We had the good fortune of connecting with Donna Pattison and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Donna, is your business focused on helping the community? If so, how?
Shimmer Flute Choir has three missions. The first is to provide a place for flute players at all levels a chance to grow and develop in their artistic skills and expression. The second mission is to provide community for the musicians in the group. It is a place to make lifelong friends while creating beautiful music. The third mission is to bring music into the community. We provide music for local events including museum and historical society functions. One of the most meaningful ways we give back is to perform for the residents of our local retirement communities.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Shimmer Flute Choir performs music scored for piccolo, C flute, alto, and bass flute. We play a wide variety of styles and will tackle just about anything, including music using extended flute techniques that capitalize on sounds that can be produced on the instrument but not necessarily the ones you expect. This year marks our 15th anniversary as an ensemble. We have produced 3 CDs over the years and performed for numerous events in the greater Houston area, The key to holding the group together is 6 – 10 performances a year, a play list that contains works that are a mix of challenging, fun, and beautiful, and making sure that all our members have opportunities for solos where they can shine. We are looking forward to returning to our regular rehearsal and performance schedules once the COVID19 pandemic is under control. New members are always welcome! There are never too many flutes in a flute choir!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Monday: Mercer Arboretum Tuesday: Butterfly Center at the Houston Museum of Natural Science Wednesday: Bayou Bend Thursday: Lunch and shopping in Old Town Spring or Tomball’s Town Center Friday: Pull up a lawn chair and enjoy a show at Miller Outdoor Theater Saturday: Brazos Bend State Park for bird and alligator watching; George Observatory for star gazing Sunday: Dinner at Local Table in Cypress

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
This Shoutout is dedicated to Cynthia Whitty, a french horn player and long time member of the Houston Symphonic Band who made arrangements for our first paid performance and was helpful in connecting us with performance opportunities in our early days as an ensemble. We are sad to announce she passed away recently but she will always be remembered with gratitude for her enthusiastic support.

Website: https://sites.google.com/site/shimmerflute/home

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shimmerflutechoir/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShimmerFlute/

Image Credits
Victoria Savelli Brett Pattison

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