August is always an exciting time of year. A new school year appears on the horizon while the summer continues to provide relaxing beach vibes. August also sees the National Flute Association’s annual convention during the first or second week of the month. This year, the NFA Convention is scheduled to take place from August 1-4 in San Antonio, Texas. Hundreds of flutists will be gathering for performances, lecturers, panel discussions, an exhibit hall full of flutes, music, and various flute swag, and the opportunity to connect with other flutists from all over the country. With so many super awesome events, it is often challenging to truly maximize the benefits of attending such a large flute conference. In this blog, I will be discussing some of my best advice for getting the most out of the NFA Convention. Remember, it is not all about the events. This is also a great opportunity to make new flute friends and strengthen existing relationships with fellow flutists.
Tip #1 – Get the app! The NFA provides an app to navigate the entire convention. Download it! Familiarize yourself with all of the menus. This super convenient resource provides info on all the available events each day in one place, helping you organize your personal schedule. The most up to date concert programs are also uploaded to the app, so no need to carry around 50,000 paper programs. The app also includes a map of the entire convention location. This is super handy for finding everything from the gala concert location to the exhibit hall and everything in between.
Tip #2 – Perform in the Opening Flute Choir (if possible). The Opening Flute Choir is typically a first come, first serve volunteer playing opportunity, available upon registering for the convention. This is a very popular way to kick off the convention in style! A great way to meet new flute friends immediately, this is also an excellent opportunity to work with the very best flute choir conductors and often with the composers themselves. You will gain valuable performing experience on a large NFA stage.
Tip #3 – Try to attend a mixture of events. Yes, attend any and all performances that interest you (especially the gala concerts – these are a MUST), but also try to catch a healthy dose of lectures, panel discussions, and other interactive workshops. There is so much knowledge within our flute community and many wonderful hidden nuggets of inspiration in the most unexpected places. This is how the National Flute Association remains a multi-faceted resource for us all.
Tip #4 – Ask questions! Don’t be afraid to ask questions from even the most awesomely intimidating of professional flutists. I was once standing in line at the airport next to the great Jim Walker, who was about to board the same flight I was back to California following an NFA convention. I wanted desperately to ask him about Jazz flute playing but was paralyzed with fear. The woman seated next to me on the plane, however, had no such intimidation and asked him for an introduction with me. We met when the plane landed, and he indeed offered valuable advice on the very best ways to get started learning Jazz flute. The lesson: Pick the brains of the experts! Their knowledge will often help set you on a new path.
Tip #5 – Take selfies with super cool flutists and composers. This one is inspired by my good friend, the late Valerie Erickson, whose Facebook was often filled with selfies with other super active (and super awesome) professional flutists at NFA conventions. A selfie can go a long way in creating lasting and memorable connections. Meeting folks in person, taking a selfie, tagging them on Instagram, and having a genuine chat goes much further than you think. This is networking in a welcoming, collaborative way, promoting camaraderie with a simple snap of a picture.
Tip #6 – Tour the exhibit hall (and keep your eyes open for freebies). If you are in the market for a new flute, this is the very best time to lay down the plastic and make that purchase. Flute companies such as Carolyn Nussbaum often offer discounts during the NFA Convention. Take advantage of these deals to score your dream instrument at a great price with experts to help you navigate all the bells and whistles. Also keep your eyes open for free gifts with a purchase. I have an extensive collection of reusable bags from all the best flute booths and a first aid kit and USB-C adapter from The Carolyn Nussbaum Music Company that forever lives in my flute bag.
Tip #7 – Look for super cool hidden gems in the exhibit hall. On my Flute Friday blog series, I publish an annual NFA Product Review post. Each year, I tour all the big-name flute swag booths in the exhibit hall in search of the newest and most popular flute accessories. This is how I found amazing products such as the Win-D-Fender, Wiseman Flute Cases, and Geoghegan Company Headjoints. I’ve scored some great flute gear upgrades over the years and have helped give many smaller companies a boost in sales when stumbling upon a hidden gem.
Tip #8 – Even if you aren’t in the market for a new flute, try out a few models in the exhibit hall. This will help you determine what brands and models you enjoy most, what the realistic price point will be for your next flute purchase, and which bells and whistles are non-negotiable. This is also a great opportunity to try out other upgrades such as a new headjoint or a fun sound-boosting add-on such as a gemstone crown. I scored a great Mancke headjoint several years ago from the man himself, Tobias Mancke, at a past NFA convention.
Tip #9 – Bring a notebook with you to everything. Of course, take notes at any of the lecturers and panel discussions like a good forever flute student, but also write down the names of any interesting pieces you hear at recitals. You may also have a super great idea out of nowhere. Write it down! Some of my best blog concepts have come from sparks of inspiration I had during an NFA Convention Gala concert!
Tip #10 – Build memories with flute friends outside of the convention walls. Explore the city with flute friends both new and old. Go out to dinner away from the hubbub and talk shop or even just connect over various challenges and wins in our shared flute lives. Find great ideas for future collaborations over appetizers. Discuss project proposals for next year’s convention at the nearby coffee shop. This is a fun opportunity to build, or even reignite, lasting and positive flute relationships. We are all better when we work together!
Do you have any great tips for navigating the NFA Convention? What are your favorite memories from past conventions?
Happy fluting!
About the Author, Rachel Taylor Geier:
Rachel Taylor Geier holds a DMA in Flute Performance from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, an MM in Flute Performance from San Francisco State University, and a BM in Music Performance from DePauw University. Former applied instructors include Immanuel Davis, Linda Lukas, Anne Reynolds, and Rhonda Bradetich. Dr. Geier currently teaches and freelances in Davis, California and hosts a popular Flute Friday Blog Series.