At every CAFE Flutes concert, one of the most engaging and informative moments happens before we play a single piece of music: we introduce and demonstrate the instruments of the flute family. This isn’t just a tradition—it’s a core part of who we are and how we connect with our audiences. From children at a library to older adults in senior communities to music lovers in a concert hall, everyone is invited to experience something new, unexpected, and delightfully educational.
A Diverse Family of Instruments
When people hear the word “flute,” they often picture the standard silver concert flute—the one most commonly seen in bands and orchestras. But the flute family is much more diverse than many realize. In our seven-member flute choir, we play five different types of flutes: the piccolo, C flute, alto flute, bass flute, and contrabass flute.
Each instrument has a unique sound, register, and role within the ensemble. The piccolo, our tiniest flute, adds brilliance and sparkle. The C flute—what most people think of when they hear “flute”—provides the melodic core. The mellow alto and rich bass fill in the harmony, while the rare contrabass flute, stretching ten feet in length, grounds the ensemble with a surprisingly resonant low end. Demonstrating each of these flutes allows our audience to hear how different they sound on their own—and how they blend together into one cohesive musical voice.
Making the Unfamiliar Accessible
Having fun with contrabass flute
Most people have never seen a flute choir before, let alone heard instruments like the alto or contrabass flute. By introducing the flute family at the beginning of the concert, we create a context for the music that follows. It gives our audience a visual and auditory roadmap, helping them appreciate the different voices they’ll hear during the performance.
We also like to pass around a demonstration flute and piccolo (under supervision and with care), allowing audience members to feel the instruments for themselves. That hands-on connection is especially powerful for younger audiences and seniors alike—it transforms the flute from a distant concert instrument into something tangible, real, and exciting.
Engaging Listeners of All Ages
Creating a lasting memory
Whether we’re performing at a library, art gallery, senior center, or theater, we tailor our concerts to suit the audience. At library concerts or intergenerational events, we include Disney songs and upbeat selections that are perfect for kids. Children are often invited to help out by playing sleigh bells, tambourines, or maracas during festive numbers. These moments are fun, interactive, and memorable.
At senior communities, the experience is different but equally meaningful. Our older audiences often enjoy music that evokes memories—show tunes, classical favorites, patriotic medleys, and “oldies but goodies.” For these listeners, seeing and hearing instruments they may never have encountered before offers an element of discovery. Many residents share that they’ve heard flute music their whole lives, but never imagined it could come in such a wide range of sounds.
Building Connection Through Conversation
A hands-on experience with flutes
Demonstrating the flute family isn’t just educational—it’s a way to build a personal connection with our audience. We deliberately avoid the traditional concert format where musicians remain behind music stands and audiences listen in silence. Instead, we move in and out from behind our stands to speak directly to the audience, introduce our music, share anecdotes, and answer questions.
The instrument demonstration is the first step in this conversation. It breaks down the barrier between performer and listener, sets an inviting tone, and lets people know they’re not just spectators—they’re participants in the musical journey.
Celebrating the Unique Sound of the Flute Choir
Introducing flutes
Each flute adds color, depth, and character to the flute choir’s overall sound. By highlighting the individual instruments at the start of each concert, we help our audiences hear how those layers come together. Suddenly, a soft alto flute line stands out, or a jazzy piccolo solo makes perfect sense in context. As one recent listener put it: “I didn’t realize what I was hearing until you pointed it out—and now I can’t stop listening for the bass flute!”
We want our audiences to leave the concert with a greater appreciation not only for the music, but for how that music is made. Our demonstration helps listeners become more aware of texture, timbre, and instrumentation. Even non-musicians tell us they start listening differently after that introduction.
An Invitation to Learn and Listen
After-concert inquiries
CAFE Flutes is committed to enriching, enlightening, and inspiring our community through music. Introducing the flute family at every concert supports all three goals. It enriches the experience by providing context, enlightens listeners by expanding their understanding of music, and inspires curiosity—especially among those who have never picked up a musical instrument before.
So the next time you attend a CAFE concert, expect more than just a performance. Expect to meet the flute family, learn something new, and hear music in a fresh and engaging way. For us, demonstrating our instruments isn’t just part of the concert—it’s the beginning of a deeper musical dialogue with our community.
About CAFE Flutes
CAFE is a 7-member traveling flute choir that 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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