Explore how CAFE Flutes adapts music across genres for flute choir arrangements, showcasing the creativity and versatility of our ensemble. Join us for a memorable musical experience! Contact us at 480-242-2124 for more information.

CAFE on stage

For every polished and engaging performance that CAFE Flutes presents, there’s a great deal of preparation happening behind the scenes. As a flute ensemble committed to providing interactive and enriching concerts, we take careful steps to ensure that each program is thoughtfully curated, well-rehearsed, and tailored to the audience we will be performing for. From rehearsals to repertoire selection to final refinements, here’s a look at how we bring our music to life.

Rehearsing as an Ensemble

CAFE Flutes meets for rehearsals approximately every two weeks, striking a balance between maintaining a rigorous standard of musicianship and allowing time for individual practice. Unlike large symphonies or professional touring ensembles that rehearse multiple times a week, we have to make the most of our sessions together. This means arriving prepared, having already practiced our individual parts so that rehearsals can focus on ensemble cohesion—blending our sound, fine-tuning dynamics, and perfecting transitions.

After a July 2024 rehearsal, CAFE celebrates our 10th anniversary

As a flute choir, we play a wide range of instruments, from the piccolo to the rare contrabass flute. This creates unique challenges in balance and intonation that we work through in rehearsals. The piccolo’s high, bright tones must blend smoothly with the deeper resonance of the alto, bass, and contrabass flutes. Additionally, since flute choirs function without a conductor in most settings, we rely on strong communication, visual cues, and musical intuition to keep our performances seamless.

Curating the Program

A defining feature of CAFE Flutes is our ability to customize each concert program based on our audience. We don’t take a “one size fits all” approach to performances. Instead, we thoughtfully select pieces that will resonate with the specific group we’re playing for.

Discover CAFE Flutes' "Beyond the Notes," highlighting our educational initiatives and community engagement. Join us in celebrating music's power to connect! Contact us at 480-242-2124 for more information.

Touching is learning

For example, when performing at senior communities, we prioritize selections from classical music, oldies, and Broadway show tunes—genres that spark nostalgia and joy. In contrast, when we play at libraries, where families and children are likely to be in attendance, we make sure to include Disney songs and interactive moments where kids can join in using small percussion instruments.

This level of customization requires both musical flexibility and a deep repertoire. It also means that we are constantly expanding our playlist, learning new arrangements, and refining our interpretations to ensure that every audience has a meaningful experience.

Balancing Familiarity and Growth

While we enjoy performing audience favorites, we also challenge ourselves to learn new music regularly. Each season, we introduce fresh arrangements that expand our technical abilities and keep our concerts dynamic. Some pieces require extra time to master, particularly those with complex rhythms, fast-moving passages, or intricate harmonies.

Holiday Delight program

For holiday performances, we prepare seasonal selections that highlight both well-loved classics and lesser-known gems. A winter concert might include international carols, lighthearted favorites like Sleigh Ride, and more meditative pieces such as O Holy Night. The goal is to create a well-rounded program that captures the spirit of the season.

Beyond seasonal themes, we also explore different musical styles, from jazz-inspired pieces to patriotic medleys to cinematic scores. This keeps our repertoire fresh and ensures that we are continually growing as musicians.

Fine-Tuning the Details

Once we’ve learned the music and shaped the program, we focus on the finer details that make our concerts engaging. Since CAFE Flutes is known for its interactive performances, we consider how to present each piece in a way that enhances audience connection.

Rather than distributing printed programs, we introduce each selection with interesting tidbits about the composer, the historical background, or unique features of the music. This storytelling approach makes the experience more personal and allows listeners to engage with the music on a deeper level.

Additionally, we incorporate visual and tactile elements. We often pass around demonstration flutes, allowing the audience to see and feel the instruments up close. In birthday celebrations, we decorate a music stand with a birthday cake banner and play a creative arrangement of Happy Birthday, making the moment feel special.

Final Preparations and Performance Day

Demonstrating the flute family at the Glendale Public Library

As the concert date approaches, we hold final rehearsals to solidify transitions, unify tempos, and fine-tune musical expression. While the bulk of the preparation happens in advance, these last run-throughs allow us to refine the small details that can make a performance truly exceptional.

On performance day, we arrive early to set up, tune, and adjust to the acoustics of the space. Different venues present different challenges—some are more resonant, requiring careful control of dynamics, while others may absorb sound, necessitating adjustments in articulation and projection. We take the time to adapt, ensuring that our performance is well-balanced and clear for our audience.

The Joy of Sharing Music

Ultimately, all of our preparation comes down to one thing: creating a meaningful musical experience for our listeners. Whether we are performing for a large crowd in a theater or an intimate gathering at a senior center, our goal is to engage, inspire, and connect through music.

Behind every seamless performance is a process of careful planning, dedicated rehearsals, and thoughtful programming. At CAFE Flutes, we take pride in not just playing music, but crafting an experience—one that brings joy to our audiences and deepens our appreciation for the art of flute ensemble performance.

About CAFE Flutes

CAFE enriches, enlightens, and inspires Central Arizona residents by presenting interactive concerts and educational programs that showcase the flute family’s diverse instruments.
The 7-member group offers interactive concert programs that feature various musical styles:  show tunes, patriotic, folk, oldies, pop, and classical. They demonstrate all their instruments, including the 10-foot-long contrabass flute, and introduce each piece with interesting tidbits about the music and composer.

The flutists take it a step further during the concert by passing around demonstration flutes and piccolos, allowing the audience to experience the instruments firsthand.

Since 2014, they have performed over 250 concerts, including Desert Botanical Garden, Mesa Art Center, senior communities libraries, art galleries, Tempe History Museum, Arizona Broadway Theatre, and Peoria Center for Performing Arts.

With a music library of over 150 pieces, CAFE Flutes can customize their concert to fit the occasion.  Themed programs include a selection of Patriotic, St. Patrick’s Day, Summer, Show Tunes, Singalong, Mother’s Day, and Winter Holiday melodies.

Are you looking for a fun, educational experience?  “Fascinating Flutes” is a 2-person demonstration of flutes worldwide through live performance, storytelling, videos, photos, and sound clips. Diverse flutes are sent around the room for listeners to examine up close in this 1-hour presentation.

Music creates community while activating memories, movement, and emotions all at the same time!  Research confirms that listening to live music, especially with others, enhances overall health.  CAFE harnesses the power of music to connect people in our community.

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