CD of concertos to be released, including two written for April Clayton

During the 2006-2007 school year, April Clayton performed and recorded with the BYU Chamber Orchestra.  Included on the resulting new CD are two compositions which were written for her: the Todd Coleman Flute Concerto, commissioned through BYU’s Barlow Endowment, and Murray Boren’s Elegy.  Her CD is currently being edited, and will be released on the Tantara record label in 2008.  In addition to the new works, Ms. Clayton recorded the Lukas Foss Renaissance Concerto (previously commissioned through the Barlow Endowment), as well as the Mozart Flute Concerto in D Major with April’s original cadenzas.

Continuing projects in Paris

April Clayton has strong ties to the enormously respected French school of flute playing and flute literature.  She began her collegiate flute studies with Michel Debost at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music.  For many years Mr. Debost had been the flute professor at the Paris Conservatory.  In her later studies at The Juilliard School, Ms. Clayton’s doctoral document was entitled The French Flute Sonata and Sonatine from Debussy (1915) to Boulez (1946).  She now continues her work with French music through the European American Musical Alliance, which holds a summer program in Paris each year.  She is Chamber Music Faculty and currently directs the chamber music program.  For information, visit www.eamusic.org.  Additionally, during the 2007-2008 school year, April will spend several months in Paris while on her sabbatical.  She will teach and perform in Europe, and further research on her doctoral document topic for future publication.

Carnegie Hall concert of premieres scheduled for 2007-2008 season

Continuing her commitment to new music, April Clayton is performing a concert of premieres at Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall on April 22, 2008.  Included will be premieres of flute works by Benjamin C.S. Boyle, Philip Lasser, Harold Meltzer, Eric Sessler, and Manuel Sosa.

Congratulations to students of April Clayton!

During the 2006-2007 school year, students of Dr. Clayton accomplished the following:

Congratulations to Margaret Bennett, Sakura Fujiwara, Kiersten Halladay, Sherry Lowry, Gina Luciani, and Nadine Watson Luke!  During this year, they were accepted to top music programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels including: Arizona State University, Brigham Young University, Rutgers, University of Colorado at Boulder, University of Michigan, University of Southern California, and The Colburn School.

Gina Luciani, in addition, won the Utah Flute Association Scholarship Competition.  The UFA gives this award to one graduating high school senior annually.  Gina has been Principal Flute with the Utah Youth Symphony and will depart for Colburn this summer. 

Kimberly Schrader Andre won the Utah Music Teachers’ Association College Woodwind Soloist Competition.  She was also accepted as a performer in Alexa Still’s summer flute masterclass.

Erica Harper and Jenni Nealon were accepted into the European American Musical Alliance’s Summer Program in Paris, France, as chamber musicians.

Incoming BYU “freshperson” Amber Packard was recently showcased on the PBS radio program “From the Top”.  She can still be heard on the production’s Radio Show Archive online.

Sarah Smith, who earned her M.M. at BYU, won the position of Principal Flute with the Salt Lake Symphony (formerly held by flutist Laurel Ann Maurer).

Other students with recent accomplishments?  Please let me know, so I can let others know!