This Saturday, Ball State University’s flute studio is presenting their annual Flute Day–the virtual edition! All sessions are free, from 9am-4pm, and will be held on Zoom. Registration is open through tomorrow at https://ballstatefluteday.weebly.com/. A schedule of events and materials can also be found there. This year’s featured performer is none other than Chicago Symphony Orchestra principal flute, Stefán Ragnar Höskuldsson.
Höskuldsson is the principal flutist of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, as well as a distinguished international soloist and chamber musician. Prior to joining the CSO, he served as principal flute of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra from 2008-2015. A native of Iceland, Stefán has been praised by the New York Times for his agility and warmth of expression. He also currently teaches at DePaul University in Chicago and has been a faculty member with the Pacific Music Festival in Japan since 2010. He has given master classes at The Juilliard School, Manhattan School of Music, Mannes College of Music, Guildhall School of Music and Drama, and the Royal Academy of Music.
Mr. Höskuldsson attended the Reykjavik School of Music in Iceland where he studied with Bernhard Wilkinson. Following his graduation, Stefán attended the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, England, where he studied with Peter Lloyd and Wissam Boustany. He regularly performs at Carnegie Hall with the Met Orchestra and Chamber Ensemble and in 2009 he was featured as a soloist in Pierre Boulez’s Mémoriale-Explosant Fixe. As a member of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Mr. Hoskuldsson has received two Grammy Awards in the category of best opera recording for Wagner´s Ring Cycle and Thomas Ades’ The Tempest. Stefán has been invited as guest principal flute with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Mostly Mozart Festival and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. His extensive solo performances include engagements with the Pacific Music Festival in Sapporo, recitals at the Sir James Galway International Flute Festival in Lucerne and a live radio broadcast with BBC Radio 3 In Tune in London.
Be sure to join me and flute players from around the country for Ball State’s Flute Day on Saturday! See you (on Zoom) there!
