The Early Beginnings... The Las Vegas Flute Club was formed in the fall of 1981 by a group of local flutists The Las Vegas Flute Club was incorporated in the State of Nevada in the mid-1980’s and has received a tax-exempt status from the U.S. government. Conceived with the idea of promoting the flute and flute playing in the Las Vegas area, the group held an inaugural meeting around a master class given by the eminent Principal Flutist of the Pittsburg Symphony Orchestra, Bernard Goldberg. Successive activities during the first season included a master class by James Pellerite, then Professor of Flute at Indiana University, the annual Christmas Caroling in the malls and an April Fools Day concert. During its first year of operation, the LVFC boasted a membership of over 100, including: professionals, students, and flute enthusiasts from the Las Vegas community. The Flute Club has been active as a community service organization as well, having participated in fund-raising events of the Allied Arts Council and performing in area shopping malls during various promotional seasons. In later years... The LVFC promoted a wide range of flute-related activities including master classes with Toshiko Kohno, Principal Flute of the National Symphony Orchestra; Louise Di Tullio, a former member of the Los Angeles Philharmonic; Erich Graf, Principal Flutist of the Utah Symphony; Eric Hoover, former Professor of Flute at Arizona State University; John Solum, Baroque Flutist; and the late Julius Baker, former Principal Flutist of the New York Philharmonic. Later, the LVFC began tapping the talents of its own members including flutists Dr. Richard Soule and Jo Raquel Marcune, two of the group’s original founders. Members including Rebecca Boyd, Jo Marcune, Richard Soule and Mary Walters have presented clinics to the general public sponsored by the LVFC, focused on a wide range of topics. A series on jazz flute was begun by the late Bob Pierson and his quintet. Most notable was the inception of the LVFC “National Flute Association Competition Recital.” This program identified a young flutist from the Las Vegas area as the LVFC representative to the National Flute Association Convention. The LVFC has since expanded the competition to include amateur flutists under the age of 30 nationwide. Now known as the LVFC Young Artist Competition, it includes a preliminary taped round followed by a final round of 3 flutists to compete at the Las Vegas Flute Fair in the spring. The grand prize winner receives a cash prize from the LVFC. The main goals of the Las Vegas Flute Club are to promote the flute and flute playing in the Las Vegas area. The organization achieves this goal through its regular programs and meetings as well as through its monthly newsletter. The LVFC Flute Choir, typical among flute clubs nationwide, was established in 1984. This group meets in conjunction with monthly club meetings and represents the nucleus of the LVFC’s public performance ensemble.
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