The Victorian Flute Guild

Flute Teacher Professional Development Day 2026
2026-05-02 09:30 - 12:30 (Australia/Melbourne) | St. Peter’s Eastern Hill, 15 Gisborne St, East Melbourne, Victoria, 3002
Professional Development for Flute Teachers
The Victorian Flute Guild presents a dedicated flute teacher professional development morning designed to strengthen both core pedagogy and modern studio practice.
This dual-session event brings together deep work on tone production and practical tools for smarter teaching — equipping flute teachers with both strong foundations and future-ready strategies.
Saturday 2 May 20269:30am – 12:30pmSt Peter’s Eastern Hill15 Gisborne Street, East Melbourne

Advanced Tone Production: Unlocking the Power of Air
Joanna Sullivan
A central pillar of effective flute teacher professional development is understanding how air truly functions in tone production.
Explore how air speed, direction, volume and preparation interact to support pitch, dynamics and expressive control — all without tension.
Joanna Sullivan brings more than 40 years of experience to flute pedagogy, combining her Victorian College of the Arts training with a Master of Music from the University of Queensland. Her research into how the brain learns and the importance of healthy habits underpins her publications The Fab Flute Player and Teaching Beginner Flute.
Teachers will gain:

A neuroscience-informed framework for teaching beginners correctly from day one
Practical strategies for building healthy, automatic fundamentals
Clear diagnostic tools for identifying and solving tone problems in more advanced students

AI for Flute Teachers: Practical Tools for Smarter Teaching
Paula Rae
Modern flute teacher professional development must also address efficiency and engagement in today’s studio environment.
This practical session introduces accessible AI tools that can help teachers:

Save time on lesson planning
Create engaging student activities
Streamline studio administration
Maintain artistry at the heart of their teaching

Paula Rae is a Melbourne-based flautist and educator, a founding member of Elision Ensemble and former Associate Principal Flute with Orchestra Victoria. As President of the Victorian Flute Guild, she is passionate about equipping flute teachers with practical, forward-thinking tools.

Details & Bookings
VFG Members: $25Non-Members: $50
Bookings via TryBooking:https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1548281?embed
Join us for a focused and inspiring morning of flute teacher professional development in Melbourne.

Leslie Barklamb Scholarship Showcase Concert 2026
2026-05-09 15:00 - 17:00 | Saint Peter’s Anglican Church Box Hill, 1038 Whitehorse Road, Box Hill, Victoria, 3128
Celebrate the art of flute playing at the Leslie Barklamb Scholarship Showcase Concert 2026, a special afternoon concert honouring the legacy of Leslie Barklamb and his enduring contribution to Australian flute performance and education.
This annual showcase features performances by the talented winners of all sections of the 2025 Leslie Barklamb Scholarship Competition, highlighting the breadth, depth and vitality of flute playing across our community. The program will also include a performance by the Victorian Flute Ensemble, presenting music that celebrates the flute’s expressive range and collaborative spirit.
A much-loved tradition, the concert will conclude with a massed flutes performance, inviting flautists in the audience to join in and make music together. Whether you are an experienced performer, a student, or simply enjoy playing for pleasure, this shared musical moment is open to all — just bring your flute.
Join us for an afternoon of fine music, community connection and celebration as we recognise emerging talent and continue the proud legacy of the Leslie Barklamb Scholarship.
Saturday 9 May 20263:00 pmSaint Peter’s Anglican Church1038 Whitehorse Road, Box Hill
Tickets:VFG Members / Concession – $20Non-members – $3015 and under – Free
Bookings via TryBooking.

