The opportunity for a concert tour of Hungary in 2006 was the catalyst for the formation of Morningstar Flute Ensemble. When her Hungarian friend Miklos (Mike) Bus was willing to arrange such a venture, Charlotte Ellis invited a select group of flutist friends to participate - and Morningstar was born.
Since then, the ensemble has given concerts in several states and recorded a CD of soothing music.
Morningstar’s eclectic 3 p.m. concert Sunday, July 21, at First Presbyterian Church, Kingsport, Tennessee, includes music by Beethoven and Mendelssohn, a rag by Scott Joplin, traditional melodies and Celtic music, and is performed on the commonly heard C flute and not-so-commonly heard alto and bass flutes.
The group derives its name from the occasions that Ellis’ mother carried her very young daughter into the early morning darkness to view the morning star, memories that have remained vivid and special over the many intervening years.
Hayley Goad is a flutist and teacher from Jonesborough, Tennessee. A student of Dr. Shelley Binder, she earned her music education degree from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and is a middle school band director in Unicoi County. Goad has been an avid performer for many years. She won MTNA’s Solo Competition in the Senior Woodwinds Division in 2008 and placed in Hampton Roads Flute Faire’s College Competition in 2009. She was a member of the University of Tennessee’s Wind Ensemble for nine consecutive semesters.
Erik Peterson is a flutist from Johnson City, Tennessee. A graduate of East Tennessee State University, he studied flute under Rebecca Paluzzi. During his studies, he played with the flute choir and Wind Ensemble, where he was principal flute for three consecutive semesters. He works at ETSU for the university’s tutoring center and plays with the Johnson City Community Band.
Morningstar Flute Ensemble’s founder, Ellis, is a freelance musician and composer living in Blountville, Tennessee. She performs in a number of ensembles in the East Tennessee area, including the flute and piano duo Windsong and Bittersweet Celtic Ensemble. She has toured in Britain, China, Australia and New Zealand with the Veterans Administration National Medical Musical Group. Ellis is a member of the National Flute Association and a former flute instructor and the owner of Flour Fancies Bakery.
A reception follows the concert with an opportunity to visit with musicians and examine their instruments.
For more information, contact Ellis at 423-323-4933.
