May. 30, 2023 By Anthony Medina
The Glendale Maspeth United Methodist Church, on 66-14 Central Ave. in Glendale, will host the Flute Choir of New York for a free afternoon concert of classical music on Saturday, June 17.
Flutists as part of The Flute Choir of New York will play a series of classical music directed by an internationally acclaimed flutist and masterful teacher, Nicolas Duchamp.
Duchamp has an extensive resume as a flutist, having served as principal flutist for the National Opera Comique in Paris for decades, as noted in his personal website biography. He also toured around the globe in China, Europe, France, North America and Vietnam, showcasing the musical art behind the French flute.
“He not only plays beautifully, but he’s also a fantastic teacher,” said Brigette Brady, one of many flutists under Duchamp’s tutelage. “I think people are just drawn to him because he just sounds so wonderful. And when he plays when he teaches, it’s like the flute is a part of life. It’s just beautiful.”
The choir was first founded in Manhattan around 2014 and its success helped to expand into Queens, Duchamp told QNS. A total of 15 flutists gather every week to work on perfecting their craft and the group remains open to accepting new members.
“A lot of people should come,” Duchamp said. “It brings joy in people’s lives and I think it’s very important.”
Residents familiar with the choir might have seen a performance in neighboring churches, including the Maranatha Church, on 61-16 68th Ave. in Ridgewood.
“We also feel that music transcends any political barriers or social barriers or gender barriers and kind of unites everybody, because it’s a transcendence in the end, where you go beyond all of that,” Brady added. “So it’s just beautiful to be involved in music.”
Pastor Philip Hardt, and his wife Vineeta Hardt, told QNS they anticipate the event with great enthusiasm.
For more information on this event, you can contact the Glendale Maspeth United Methodist Church at 718-821-7882 or reach out to The Flute Choir of New York at 917-847-9474 or by email at flutechoirofnewyork@gmail.com.