NATCHITOCHES — Two Northwestern State music students, Lennon Cooke of Pineville and Hallie Ward of Cleveland, have received scholarships to attend the 35th Galway Summer Flute Festival in Meggen, Luzern, Switzerland, on June 13-17.
Cooke is a sophomore music performance major and Ward will receive a Master of Music with a concentration in performance on May 9. Both are students in the studio of Assistant Professor of Flute Dr. Stephen Clark.
Clark said the Galway Flute Festival is unique and brings the most important players from around the world together. The Festival is led by Sir James Galway, the world’s most famous and celebrated flute player. He is a soloist who has performed for decades around the world, sold over 30 million albums and is former principal flute of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra (regarded by many as the world’s greatest orchestra). His wife Lady Jeanne Galway is also a distinguished flutist.
“As a former student of Sir James’, I personally have known him for many years and have served as his teaching assistant since 2017 so I am very grateful to him and Lady Jeanne for including my own NSU students this year,” said Clark.
The students will have the opportunity to learn in person with Sir James Galway and the other guest artists at the festival which will include the principal flutes of the Vienna Philharmonic, National Orchestra of France and London Symphony Orchestra.
“I believe that this amazing opportunity will push me to grow as a musician and allow me to learn from some of the world’s greatest flute players,” said Cooke. “I am very excited to see and hear music that will set a new standard for me to work towards.”
Ward said she is fortunate to have an opportunity to attend a Festival with many of the top flutists in the world.
“I will have the opportunity to work with many world-class flute players that I have looked up to throughout my life,” said Ward. “I can’t believe I will get to attend and intern at a festival with so many musicians I have grown up listening to. I also can’t believe I will get to meet Sir James Galway and Lady Jeanne Galway and feel so lucky I study with a teacher that has such a close relationship with them.”
Ward earned her bachelor’s degree at the University of Arizona and thought Northwestern State could offer some unique opportunities.
“I think the fact we are able to attend this event shows the amazing teachers we have on our music faculty,” said Ward. “I would have never imagined I would have the opportunity to be taught by someone who has had a playing career like Dr. Stephen Clark has had. This opportunity is something I never expected or would have imagined would be a reality for me during my degree.”
Cooke also chose Northwestern State because of the opportunities he thought he would have.
“I chose NSU because of the amazing talented musicians. I knew from the start that I would be provided with such amazing opportunities,” said Cooke. “The faculty and staff in the music department at NSU go above and beyond to make sure that events like this are possible for students.”
Cooke and Ward each received additional assistance from the university to allow them to attend the Festival.
For more information on the Galway Flute Festival, go to galwayfluteacademy.com/festival. To learn more about Northwestern State’s music program go to nsula.edu/music.
