Athens, Ga. – The University of Georgia Performing Arts Center will host the Sir James Galway Flute Festival June 26 through July 1. Galway, known as “the master of the flute,” has presented his festival in Switzerland for the past 25 years, but this will be the first time he is bringing it to the U.S.
The six-day festival allows flute students to train with the world’s most eminent flutists. The program includes master classes, workshops, guest artist evening concerts, flute exhibitors and the Galway Festival Flute Choir.
Festival attendees are coming to Athens from across the U.S. and from countries around the globe, including Canada, England, Italy and Taiwan.
The Galway Festival will feature four concerts that are open to the public. Galway and his wife Lady Jeanne Galway will perform the opening gala recital June 26 at 7 p.m. in Hodgson Concert Hall. A reception follows the concert. Tickets for the opening recital are $35 and $5 for students.
Stefán Höskuldsson, principal flute for the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, will offer a recital June 28 at 7 p.m. in Ramsey Concert Hall. Lorna McGhee, principal flute for the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, will perform a recital June 29 at 3:30 p.m. in Ramsey Concert Hall. Tickets for each recital are $10 and $5 for students.
The closing concert will take place July 1 at 7 p.m. in Hodgson Concert Hall and will showcase the Festival Flute Choir under the direction of Galway. The closing concert is free but tickets are required.
Tickets for the Galway Flute Festival concerts are available at the Performing Arts Center box office, online at pac.uga.edu or by calling 706-542-4400 or toll free at 888-289-8497.