Patrick Dillery on Jupiter's Full Line of Flutes

“In my teaching studio, I find that ensemble playing and the exploration of harmony flutes is often the best way to refine a student’s overall skill, and it is important to me to have this option for even my youngest players. When I’m asked which flute to buy, I recommend Jupiter for their immediate tonal response, ease of playability and intonation. Jupiter makes it possible for younger players to enjoy the benefits of ensemble playing by creating ‘student’ flutes with ‘professional’ standards.”

The Importance of Flute Ensembles
Patrick Dillery,
International Concert Soloist and Recording Artist, Educator,
Founder of Patrick and Friends Ensemble

In all my years as a professional musician, the times I spent playing chamber music are probably my fondest memories, much like moments spent in the company of family and friends. The simplicity of the conversations between the various instruments conveyed beautifully music's power as an international language, each instrument representing one language blending in harmony with another.

Being from the Midwest, my earliest musical experiences were with band programs in my junior high school, typical for a beginner flutist. Even though I excelled at the flute at an early age and studied privately, I still never had many chances to play in small ensembles. Eventually, I became part of a youth symphony and had the opportunity to play in wind trios, quartets and quintets as well as flute ensembles. Even before that, though, I began my chamber music experience with flute duets and the occasional flute/clarinet duet. I was fortunate, but the average junior high or high school flutist doesn't always have this opportunity.

There is, however, a solution to this lack of chamber music in school music programs; flute ensembles.

Getting Started

Flute ensembles can, of course, consist of duets and trios right on up to flute choirs. As most junior and senior high school bands have as many as twenty flutists, flute ensembles are a natural choice as an outlet for small ensemble playing, and any music director shouldn't have to look too far to find interesting and innovative literature for such ensembles. In fact, even beginners can play easy duets and trios after several lessons.

Actually, flute duets, trios, and even quintets, especially those by Boismortier, were common during the baroque period and have remained popular to the present day. The

Benefits to the Player

It is not uncommon for students unfamiliar with the other members of the modern flute family to shy away from attempting to tackle these instruments. Students need to be taught that these instruments are extremely enjoyable to play and challenging to master; but more importantly that they actually help their flute playing to improve significantly.

A student once asked me how I was able to produce such a clear and focused high register. Besides the typical lecture about the importance of tone studies, I told the student about all the time I spent playing piccolo and how it helped me to refine the focus in my embouchure, thereby giving me greater tonal control. The same can be said for playing alto and bass flute. The beautiful warm grainy texture and timbre of these instruments is of great value in developing a wider variety of colors on the c flute, especially in the low register.

Benefits to the Band or Orchestra

Besides the obvious benefit to a student's flute tone and musicianship, small ensemble playing helps students develop a greater appreciation and sensitivity in section playing, whether it is as part of a wind ensemble or orchestra. Flute ensemble and flute choir participation helps students develop a sense of communication, intonation and assists them in understanding their role as members of a larger ensemble. It is this sense of involvement and communication that will give students the pleasure I have been lucky enough to have over the years as part of numerous flute ensembles.

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