PERU - Registration is open for flute players of all ages and ability levels for the 12th annual “Flute Day with Ian Clarke” interactive workshops. The workshops will take place on Saturday, Feb. 16 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at LaSalle Peru High School, LaSalle. Workshop participants will also perform with Clarke in a 5 p.m. concert at the high school. The concert will be open to the public.

An internationally known flutist and composer from the Guildhall School of Music & Drama in London, Clarke will be accompanied by guest clinicians Dr. Rebecca Johnson, Eastern Illinois University, and Gerald Carey, flute professor emeritus Western Illinois University.

Clarke, who is one of the leading flute players/composers in the world, is professor of flute at the Guildhall School and Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. He studied at the Guildhall School and Imperial College (London). He has been guest soloist and has taught at major conventions and events in Brazil, Canada, Iceland, Japan, many European countries and at many British Flute Society and National Flute Association (U.S.) events. He has given master-classes at leading music conservatories including the Royal Academy of Music in London, the Guildhall School and The Juilliard School in New York.

In addition, Clarke has co-led flute courses in California, England, the Netherlands and Scotland. His compositions are performed worldwide by internationally acclaimed performers, teachers, colleges and students as some of the most exciting flute repertoire to date. He recently completed a concerto for flute and strings, and also has written, produced and performed music for film and television.

Johnson has been on the faculty of Eastern Illinois University since 2007 and is a member of the chamber orchestra Sinfonia da Camera. Internationally, she has performed and taught at the International Flute Convention in Quito, Ecuador, since 2009. She has degrees from the University of Illinois, the University of Louisville, the Royal Northern College of Music, and the University of Northern Iowa. She performs with several chamber groups, teaches private students, and has performed at faculty recitals at Eastern Illinois University and National Flute Association conventions since 2010.

Carey is principal flute of the Quad City Symphony, a position he has held since 1978. He retired from Western Illinois University in 1999, where he was professor of flute and a founding member of the Camerata Woodwind Quintet. Internationally, he has presented concerts, recitals, and masterclasses in Argentina, Australia, Austria, Canada, China, Germany, Finland, France, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Peru, Poland, Taiwan, and the former Yugoslavia. He has recorded for Coronet, Mercury, Everest, Music Minus One, and Opus One Records.

“Flute Day is a series of interactive workshops for all ages and ability levels,” said Sue Gillio, owner of Music Suite 408/408 Fine Arts Factory/The Paintbox. “The morning session is always presented by a collegiate professor from an Illinois/Wisconsin university. It’s a great way for students to see their teaching style.”

Gillio said she has been fortunate to offer internationally acclaimed headliners who present the afternoon workshop and then a concert open to the public. “This year is no exception,” she added. “Ian Clarke, flutist/composer, is one of the world’s best.”

Registration information and costs are available at https://www.408fineartsfactory.com/12th-annual-flute-day-2019. Click on the icon link for the registration form. For more information, call Sue Gillio at (815) 223-4408. The workshops are presented by Music Suite 408, supported by North Central Illinois (NCI) ARTworks.

Concert tickets are $12 for adults and $8 for students through college age (with an ID).