all. It's really your call if you want to do it or not.

SK

cflutist · Post by **cflutist** » Wed Jun 04, 2008 8:31 am

Thanks for the info SK.

Looks like the next one in California is in 2010 ... maybe I'll try to go.

sidekicker · Post by **sidekicker** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 12:37 pm

Think I've changed my mind. Made my reservation, so I'm likely to be there after all.

Who all else is planning to go?

SK

<3 Flute and Picc · Post by **<3 Flute and Picc** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 4:07 pm

I can't Kansas City is crazy far away.
Does/will the NFA ever come to Georgia or any state kind of close to it (Alabama, North/South Carolina, Tennessee, Florida)?

fluttiegurl · Post by **fluttiegurl** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 4:08 pm

It was in Nashville in 04. That was the last one I attended for the same reason.

<3 Flute and Picc · Post by **<3 Flute and Picc** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 4:12 pm

Ah, okay.
I wish they would come here. Nobody ever comes here. lol. Music bands always seem to come to the surrounding states, but skip Georgia. Is there any way to find out their planned cities?

fluteguy18 · Post by **fluteguy18** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 4:47 pm

You can go to their website ( http://www.nfaonline.org ) I think that is the website....

If you go and look there, you can find a list of the upcoming locations for about 4-5 years I think.

sidekicker · Post by **sidekicker** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 4:57 pm

Having helped do some of the hotel contracts for NFA, I can tell you that NFA does try hard to move the convention around the country so that it is reasonably close to everyone at some point.

The problem is that the number of cities with the type of facilities (and number of rooms) the convention needs is getting fewer as the number of attendees grows. They have been an enormous success. There is not a long list of cities large enough for a convention of that size. That is why it seems as though it's not going to enough places. Also, NFA generally tries to alternate between east coast, middle U.S., and west coast. NFA also prefers to keep it all in one hotel if at all possible. This year they are using two, but they are joined by a sky bridge. Several years ago, in San Diego I think, the convention was held between 3 separate hotels and was basically a logistical nightmare; lots of people hated it. So they try to avoid splitting things up.

In the south-east US, unfortunately, there are not very many cities that can host the NFA convention. It should be back in Atlanta sometime soon, I think (or hope). My advice would be to just save up for one, rather than wait for it to come close to you. You'll likely get to the convention faster that way.

SK

<3 Flute and Picc · Post by **<3 Flute and Picc** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 11:22 pm

I just looked and it says they will be in Charlotte, NC in 2011. That will be the year I graduate so I'll have college in the fall. I hope I will be able to make it. Yay! I'll drive to NC. That's pretty close to here.
Is there a membership fee or registration fee or anything?

apicultrice · Post by **apicultrice** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 8:16 am

I'm going!! And I am actually presenting this year, which is kind of exciting but also nervewracking. I haven't been since Nashville in '04. I can't believe how expensive the whole thing is, but it's a great experience - take almost everyone you've ever met in the flute world and put them all in one hotel.. Worlds colliding! Kind of strange.

fluteguy18 · Post by **fluteguy18** » Tue Aug 05, 2008 8:41 am

It's almost here! YAY!

Anyone interested in a Fluteland get-together?

If so, feel free to start a private message thread.

See you there!