32nd Flute Ensemble Competition 2026
2026-05-31 09:00 - 17:00 | Camberwell Grammar School, 55 Mont Albert Rd, Canterbury, Victoria, 3126, Australia
The 2026 Flute Ensemble Competition invites flute ensembles of all ages and experience levels to take part in one of the Victorian Flute Guild’s longest-running and most popular annual events.
Ensembles are welcomed across a wide range of categories, including Primary, 14 years and under, 16 years and under, 18 years and under, Open Section and Novice Section, with performance formats ranging from duets and mixed duets to small and large ensembles. This inclusive structure allows school groups, community ensembles and private entrants to participate in a supportive and encouraging environment.
Performances are assessed by experienced adjudicators from the Melbourne flute community, with each ensemble receiving constructive feedback to support musical development and ensemble skills. Since its beginnings in 1994 as part of the Melbourne Flute Festival, the competition has grown into a significant fixture on the VFG calendar, attracting ensembles from across Victoria.
Whether you are performing, supporting an ensemble, or attending as an audience member, the 2026 Flute Ensemble Competition is a celebration of collaborative music-making and the rich diversity of flute ensemble performance.
Download the entry form

53rd Annual Leslie Barklamb Scholarship - Preliminaries 2026
2026-08-30 09:00 - 14:00 | Camberwell Grammar School, 55 Mont Albert Rd, Canterbury, Victoria, 3126, Australia
The 2026 Leslie Barklamb Scholarship preliminaries invite young flautists to take part in one of Australia’s most respected and long-running flute competitions. Established to honour the legacy of Leslie Barklamb, the Scholarship continues to foster excellence, musicianship and artistic development in emerging performers.
The competition is open to flautists across multiple age groups, with sections for 11 years and under, 13 years and under, 15 years and under, 18 years and under, VCE, and the Leslie Barklamb Scholarship (25 years and under). Participants will be assessed by a panel of experienced adjudicators, with each performer receiving valuable feedback to support their musical growth.
Winners of the 11, 13 and 15 years and under sections, along with the VCE section, as determined on the day, will be invited to perform in the Leslie Barklamb Scholarship Finals Concert, held the following week. The 18 years and under and 25 years and under sections progress through to that final concert, where Scholarship recipients will be determined.
Whether competing or attending as a supporter, the 2026 Leslie Barklamb Scholarship preliminaries are a cornerstone of the Victorian flute calendar and a celebration of young talent and dedication to the flute.
Entries open: Monday 1 June 2026Entries close: Friday 7 August 2026
[Download the entry form]

53rd Annual Leslie Barklamb Scholarship - Finals Concert 2026
2026-09-04 19:00 - 21:00 | Armadale Baptist Church, 88 Kooyong Road, Armadale, Victoria, 3143, Australia
The 2026 Leslie Barklamb Scholarship finals bring together outstanding young flautists for an evening concert celebrating excellence, dedication and emerging artistry. This special event forms the culmination of the 53rd Annual Leslie Barklamb Scholarship Competition.
The concert features performances by invited finalists following the preliminary rounds, including winners of the 11, 13 and 15 years and under sections and the VCE section, as well as finalists in the 18 years and under and 25 years and under (Scholarship) categories. During the concert, the recipients of the senior awards will be determined.
Audiences are invited to enjoy a program showcasing a wide range of repertoire and performance styles, highlighting the musical development and individuality of each finalist. The 2026 Leslie Barklamb Scholarship finals are a highlight of the Victorian flute calendar and an opportunity to support young musicians at a pivotal moment in their musical journey.
Audience tickets available at the door.
[Download the entry form]

2026 AGM and Concert
2026-10-18 14:00 - 15:30 | Stonnington Community Uniting Church, 59 Burke Road, East Malvern, Victoria, 3145
Join us for the 2026 AGM and Concert, an afternoon bringing together community, music and shared participation within the Victorian Flute Guild.
The event will begin with a brief Annual General Meeting, followed by a short concert showcasing the three Victorian Flute Guild ensembles:

Valda Fouvy Group (directed by Kaye Duffell)

West Wind Flutes (directed by Renée Petale)

Victorian Flute Ensemble (directed by Carolyn Grace)

The concert highlights the breadth of flute playing within the Guild and celebrates collaboration across different playing levels and styles.
The afternoon will conclude with a massed flutes performance, with all attendees warmly invited to bring their flutes and join in making music together. A relaxed afternoon tea will follow, providing an opportunity to socialise and connect with fellow members of the Victorian flute community.
All Victorian Flute Guild members and members of the broader flute community are warmly invited to attend the 2026 AGM and Concert.
